Tigst Assefa, the Berlin Marathon champion, completed her victory in the race while suffering a complete rupture of her Achilles tendon. The Ethiopian athlete maintained a pace consistent with a world-record attempt for much of the 42.195-kilometer course before she began to struggle significantly in the final kilometers. Despite the severe injury, Assefa crossed the finish line in 2:11:04, recording the third-fastest women’s marathon time in history.
The Final Kilometers of the Berlin Marathon
Assefa’s performance remained dominant through the majority of the race, keeping her on track to challenge the women’s world record. However, according to accounts from her manager, Gianni Demadonna, the athlete began experiencing physical distress at the 31-kilometer mark. The pain intensified dramatically after 40 kilometers, forcing her to limp across the final section of the course.
Upon finishing, Assefa collapsed and was unable to participate in the scheduled post-race ceremonies or the press conference. She was transported directly to a medical facility for evaluation, where the extent of the damage to her Achilles tendon was confirmed. The injury resulted in her missing the world record of 2:09:56, which remains held by Ruth Chepngetich.
Surgical Intervention and Recovery Timeline
Following the race, Assefa was flown to Munich, where she underwent surgery on Monday morning. The procedure was performed at the BG Unfallklinik Murnau by Johannes Gabel, a specialist in foot and ankle surgery. Her manager, Demadonna, noted that the medical team is currently monitoring her post-operative progress.
The rehabilitation process is expected to be extensive. Assefa will be required to wear a protective splint and will be unable to run for at least six weeks. Medical projections suggest a recovery period of six to seven months before she can return to competitive racing. Demadonna indicated that while this timeline is subject to her recovery, a return for the London Marathon in April remains a potential, though unconfirmed, target.
Context of the Achievement
Despite the injury, Assefa’s time of 2:11:04 established a new course record for the Berlin Marathon. The race serves as a significant event on the international long-distance calendar, and Assefa’s ability to finish the distance under such physical conditions has been noted for its severity. The athlete shared a photograph on social media Sunday evening from a private aircraft, showing her wearing a medical boot, confirming her transition to the recovery phase.
Assefa, who previously secured silver medals at both the Paris Olympic Games and the Tokyo World Championships, remains under medical supervision as she begins her rehabilitation. Further updates regarding her status will depend on the success of the surgical intervention and her body’s response to the initial weeks of recovery.
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