Especially in the women's class where Gotytom Gebreslase won in his very first marathon.
In recent years, the Ethiopian has left 5,000 and 10,000 meters for longer races.
In Berlin, where the first of the big marathon races was now carried out without corona restrictions, she took a clear victory in the time 2.20.09, 1.14 minutes ahead of compatriot Hiwot Gebrekidan who was the runner with the best personal best time in the starting field.
- Winning in my first marathon was a big surprise and I am very happy.
But I had good preparations and came here with the ambition to win, says Gebreslase in the victory interview.
Third place was taken by Ethiopian Helen Tola, 2.56 after the winner.
The Swede Hanna Lindholm came twelfth with the time 2.33.23.
The heat affected
Despite the early start time, 9.15, it was hot for the runners who ran in 20-degree heat.
As the Ethiopian winner Guye Adola testified.
- The shoes became very hot, it felt like they were on fire, he says in the victory interview.
He won the men's class in 2.05.45, 29 seconds ahead of Kenyan Bethwel Yegon and 1.02 ahead of compatriot Kenenisa Bekele, who was the reigning title holder in the German marathon and the big favorite.
- I did not think I would win, but expected a good race together with Bekele, says Adola.
Eleven world best times have been set on the Berlin marathon track, but the heat put an end to new records this year.