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Ethiopian Tigist Assefa ran the third fastest marathon performance of all-time Sunday in Berlin, finishing with a 2:15:37 clocking for the win. Her performance stands behind only former world record holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain at 2:15:25 and current world record holder Brigid Kosgei of Kenya with her 2:14:04.

Taking second place was Kenyan Rosemary Wanjiru recording a 2:18:00 while finishing in third place was Tigist Abayechew of Ethiopia in 2:18:03.

American record holder Keira D’Amato did well to finish in the time of 2:21:48 and in sixth place. She was back in the field for much of the race, but picked off several runners during the latter miles.

D’Amato appeared to perhaps start a little fast, perhaps looking to improve upon her own American record of 2:19:12 from January 2022. The typical fast start to the Berlin event puts the athletes in good position to go after bests and records.

Canada’s Natasha Wodak had another tremendous race improving Malindi Elmore’s national record of 2:24:50 with her 2:23:12 performance. Like the elite athletes, the start was fast, the middle was strong and the finish offered up some of the fastest running of the day. Wodak finished in 12th place and like D’Amato, picked off some competitors late.

Wodak previously held the national 10,000m record at 31:41.59, half-marathon record at 69:41 — and was the first Canadian to go sub-70. The 40-year-old Vancouver native also holds the national 8K road best of 25:28.

Sometimes training partner Elmore set the record in Houston at 2:24:50 in January 2022 at age 41. The two fastest Canadian women are masters, 40-plus age-group runners.

Although there has been a youth movement in the marathon, the top athletes are proving that running a marathon near 40-years of age can be world-class. Kipchoge with the new world record from the same event is 37, as is D’Amato. Wodak will be 41 in Dcember.