Kipchoge is ready to conquer the Berlin Marathon 2023
Kipchoge confirmed his participation in the Berlin Marathon from July 13. This will be his sixth time running this major. In the previous five times, the Kenyan runner won four, in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022. In which, he set a record of running 2 hours 1 minute 39 seconds in 2018, breaking the record of 2 hours 2 minutes 57 seconds set by the bronze medal. set by Dennis Kimetto in 2014. In the 2022 tournament, Kipchoge broke his own record with 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds.
The race on September 24 will mark the return of this legend after he failed at the Boston Marathon in April. As he confided on the NN Running team's Youtube, the Berlin Marathon is a stepping stone for him to prepare for the race. Paris 2024 Olympics - where he also aims to win the marathon gold medal for the third time in a row. At Rio 2016 and Toyko 2021, Kipchoge won with 2 hours 8 minutes 44 seconds and 2 hours 8 minutes 38 seconds respectively.
Before leaving for Germany, Kipchoge did not mention a specific goal. But the 38-year-old runner is confident that careful preparation with his coach and teammates at Iten headquarters, Kenya over the past several months will help him be ready to face all challenges on the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Kipchoge said: "I'm trying my best to prepare, making sure I play the best I can. I'm dedicated to training with my team, doing every drill and trusting in the planning and preparation process." for this major. I'm ready to return to a special place for me, return to Berlin to once again take on the challenge."
The Berlin Marathon is an annual running event that takes place in the city of Berlin, a member of the six largest running tournaments on the planet - World Marathon Majors (WMM), in addition to tournaments in New York, Boston, Chicago, London and Tokyo.
According to Runner's World, Berlin is an ideal place for runners to conquer world records, partly thanks to the flattest track among the six most prestigious marathons on the planet and having a pacer. Since 2003, the men's marathon world record has been broken eight times, and all in Berlin. Meanwhile, no female runner has broken the record of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds set by Japanese runner Naoko Takahashi in 2001.
Among potential opponents, Kelvin Kiptum - the second fastest marathon runner in history, with 2 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds at the London Marathon on April 23 - decided not to attend the Berlin Marathon to focus on the Chicago Marathon on October 8. . But the challenge for Kipchoge will come from elites like compatriots Amos Kipruto (PB - best personal record: 2 hours 3 minutes 13 seconds), Jonathan Maiyo (2 hours 4 minutes 56 seconds), Eliud Kiptanui (2 hours 5 minutes 21 seconds). Former Eritrean world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (2 hours 5 minutes 34 seconds), German runner Amanal Petros (2 hours 6 minutes 34 seconds), Swiss runner Abraham Tadese (2 hours 6 minutes 38 seconds) are the opponents. other potential attackers.
