This year's Berlin Marathon will fire the first starter's pistol for runners at 14:45 Beijing Time on September 27.
At present, the day's weather is expected to be 12°C–18°C, 72% humidity, with a light breeze — very good conditions, ideal for fast times.
With the "fastest World Marathon Major course" and "golden weather" working in their favor, which Chinese marathon elites will take to the streets of Berlin to chase better performances?
01
He Jie, Zhang Deshun,
the only two Chinese athletes on this year's official elite list
The Chinese athletes on this year's Berlin Marathon official elite list are only He Jie and Zhang Deshun.
Feng Peiyou and Jia Erenjia are representing the country at the Nagoya Asian Games. Other top athletes are, more or less, preparing for upcoming races.
In 2022 He Jie set a PB here of 2:11:18, and also witnessed the birth of that year's world record. This year his fastest time is 2:08:16, set in Seoul. What will He Jie's target be at this edition of the Berlin Marathon?
ForZhang Deshun, this will be her "Berlin debut."Zhang Deshun holds the national records for the half marathon and 10K; her speed needs no further elaboration. On this fast course, what kind of time she will produce is likewise highly anticipated.。
02
After the official elite list,
which Chinese elites can break records?
Following the official elite list,the men's and women's line-ups, led by Wu Xiangdong and Zhu Qing respectively, are also worth watching.
This edition of the Berlin Marathon will be Zhu Qing's first overseas World Marathon Major of her career — Zhu Qing being the nation's leading mass-participation female runner.On September 6 she ran 2:30:49 to break the Shenyang Marathon course record and take the domestic women's title. Such a performance,she viewed as using races as training, showing she is in peak form.
Wu Xiangdong's recent ankle cyst issue has drawn attention and concern from many runners, but in practice his training has been steady and improving.If the "President" really can stand beneath the Brandenburg Gate as scheduled, it will also be his first time on the Berlin course. Wishing the "President" a safe finish.
AdditionallyAlso, brand-sponsored athletes Wang Jiahao, Sheng Wang, Yang Zhangxing and others—whose PBs are all within the "2:14" mark—are heading to this edition of the Berlin Marathon. The first two elites posted their PBs in the first half of this year.Six months on, the results of their training will be revealed.
Also to follow areDi Yun, "Tiedan" Li Jian and his "Egg Gang" elite friends (Mao Huajie, Hou Liyan)After a full and productive training block in Yunnan, they aim to refresh their PBs.
"Da Zheng"Wang Lianzheng ran 2:28:56 at last year's Berlin Marathon and struggled in the heat; this year he admits he wants to make up for that disappointment.
On September 6, hesaid on social media that he had discomfort in his right Achilles tendon. Just yesterday he reported the Achilles has recovered well and that he's ready to head to Berlin. We also wish him the best in realizing his dream on the Berlin course.
In any case, let's all cheer for these elite runners outside the Asian Games and look forward to their performances on the "fastest course"!
[End-of-article interaction]
Text/Editor: Cavendish
Image source: Paoye Dabaozha
Visuals: Max
