Ethiopian distance runner Tigst Assefa is scheduled to undergo surgery in Munich on Monday after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury during the final kilometers of the Berlin Marathon on Sunday. Her manager, Gianni Demadonna, confirmed that her right tendon ruptured during the race, cutting short what was tracking toward a historic world record finish.
Achilles Tendon Surgery Scheduled in Munich
Assefa will be operated on by Dr. Johannes Gabel, chief physician of foot and ankle surgery at the BG Unfallklinik Murnau, a trauma hospital south of Munich. According to Gianni Demadonna, speaking to Kenya’s Pura Vida Sports Africa, the procedure has full assistance from Adidas. Athletics Weekly has characterized the injury as a partial rupture of the tendon. Race director Mark Milde initially confirmed to Agence France-Presse that an acute issue with Assefa’s right Achilles had derailed her finish.
Berlin Marathon Record Pace Collapses in Final Kilometers
Up until the 40-kilometer mark, Assefa’s race unfolded precisely to plan. She reached the 35-kilometer split in 1:47:32, running 14 seconds ahead of the pace set during Ruth Chepngetich’s world record of 2:09:56. Passing the 40-kilometer mark at 2:03:00, she held a comfortable 6-minute and 55-second cushion for the final 2.195 kilometers. However, physical distress caused her stride to deteriorate dramatically over the closing stretch.
The final 2.195 kilometers required 8 minutes and 4 seconds to complete, destroying her buffer and costing her a shot at the €50,000 ($57,000) world record bonus. Despite the collapse, she crossed the finish line in 2:11:04, securing her third Berlin Marathon title following victories in 2022 and 2023. Her time shaved 49 seconds off her own previous Berlin course record of 2:11:53 set in 2023, making it the third-fastest women’s marathon in history. Immediately following the race, she sat down near the finish line, removed her shoes, and received assistance from Haile Gebrselassie before being transported to a hospital in Berlin.
Marathon Season Toll on Elite Distance Runners
Assefa’s injury follows a demanding racing schedule that included a victory at the London Marathon in April with a time of 2:15:41, establishing a women-only world record. Berlin marked her second marathon in five months. The incident also places her among several elite distance runners sidelined by Achilles tendon issues this year. Sifan Hassan withdrew from the London Marathon in March due to an Achilles injury sustained on a treadmill, while Jakob Ingebrigtsen underwent surgery for a chronic Achilles problem in February.
Gianni Demadonna estimated that Assefa’s recovery and rehabilitation will require approximately six months, which will likely prevent her from returning to competitive racing until next spring at the earliest.
Timeline of Events at the Berlin Marathon
April: Assefa wins the London Marathon in 2:15:41, setting a women-only world record.
Sunday, 35K Mark: Assefa passes the checkpoint in 1:47:32, running 14 seconds ahead of world record pace.
Sunday, 40K Mark: Reaches 40 kilometers in 2:03:00 before her stride deteriorates.
Sunday Finish: Wins the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04, setting a course record despite the injury.
Monday: Scheduled for Achilles tendon surgery in Munich with Dr. Johannes Gabel.
What specific injury did Tigst Assefa sustain?
Her manager, Gianni Demadonna, confirmed that her right Achilles tendon broke during the final kilometers of the race. Athletics Weekly reported the injury as a partial rupture.
Who will perform the surgery?
Dr. Johannes Gabel, chief physician of foot and ankle surgery at the BG Unfallklinik Murnau, will perform the operation in Munich.
How long is her expected recovery period?
Her management team estimates that recovery and rehabilitation will take approximately six months.
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