Two world leads at BIG 25 Berlin

The BIG 25 Berlin have confirmed its position as the world’s leading 25 k race. Despite the warm weather world leads for the men and women were established at the Olympiastadion Berlin. While a year ago both world records were broken at the BIG 25 Berlin this time Mathew Kisorio (Kenya) clocked 1:12:13, which is the third fastest time ever run at the distance. The 21 year-old missed the world record of his fellow countryman Samuel Kosgei, who had finished with 1:11:50 in 2010, by just 23 seconds. Women’s winner Filomena Chepchirchir clocked 1:23:22, the fastest time so far in 2011. Adding other running events organisers of BERLIN RUNS registered 10,423 entries for the 31st edition of the BIG 25 Berlin.

“We have seen another great race with world-class times. Unfortunately it was a bit too warm for a world record. But therefore we had more spectators at the course than in the past,” said Race Director Gerhard Janetzky. “Today’s event certainly is among the very best in the history of the BIG 25 Berlin.”

In the men’s race a group of Kenyan favourites was on course for a world record until the half marathon mark. It was only on the final three kilometres, when Mathew Kisorio was running alone, that he could not quite keep the pace. “It is a fantastic event. Sadly it was too warm to break the world record,” said the 21 year-old, who had impressed with a fourth place at the IAAF’s World Cross Country Championships in March. With his time of 1:12:13 he was well ahead of fellow Kenyans Levi Matebo (1:12:46), Eliud Kiptanui (1:12:59), Nathaniel Kipkosgei (1:14:00) and Onesmus Serem (1:14:05). Tujuba Beyu (Ethiopia/1:14:50) and Japhet Kipkorir (Kenya/1:14:59) also finished inside 1:15, taking sixth and seventh places.

In the women’s race Filomena Chepchirchir had been regarded as the favourite. And the 29 year-old Kenyan confirmed this, when she appeared to dominate the race. Chepchirchir, who had won the BIG 25 Berlin in 2007 and had placed second the year after, clocked 1:23:22, which is the fourth fastest time ever in the history of the event and a personal best. She was well ahead of fellow Kenyans Diana Chepkemoi (1:26:14) and Christine Chepkemei (1:28:24).