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Karuku surprise winner in Berlin 25k

BERLIN RUNS, the new organiser of the traditional Berlin 25 k race, had a perfect start this Sunday. The 28th edition of what is Germany’s oldest big city road race produced high-class winning times: While Samuel Karuku (Kenya) surprisingly took th

BERLIN RUNS, the new organiser of the traditional Berlin 25 k race, had a perfect start this Sunday. The 28th edition of what is Germany’s oldest big city road race produced high-class winning times: While Samuel Karuku (Kenya) surprisingly took the men’s race with 1:13:49 his fellow countrywoman Peninah Arusei established a new course record of 1:24:10. Adding all running events 8,142 athletes from 23 nations had entered the event, which finished inside the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The figure was up by more than 1,000 runners compared to last year, showing that BERLIN RUNS is on its way to bring back the race to former glory. More than 50,000 spectators lined the course through Berlin’s city centre.

Among the total figure of 8,142 entries there were 6,012 runners for the 25 k distance. 1,628 had entered the 10 k event while 502 children ran a 2 k race. “This is a superb start for us. Entry figures are up by a big margin compared to a year ago. Additionally we got superb winning times. Combining the two winning times the race never ever had such high quality results,” said Race Director Gerhard Janetzky, who is also in charge of the AF Golden League Meeting DKB-ISTAF which will be staged on 1st June in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

“I had trained will and knew that I would be able to achieve a very good time,” said 28 year-old Samuel Karuku, who clocked a world class time of 1:13:49. It was the third fastest race in the history of the event, which was first started in 1981. The Chicago Marathon winner Patrick Ivuti (1:14:04) and Gilbert Chepkwony (1:14:11) placed second and third. For the eighth time in a row the winner came from Kenya.

The women’s race saw the expected battle between Peninah Arusei, who had won the race two years ago, and defending champion Flomena Chepchirchir (both Kenya). At the end Arusei was well ahead and broke the eight year-old course record set by world-class marathoner Susan Chepkemei (1:24:29). “I am happy to have won this race again and to have broken the course record. Now I will prepare for the track season,” said 29 year-old Peninah Arusei. Flomena Chepchirchir took second with 1:24:55. Arusei became the first woman to win the Berlin 25 k race and the half marathon in the same year.

Next year’s 25 k race will be staged on 10th May 2009. The Berlin Olympic Stadium will be the stage for the IAAF World Championships later in 2009 as well. Despite the finish being right at the venue of these championships local organisers did not cooperate with BERLIN RUNS so no advertisement was seen in the stadium.

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