Preview, schedule, stars and how to watch
The return of Eliud Kipchoge to the Berlin marathon makes it one of the most anticipated track and field events in 2022; the fastest man on the fastest track in the world.
On Sunday (September 25) things get even more exciting: a world record is possible as the Kenyan legend aims to become the second runner ever to win four Berlin Marathon titles.
Kipchoge will also use the event as preparation for his third marathon title attempt at the Olympics Paris 2024,
Elsewhere, keep an eye out for the defending champion Guy Adolaalmost surprised Kipchoge as a marathon debutant in 2017.
A world-class women’s field led by an American pair is also confirmed for the 48th edition of the event Sarah Hall and national record holder Keira d’Amato.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on Kenya’s reigning Valencia Marathon champions Nancy Jelagat Meto.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 Berlin Marathon, including the stars to watch out for, the race schedule and how to catch the action on Olympic Channel via our live stream on Olympics.com (times apply area restrictions).
Eliud Kipchoge wants to break another world record
Kipchoge’s return to Berlin, where he set the world record of 2:01:39 in 2018, means he could break it again.
He crushed compatriot Dennis Kimettos World record that day by one minute and 18 seconds.
“Berlin is the fastest course, this is where a person can show their potential to push the boundaries,” said Kipchoge, who has previously competed in the German city four times, when confirming his return.
Since Kipchoge’s world record run just four years ago Kenenissa Bekele has approached this mark with a 2:01:41 a year later in Berlin.
In 2019, Kipchoge became the first man to win the London Marathon four times and made history by being the only man to complete a 42km run in under two hours, albeit in controlled conditions.
The 37-year-old then defended his Olympic title in the marathon Tokyo 2020and returned to Japan last March and ran the fastest Tokyo marathon ever.
Kipchoge is considered the favorite for his fourth title in the German capital and entry into the exclusive four-star club.
Former marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie won four consecutive marathon titles between 2006 and 2009.
Berlin marathon: Stars in view
Since Kipchoge’s last race in Berlin, he has also had to cope with the worst finish of his marathon career. The marathon veteran finished eighth behind at the 2020 London event Shura Kitataa memory to keep him wary of another Ethiopian he will meet in Berlin: Adola.
In 2017, the largely unknown runner nearly upset the marathon king when he took charge of the final 5K. Kipchoge tactically managed to regain his lead with two kilometers to go and win what he called the “toughest” marathon of his career.
At 31, Adola is now a star of the sport. He beat another childhood hero, Bekele, in 2021 to win his first major.
He is the second fastest on the Berlin 2022 start list with a time of 2:03:46 and has plans to “achieve a time under 2:03:00”.
Who can be seen in the Frauenfeld in Berlin
American record holder Keira D’Amato is the fastest of the 21 elite runners in the women’s field with a time of 2:19:12 – her winning run at the 2022 Houston Marathon.
The 37-year-old is hoping to continue an impressive comeback to the sport that began in 2016. Finishing eighth at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, D’Amato showed little sign of a runner who was out of action after a streak of seven injuries in her post-college cross-county and track careers.
She will be joined by her compatriot Hall, who finished fifth in Eugene.
The Californian’s best finish in Berlin came in 2019 (fifth), and she has two marathon majors podiums. The 39-year-old, who is also listed for the 2022 New York Marathon, finished second at the 2020 London Marathon behind world record holder Brigid Kosgei and third in Chicago last year.
Also keep an eye on the East Africans, who are led by the other sub-2:20 runners in Kenya Nancy Jelagat Meto who travels to Berlin from the 2022 Valencia Marathon with a personal best of 2:19:31, and Vibian Chepkirui, Winner of the Vienna City Marathon in 2:20:59 in April.
The Ethiopians will be represented by the runners-up from the Prague marathon Gutemi Shine Imanaand Workenesh Edesa, who finished sixth at the 2019 Valencia Marathon.
Schedule for the Berlin Marathon 2022
The men’s and women’s elite race is scheduled to start at 9.15am CET.
The first race will be the Elite Wheelchair Marathon and the Wheelchair 10K
8:50 am ― Elite Handbiker Race
08:57 ― Wheelchair and handbiker races
09:15 a.m. ― Marathon start (in four waves)
This is how you see the Berlin Marathon 2022
There will be free online coverage for an international audience.
There will be live broadcasts in Germany ARD from 09:00 to 12:00 CET and RBB Broadcasts from 09:00 – 14:00