News Archive

Naoko Takahashi (JAP) was the first woman ever to break the 2.20 barrier in the

marathon when she clocked 2.19.46 to win the 28th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on

September 30, 2001, opening a new chapter in the history of the famously fast

Berlin course.

The SCC marathon organizers have now submitted the complete record documents

for recognition by the IAAF in Monaco. The documents show that Takahashi set a

total of three world records on the way to her legendary Berlin achievement,

passing 25 km in 1.22.31, 30 km in 1.39.02 and 42.195 km in 2.19.46

Mark Milde, elite athlete coordinator of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, saw it

coming and had official clerks of the Berlin Athletics Association record

Takahashi’s split times at the 25k and 30k marks of the course. This was

a precondition for the records to be officially recognized. Although the

marathon world best was bettered only a week later in Chicago, the 25 km and 30

km records still stand. Berlin’s proud tally now includes a total of

eight world records set along the streets of this city.

It all started in 1977 with Christa Vahlensieck, followed in 1988 by Dadi

Tesfaye (junior world record), 1997 by Kenya (world record for national teams),

1998 by Ronaldo da Costa (men’s) and 1999 by Tegla Loroupe

(women’s).

Almost unnoticed went the new Swiss record achieved in this year’s

real,- BERLIN-MARATHON by Viktor Röthlin who finished 10th in 2.10.54. It

was the 30th national record set in the Berlin marathon history.

Arguably on a par with the outstanding results of the marathon is the

half-marathon best of 59.52 by Fabian Roncero in the 21st BERLINER HALBMARATHON

on April 1, 2001, which still is the fastest time run this year, and the second

European record set on the ultra-fast course after Carsten Eich’s 1.00.34

way back in 1993.