Gladys Cherono to Chase Fourth Victory at Berlin Marathon

By Adam Kopet

Organizers for the BMW Berlin Marathon announced this week that two-time defending champion Gladys Cherono of Kenya will return in September to defend her title.

Cherono is a three-time winner in Berlin, having also won in 2015. Last year, she broke the course record, running 2:18:11.

Facing Cherono will be fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany and Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba.

This year, Cherono beat Keitany at the London Marathon. Cherono finished fourth and Keitany was fifth. Dibaba did not finish her only marathon this year, the Boston Marathon. However, all three women own personal bests under 2:20.