Eliud Kipchoge has won the Berlin Marathon for a record-breaking fifth time. This victory marks Kipchoge’s 16th win in 19 marathon races. He surpassed Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie to become the first man to achieve this feat. Kipchoge had previously won the Berlin Marathon in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, with the latter two victories being achieved in world record times.

In April of the same year, Kipchoge had a rare stumble in the Boston Marathon, finishing in sixth place due to leg issues. However, he bounced back in the 2023 Berlin Marathon, clocking in at 2:02:42 to secure his fifth title. During the race, Kipchoge faced competition from Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemboi and Ethiopia’s Tadese Takale, who finished second and third respectively in their marathon debuts.

Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Derseh Kindie made an early break from the rest of the field, maintaining a significant lead over the other elite men. However, the pair’s pace gradually dropped, and they were unable to break Kipchoge’s previous record. Despite this, Kipchoge’s main focus was on securing victory rather than setting records. At around the 31km mark, Kipchoge increased his tempo, leaving Kindie behind. The Kenyan runner maintained a comfortable lead, winning the race in 2:02:42.

Vincent Kipkemoi finished second with a time of 2:03:13, while Tadese Takele came in third with a time of 2:03:24. Nine men finished inside 2:05, making it the deepest men’s marathon in history. Additionally, Germany’s Amanal Petros and Switzerland’s Tadesse Abraham set national records during the race.

Eliud Kipchoge’s victory further solidifies his reputation as a marathon legend, and he continues to be a dominant force in the sport.