Even at press conferences, you’re not always safe from your own fans. When Kenenisa Bekele entered the conference room of a hotel on Budapester Strasse in Berlin on Friday, a man from the front row of seats gave him a long, oppressive look. Only when the Ethiopian has taken his seat does the man dare to ask Bekele for a photo together. He lifts his thumb while the cameramen position themselves around him for the first snapshot. Perhaps these images are not only going through the Berlin media, but all over the world.
Bekele is without a doubt the most exciting runner of the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, he is a potential world record runner. But Bekele is also: “a sphinx”. That’s what one of the best German long-distance runners said in the 1980s. Herbert Steffny won the Frankfurt Marathon three times and came third in the New York Marathon.
The 68-year-old has never let go of running to this day. He travels to the greatest races, writes articles and books about them. There are few people in Germany who know as much about the marathon as he does. He has the greatest respect for Kenenisa Bekele. “What he has already won, how many records he has already run, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time,” says Steffny. But a new world record on Sunday?
With a view to the weather: definitely. On Sunday it should be pleasantly warm, pleasantly dry and pleasantly calm in Berlin. But with a view to the exceptional runner himself: not necessarily. “Compared to the current record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Bekele is an unsteady runner. Sometimes he is unable to concentrate and has stumbling blocks, ”says Steffny. “But two years ago he just missed the world record in Berlin by a hair’s breadth.”
Bekele has not competed in a marathon for two years
The then 37-year-old crossed the finish line in 2:01:41 hours and was only a ridiculous two seconds above the Kipchoge world record, which is still valid today. As outstanding as Bekele’s performance was, the drama was just as great that he missed the 42.195 kilometer record by a tiny fraction.
The question now is whether Bekele was able to maintain or improve his form. And there are doubts. Bekele has not contested any marathon races for two years because of the corona pandemic. He was also denied larger training run groups. Add to that the age. Bekele is now 39 years old. You don’t have to worry about that, assured Bekele at the press conference. “I feel good.”
Steffny has his doubts. “I know it from myself. At 37, I was still running good times. In my late thirties, there was a kink. “The head resisted it, but at some point the body no longer wanted it that way, he says. It is all the more surprising that, despite his age, Bekele also wants to take part in the New York Marathon, which is only six weeks after the big run in Berlin. Top runners usually avoid such a dense series of marathons. Such a run requires a lot of regeneration.
Is it Bekele about the entry fees after a long break, or is the runner already on a farewell tour? “No, it’s not over yet,” he says on Friday. He is looking forward to the challenge on Sunday. He doesn’t use the word world record in his mouth. Obviously, after the long break, he knows too little about his own body. He is just happy to be able to compete again. “Like so many people, I had a hard time,” he says. “I was infected with Covid and couldn’t take part in any races for a long time.”
In summary, there is very little to suggest that a new world record for men will be set on Sunday. On the other hand, says Steffny, “Bekele may have more juice in her bones again because of the break”. Mentally, too, a break can bring great benefits. “Then you have a real bite again as a runner.”
The running shoes also speak for peak times. A great development has taken place here in recent years. High-soled shoes with built-in carbon plates relieve the muscles. “They give us a big advantage compared to before,” says Bekele.
In this respect, it is at least not completely ruled out that the miracle runner Bekele will break the world record time of Eliud Kipchoge on Sunday. “Kipchoge”, says Steffny full of admiration, “actually always delivers.” With Bekele, on the other hand, you simply don’t know where you are. “But that’s exactly what makes this great runner.”
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