Tigst Assefa left Berlin with a third victory, a personal best and one of the fastest marathon times ever recorded. By the following day, she had undergone surgery on a completely ruptured right Achilles tendon.
The Ethiopian produced a remarkable 2:11:04 at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday September 27th, cutting 49 seconds from the time she set on the same course in 2023.
It was initially reported that cramp had ended her world record attempt during the closing stages. The diagnosis that followed has placed those painful final kilometres in an entirely different context.
A World Record Bid Changes In Seconds
For 40 kilometres, Assefa appeared to be heading towards the fastest women’s marathon in history.
She covered the opening 10km in 30:48 before recording further 10km sections of 30:46, 30:41 and 30:45. Her consistency left her clear of the field and placed the world record of 2:09:56 within reach.
Assefa reached 40km in 2:03:00, projecting a finishing time of around 2:09:44. She was still on course to take approximately 12 seconds from the global mark.
The picture changed almost immediately.
Assefa developed a pronounced limp and began grimacing as her speed fell sharply. The smooth stride that had carried her through most of Berlin was gone, leaving her fighting simply to reach the Brandenburg Gate.
Her huge advantage meant victory was never seriously threatened. Assefa crossed in 2:11:04, finishing five minutes and 49 seconds ahead of compatriot Bedatu Hirpa.
It was still the third fastest women’s marathon ever recorded, according to World Athletics, as well as a new Berlin course record and the quickest performance of Assefa’s career.
What Looked Like Cramp Was Far More Serious
Early reports attributed Assefa’s difficulties to severe cramp. That appeared a reasonable explanation as she struggled through the final stages before collapsing beyond the finish line.
The injury was considerably worse.
A Berlin Marathon spokesperson confirmed to the German Press Agency that Assefa underwent surgery on her Achilles tendon after the race. Her manager, Gianni Demadonna, subsequently described the injury as a complete rupture of the right Achilles.
Assefa was reportedly taken to Munich for the operation on Monday.
No public medical report has established the exact moment at which the tendon completely ruptured. It would therefore be inaccurate to state with certainty that she covered the entire final two kilometres with a complete rupture.
What is clear is that the problem developed during the closing stages and was serious enough to require surgery within a day of the race.
Around Six Months Away From Competition
Initial reports indicate that Assefa could be absent from competition for approximately six months.
That estimate would take her recovery into the spring of 2027 and disrupt the normal preparation period for the major spring marathons. A return date will depend on her recovery and rehabilitation rather than an early forecast.
The injury arrives while Assefa is at the height of her marathon career.
She won the 2022 Berlin Marathon in 2:15:37 before returning the following year to set a world record of 2:11:53. That mark stood until Ruth Chepngetich ran 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024.
Assefa has since claimed an Olympic silver medal, a world silver medal and consecutive victories at the London Marathon. She also holds the women only marathon world record.
A Victory That Now Looks Very Different
Assefa’s third Berlin victory initially looked like a brilliant performance damaged by an agonising final two kilometres.
The confirmed injury makes the achievement far more difficult to comprehend.
She ran through a sudden and severe physical problem, still improved her personal best by 49 seconds and completed the race with the third fastest women’s marathon in history.
There was no world record celebration at the Brandenburg Gate. Instead, Assefa collapsed after the finish and required immediate assistance.
The full cost of the performance only became clear the following day.
Assefa now faces surgery recovery and months away from racing. Her pursuit of the world record will have to wait, but the 2:11:04 she recorded in Berlin carries a very different significance now that the extent of her injury is known.
