Once again, the fastest marathon course in the world has drawn the crème de la crème of endurance runners to the start. The most successful marathon runner in the last twelve months will face the second- and third-fastest marathon runners of all times at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON on September 27. 

Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, who won the London Marathon in the spring of 2015 and the Chicago Marathon in October 2014, hopes to demonstrate that he is the best marathon runner in the world on September 27 in Berlin. However, he will be facing strong competition at the 42nd edition of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON. First, there is Emmanuel Mutai, who is the third-fastest marathon runner of all times, who last year at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON finished just behind the winner, Dennis Kimetto, who set a new world record in 2:02:57. Mutai, who did quite a bit of the pace work for this world record, finished in 2:03:13 hrs. The third in this top trio is Geoffrey Mutai (not related), who four years ago ran the classic distance of 42.195 km faster than anyone before him at his victory at the traditional Boston Marathon with a time of 2:03:02. Boston Marathon times, however, are not eligible for records or best times, as the total gradient of the course is too great (plus start/finish lines too far apart). 

All three athletes have this in common: They all have experience with the Berlin course and all have stood on the winners’ podium. Kipchoge was second with his personal best time of 2:04:05 in 2013, behind his fellow countryman, Wilson Kipsang, who set a world record (2:03:23). Last year, Emmanuel Mutai finished second, and Geoffrey Mutai had a spot on the podium twice: in 2010 behind Patrick Makau (2:05:10) after a race in the pouring rain, and in 2012 as the winner with a time of 2:04:15.

“We are delighted to have these three runners at the start, and with their qualifications, we can certainly look forward to exciting race,” says Race Director Mark Milde, who is responsible for signing the top runners at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON.

The BMW BERLIN MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM), the association of the six most important marathons in the world (Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York).

Brief portraits of the top three runners:

Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya, b. 5 November 1984
Best Time: 2:04:05 (Berlin 2013)

2003	Junior World Champion in Cross Country
	WCh 1st 5.000 m
2004	OlyGames 3rd 5.000 m
2007	WCh 2nd 5.000 m
2008	OlyGames 2nd 5.000 m
2010	CG 2nd 5.000 m
2013	1st Hamburg-Marathon
	2nd BMW BERLIN MARATHON
2014	1st Rotterdam Marathon
	1st Bank of America Chicago Marathon
2015	1st Virgin Money London Marathon

Emmanuel Mutai, Kenia, b. 12 October 1984
Best time 2:03:13 (Berlin 2014)

Marathon
2007	1st Rotterdam
2009	2nd WM
2010	2nd London
	2nd New York
2011	1st London
	2nd New York
2013	2nd London
	2nd Chicago
2014	2nd Berlin

Geoffrey Mutai, Kenia, b. 7 October 1981
Best time: 2:03:02 (Boston 2011)

Marathon
2010	2nd Rotterdam
	2nd Berlin
2011	1st Boston
	1st New York
2012	1st Berlin
2013	1st New York

WCh: World Athletics Championships
OlyGames: Olympic Games
CG: Commonwealth Games