It was perfect conditions when the Berlin Marathon was decided on Sunday morning. 14 degrees warm and many world runners in place, runners who have thus chosen the World Cup marathon.
The battle for victory eventually became tough between two countrymen. Keninisa Bekele caught up with Birhane Legese after 35 km, and decided that fight pretty soon. Bekele ran the first half at 1.01.05 and thus the second half slightly faster, at 1.00.36. But despite a fine spurt, Bekele did not reach Kipchoge's record from last year.
Högby IF's David Nilsson made a fine run and broke a personal record in Berlin. He scored a fine of 2.11.50, the best Swedish marathon time of 29 years (Åke Eriksson's 2.10.52 in Chicago 1990) and the fourth best time ever. The Swedish record still has Kjell-Erik Ståhl from 1983 (2.10.38).
Despite the fine time, David Nilsson missed the Olympic qualifying time, which is set at 2.11.30.