Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru announced herself to the world in style during the 2022 BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday, September 25.
The 27-year-old produced a spectacular performance to finish the race in 2:18:00 - the second fastest debut ever witnessed in full marathon history.
Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw recently ran the fastest full marathon debut when he clocked 2:17.23 to bag the 2022 Hamburg Marathon title.
Also Read: Kipchoge Wins Fourth Berlin Marathon Title, Equals Haile Gebrselassie’s Record
Wanjiru reached the 40Km mark in 02:10.10 behind Ethiopian runner Tigist Assefa who was enjoying herself in the streets of Berlin.
The latter crossed the same distance in 02:08.42 with compatriot Tigist Abayechew passing the mark in 02:10.15.
Wanjiru, who represented Kenya at the 2022 World Athletics Championships staged in Oregon, United States went on to register a second place finish behind Assefa.
Assefa, an African Under 20 silver medalist obliterated the field to cross the finishing line in 2:15.37.
Her time was the third fastest in history behind Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei and American Paula Radcliffe.
Kosgei broke Radcliffe’s 16-year-old record in 2019 at the Chicago Marathon when she reached the tape in 2:14:04. The previous mark of 2:15.25 was set by Radcliffe in 2003 at the London Marathon.
Race favorite Keira D’Amoto of the United States finished a distant 6th with Kenya’s Vibian Chepkirui settling for a 10th place finish in 2:22.21.
Also Read: Why I Want to Race Obama in Kenya - Kipchoge