Kenenisa Bekele sets sights on world record

September 25, 2021

Kenenisa Bekele, who will defend his title at the BMW Berlin Marathon this Sunday (26 Sept), said he would race more confidently than he did in 2019.

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In 2019, Bekele clocked the second-best ever time of 2:01:41. “I have prepared well, but the pandemic hasn’t made it easy in the last two years,” he said.

“At the time, it wasn’t clear whether I could run that fast. This time I have more confidence and will do my best. Sunday may not be my last chance of the world record. I want to run a couple of years more.”

Quoted by AFP, he added: “When I come to Berlin, I am trying for a personal best and the world record.”

Meanwhile, Bekele’s agent, Jos Hermens, shared the athlete’s optimism over his longevity. He said of the 39-year-old: “Kenenisa has energy and the ability to be right up front at over 40.”

Bekele’s coach added that his athlete is better prepared than two years ago when he missed the world record by two seconds.

Haji Adilo said: “This time he goes hoping for better results, and he is better prepared than he was in the last race in Berlin. He’s healthy and is in great shape and form. He is confident of the race coming this weekend.”