On September 27, 2026, the Berlin Marathon is about to fire the gun. In the updated elite list, He Jie and Zhang Deshun will tackle this famously fast course together. Japan has also entered 10 men’s elites and 4 women’s elites — a China–Japan showdown is about to unfold, and this year’s Berlin is sure to be packed with storylines!

Japan has as many as 10 male elite athletes: Kenya Sonota, Tsubasa Ichiyama, Kiyosumi Hirabayashi, Yuhei Urano, Hidekazu Hijikata, Yusuke Nishiyama, Naoki Koyama, Kazuya Nishiyama, Daisuke Uekado, and Shin Kimura. ([rikujyokyogi.co.jp](https://www.rikujyokyogi.co.jp/archives/214024?utm_source=openai)) The women's elite field includes four athletes: Rika Kaseda, Mao Uesugi, Natsuki Omori, and Rino Goshima. ([rikujyokyogi.co.jp](https://www.rikujyokyogi.co.jp/archives/214024?utm_source=openai))

In this round of the elite list, China’s men include only He Jie, and on the women’s side likewise only Zhang Deshun is listed.

In Berlin in 2022, He Jie and Qitian Jianye faced each other for the first time: He Jie ran 2:11:18 for 16th place, while Qitian Jianye ran 2:07:14 for seventh. This time the two return to Berlin for a rematch.

That year Qiao Laoye broke the world record for the second time; this year the two may again have the chance to witness a new record.

Based on personal bests, Qitian Jianye has also gone under 2:06. There are eight other Japanese elites who are sub-2:06, and the Japanese men hold the overall advantage.

However, in Tokyo in 2025, He Jie competed alongside Qitian Jianye, Shishan Yi, Puye Xiongpíng and Mucun Shen; He Jie ran 2:07:20, ahead of Qitian Jianye (2:08:14) and Mucun Shen (2:10:13).

In Seoul this year, He Jie (2:08:15) also beat Shangmen Dayou (2:09:03).

So, marathon is never just a paper comparison.

Zhang Deshun now holds China’s national records for the women’s 10 km road race and the women’s half marathon. In Tokyo 2025 she came close to the women’s marathon national record — this Berlin is very likely her chance to chase a new mark.

In addition, Kenyan star Sebastian Sawe (Sabastian Sawe) is also returning to Berlin with the new marathon world record; he won last year in 2:02:16.

Keep in mind Sawe remains undefeated in his marathon career — four races, four wins. Can that unblemished record be broken in Berlin?

Ethiopia brings as many as nine men’s elites this time — a large, powerful group — and Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay is also looming; who among them can challenge Sawe’s throne?

Ethiopian star 蒂格斯特·阿塞法 (Tigst Assefa) ran 2:11:53 to break the world record in Berlin in 2023, and at the 2026 London Marathon she set a women-only marathon world record of 2:15:41. Returning to Berlin, is Assefa aiming to crack 2:10?

Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru, although she managed only 2:21:05 last year in hot conditions, is still a sub-2:16 athlete and remains a rival who cannot be ignored.

With Bedatu Hirpa, Dera Dida and a host of other Ethiopian talents, the women’s title is far from decided.

On September 27 we’ll see who proves themselves on the course.

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