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BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Tigst Assefa Sends Message from Hospital Following Surgery

Tigst Assefa left her mark on the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with an impressive course record while also delivering a dramatic race. The 29-year-old Ethiopian won last Sunday in 2:11:04, significantly improving her own course record. Until shortly before the finish, she was even on world-record pace.

At kilometre 40, Assefa’s race took a dramatic turn.

Due to a sudden problem with her right leg, she was only able to continue running with a limp. Subsequent examinations revealed that she had ruptured the Achilles tendon in her right leg. Tigst Assefa has since undergone successful surgery at a hospital south of Munich. During a visit, she sent a personal message via SCC EVENTS, organiser of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, to the global running community.

“I would like to send my warmest greetings to everyone. My surgery went well. I am overwhelmed by the tremendous support I have received from all over the world. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone for their incredible support and concern.”

And Assefa is already looking ahead. Her message to the running community, and especially to everyone in Berlin, is clear: “I will definitely come back to Berlin, and then I will break the world record.”

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