Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang and Zersenay Tadese To Run Berlin Marathon

By Adam Kopet

The BMW Berlin Marathon organizers announced Monday that Eliud Kipchoge will compete in the 2018 event.

Kipchoge, the third fastest marathoner in history, is a two-time winner in Berlin, including last year when he ran 2:03:32 in heavy rain. He is also the reigning Olympic champion in the marathon and a three-time London Marathon winner.

In the spring to 2017, Kipchoge took part in Nike's Breaking2 event where he ran 2:00:25. That time was the fastest ever recorded by a runner, but it was not record eligible.

Also announced for the 2018 race are former world record holder Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea. Kipsang set a world record 2:03:23 at the 2013 Berlin Marathon. Kipchoge finished runner-up in that race, in his only loss. Kipsang has a best of 2:03:13 from a second place finish at the 2016 Berlin Marathon.

Tadese holds an official best of 2:10:41 from the 2012 London Marathon. However, he ran 2:06:51 in the Breaking2 event.

The 2018 Berlin Marathon is scheduled for Sep. 16. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Seven of the top-10 marathon times have been run in Berlin.