Jonathan Gault spoke to Bekele's coach Haji Adilo and his agent Jos Hermens to get the scoop on the 39-year-old's preparations ahead of Sunday's Berlin Marathon. Adilo was very bullish on Bekele saying he thought the prep work had gone a little bit better than two years ago when he ran 2:01:41.
- MB: Set your alarm clocks now. Bekele's coach: "He's in perfect shape now....I think [he can break the WR]."
- Jos Hermens: "He’s ready, he’s motivated, he’s in a good mood, good shape — and he’s a tough competitor....Kenenisa is not going to come to run 2:04 — and also not 2:03.” Hermens says the first half split hasn't been determined but he thinks it will be 61 flat.
- A look at the Kenyans who are racing Berlin 2018 Abu Dhanbi and 2019 Rotterdamn champ Marius Kipserem (2:04:11) leads the way on paper.
- Berlin Returns With 25,000 Runners; Acknowledges Natural Immunity To COVID Runners need to either be vaccinated, recovered from COVID or have a negative COVID test.
- Bekele Says He Had COVID 9-Months Ago And It Took About A Month To Get Over "I am fine now."
- Kenenisa Bekele's Coach, Haji Adelo, Says Bekele Is "Better Prepared" Than When He Almost Broke The WR Two Years' Ago
- Berlin TV/Streaming Info (3:15 am ET, 9:15 am local)