This weekend, the Real Berlin Marathon solidified it's position as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world with some impressive performances. Leading the pack was Kenya's Patrick Makau, who took 21 seconds off Ethiopia's Halie Gebrselassie's 2008 world record. Makau and the leaders, including Gebrselassie who had to drop out at 22 miles with a case of exercise induced asthma, blazed through the half way point 1:01:44. After that Makau never looked back, he went on to finish in 2:03:38. Makau's world record, his first, marks the first time in 4 years that the marathon world record is back in Kenyan hands, and will certainly increase the two nations running rivalry going into the 2012 London Olympics.
Makau after crossing the finish line in Berlin
In the women's race Kenya's Florence Kiplagat won in 2:19:44, which should make her a strong prospect for Kenya's 2012 Olympic marathon team. Former Berlin winner Irina Mikitenko of Germany was second in 2:22:18, and world record holder Paula Radlciffe was third in 2:23:46. Though she seemed disappointed in post race interviews, her finish should certainly be strong enough to secure her place on Great Britain's Olympic marathon team. And with some 10 months to go before the Olympic marathon, I can see at least a dozen men and women - including some from the United States - who could contend for podium spots in London.
Keep exploring the limits!
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