Tigist Assefa, an Ethiopian runner, made history by breaking the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:11:53 at the BMW Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023. Her achievement was recognized by World Athletics and exceeded the previous record by over two minutes.
Assefa started the race as part of a competitive pack of runners, but she and her fellow Ethiopian runner Workenesh Edesa were able to break away from the group by the time they reached the 15km mark in 47:26. Assefa took charge of the race and maintained her pace, covering the 25-35km section in just 31:02. She was well ahead of world record pace at the halfway point and continued to push herself until she crossed the finish line in a record-breaking time of 2:11:53.
Assefa expressed her gratitude for her historic achievement and hoped that it would inspire young women athletes in Ethiopia to follow their dreams and pursue excellence in sports. She also expressed her excitement for Ethiopia’s upcoming participation in the Paris Olympics and believed that this achievement could serve as motivation for her country to excel on a global stage.
The power of dedication, perseverance, and talent was evident in Assefa’s remarkable feat, which demonstrates that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
