Berlin Marathon ending sparks controversy
theGRIO REPORT - It isn't the close finish that has people talking, it's the manner in which both men crossed the line...
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won the BMW Berlin Marathon this past weekend, running it at just over world record pace at 2:04:15. Mutai crossed the finish line just one second before training partner and fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto finished.
It isn’t the close finish that has people talking, it’s the manner in which both men crossed the line. There was no sprint to the finish by either men, and Kimetto never attempted to pass Mutai.
The lackluster finish drew more buzz when Mutai was awarded the World Marathon Majors title with his victory in Berlin. In order to win the World Marathon Majors title, an athlete must win 3 out of 5 major marathons in the sports 2-year cycle. In 2011, Mutai won both the Boston and NYC marathons, making Berlin his third major marathon.
With the World Marathon Majors title, Mutai also received $500,000 in prize money, which some are speculating is the reasoning behind Kimetto allegedly letting his teammate cross the line first.
Watch the marathon recap, including the controversial ending, on Youtube.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.
