Berlin Marathon winner limped to the finish after Achilles injury

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia won the Berlin Marathon despite suffering a complete rupture of her right Achilles tendon near the end of the race, according to her representative Gianni Demadonna. Assefa was on pace to challenge the women’s world record in Sunday’s race, but began limping with about two kilometres left and finished in visible pain. She crossed the line in 2:11:04, the thirdfastest women’s marathon time ever, and later collapsed before receiving medical attention. She was taken to a hospital near Munich for surgery on Monday and is expected to use crutches for several weeks while beginning recovery. Demadonna said it is too early to know exactly when she will return to competition, though rehabilitation is now underway.