Berlin, Germany (Running Africa) — Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa won the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04 on Sunday, setting a new course record despite suffering a complete Achilles tendon rupture in the closing stages of her world-record attempt.

Assefa had been on world-record pace for much of the race and was still projected to finish under 2:10 at the 40-kilometre mark.

But the 29-year-old began limping heavily over the final kilometers before reaching the finish line and collapsing.

Her manager later confirmed that Assefa had suffered a complete rupture of her Achilles tendon. She underwent surgery in Munich on Monday.

Tigst Assefa Sets Berlin Marathon Course Record

Despite the injury, Assefa finished in 2:11:04, improving the Berlin Marathon course record she set with her 2:11:53 victory in 2023.

Her latest performance ranks as the third-fastest women’s marathon in history, behind Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich at 2:09:56 and Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay at 2:10:51.

Assefa had been chasing the women’s marathon world record before the late injury ended her attempt.

The Ethiopian distance star is also the Paris 2024 Olympic marathon silver medalist.

Ethiopia Sweeps Women’s Berlin Marathon Podium

Assefa led an Ethiopian sweep of the women’s podium in Berlin.

Bedatu Hirpa finished second in 2:16:53, while Dera Dida took third just two seconds later in 2:16:55.

The result underlined Ethiopia’s dominance in the women’s race despite Assefa’s dramatic injury in the closing stages.

Guye Adola Wins Men’s Berlin Marathon

Ethiopia also claimed the men’s title as Guye Adola won in a personal best of 2:02:50, reclaiming the Berlin Marathon crown.

Compatriot Gemechu Dida finished second, while Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay completed the podium in third.

The results gave Ethiopia both the men’s and women’s titles, as well as four of the six podium positions across the two elite races.