Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele has won the 2019 edition of the Berlin Marathon, coming just two seconds short of beating the world record currently held by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge.

Bekele ran 2:01:41, and missed the World Record by 2 seconds.

Bekele was faster than Kipchoge at 40km. By only 2 seconds – 1:55:30 for Bekele vs 1:55:32 for Kipchoge. But Kipchoge’s final 2.2km were 4 seconds faster than Bekele’s today.

Bekele staged an astonishing comeback to clock 2:01:41, setting the second-fastest time in history. Fellow countryman Birhanu Legese who dominated the better part of the race finished second in 2:02:48, becoming the third fastest marathon runner ever.

Sisa Lemma emerged third in 2:03:36, as the trio completed an all Ethiopian podium in the race.