Overview

• Samuel Fitwi, Germany’s marathon record holder, has officially declined to compete at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
• Fitwi plans to participate in a major city marathon this autumn, though the specific race has not yet been determined.
• The decision was made in consultation with the German Athletics Association (DLV), which was informed and agreed to his choice.
• Fitwi secured his World Championships qualification in December 2024 by setting a German marathon record of 2:04:56 in Valencia.
• The overlap of the Tokyo Worlds (September 13–21) with the Berlin Marathon on the final day highlights growing calendar conflicts and the financial appeal of city marathons for elite runners.