A course record with a limp: the two sides of Assefa’s Berlin win
Tigst Assefa won in 2:11:04, but an injury around 40 kilometres interrupted her world-record attempt.
Events: 27 Sept 2026
Sources checked:
Development date:
Sources: 2 traceable sources
About the editorial teamEditorial standardsSuggest a correction
Tigst Assefa won the Berlin Marathon on 27 September 2026 in a course record of 2:11:04. The finishing time records an outstanding victory, but the closing kilometres tell another part of the story.
The record attempt changed at 40 kilometres
According to the organiser’s report, an injury to her right leg ended her pursuit of the world record around that point. Assefa finished with a limp and was taken to hospital for examination.
Winning a race, setting a course record and breaking a world record are three different achievements. In Berlin, the first two happened; the third did not. The injury does not remove the victory from the results, but it belongs in any account of the finish.
Our weekend analysis explores the record boundaries in women’s marathon running.
