During the recent Berlin Marathon, Tigst Assefa appeared poised to reclaim her world record up until the 40-kilometer mark. The Ethiopian runner had established a significant lead of over a minute within the first 10 kilometers, positioning herself in a race against the clock.
By the time she reached the 30-kilometer mark, Assefa was maintaining a pace that suggested she could finish in under the world record time of 2:09:56, held by Ruth Chepng’etich of Kenya. Chepng’etich’s record, set during the 2024 Chicago Marathon, has come under scrutiny due to her admission of a doping violation, which resulted in a three-year ban from competition. However, her record remains intact as there are no allegations regarding doping during her Chicago performance.
Assefa was on track to eclipse Chepng’etich’s mark, but just 2 kilometers from the finish line, she began to show signs of distress, ultimately limping her way to the finish. She completed the marathon in a time of 2:11:04, 68 seconds behind the world record, marking the third-fastest time ever recorded and earning her a victory in Berlin, along with a new course record.
Following the race, it was disclosed that the 29-year-old athlete had suffered a “complete rupture of the right Achilles tendon” and had to undergo surgery. Assefa experienced pain in her Achilles tendon starting at the 31-kilometer point but continued to push through until the injury became severe.
The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone, facilitating movement by lifting the heel during activity. Zoe Russell, a sports physiotherapist, explained that while painful tendons typically do not rupture, Assefa’s situation was unusual and could indicate a serious underlying injury.
Associate Professor Peter Malliaras, a physiotherapist, described an Achilles tendon rupture as a significant injury that severely limits daily activities, including walking and running. Assefa’s representative, Gianni Demadonna, revealed that by the end of the race, Assefa had effectively lost function in her tendon, struggling to run the last 500 meters.
Despite the injury, Assefa managed to finish the race at a competitive pace, likely aided by the high-tech running shoes incorporating carbon plates that may have helped mitigate the lack of propulsion from her forefoot.
After completing the marathon, Assefa collapsed in distress, prompting immediate medical attention, including assistance from Ethiopian long-distance running icon Haile Gebrselassie. She was airlifted to Munich by her sponsor, Adidas, where she underwent complex surgery the following day.
While the specifics of the surgery remain unclear, Russell emphasized the importance of prompt medical intervention in cases of Achilles ruptures to prevent complications during recovery. Assefa’s coach, Gemedu Dedifo, confirmed that Assefa had successfully undergone surgery within 24 hours of the injury and expressed confidence in her resilience and potential for recovery.
From her hospital bed, Assefa communicated with the Berlin Marathon organizers, expressing gratitude for the support she received and her determination to return to the sport. She declared, “My surgery went well… I will definitely come back to Berlin, and then I will break the world record.”
Berlin has a storied history of world records, with a total of 13 set at the marathon since 1974, owing to its flat course and conducive racing conditions.
