Kenyan champion Rosemary Wanjiru faces a formidable challenge at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday as she defends her title against the world's second-fastest marathoner, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa.

• Rosemary Wanjiru is targeting a sub-2:15:00 time.
• The elite field includes Tigst Assefa, a celebrated runner on the Berlin course with double wins in 2022 and 2023.
• Wanjiru, who won in 2025 with a time of 2:21:05, is seeking redemption in Germany.