STORYLINE:

Top marathon runners Eluid Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang and Zersenay Tadese joined Tirunesh Dibaba, Glady Cherono and Edna Kiplagat in the shadow ot the famous Brandenburg Gate to look ahead to the Berlin Marathon in Germany on Friday (14th September).  

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Two days before there 45th Berlin Marathon takes place in the German capital, some of the favourites for the men's and women's races were invited to the famous Brandenburg Gate to promote the event.

The Berlin marathon has adopted the nickname 'the fastest marathon in the world' on the back of ten world record having been set on the course over the years.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, the current men's Olympic champion and Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, the 2008 and 2012 Olympic 10,000 metres champion, will both start as favourites in the men's and women's races.

However, it will not be a stroll for either on Sunday.

While he might carry the favourite's tag with ease, the pressure is on Kipchoge to break a world record that was set in Berlin four years ago by his compatriot Dennis Kimetto at 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds.   

Kipchoge has got as close as 2:03:05.

He has also won his last eight marathons in a run stretching back to Berlin in 2013.

Lining up against Kipchoge will be fellow countrymen Wilson Kipsang, Eliud Kiptanui and Amos Kipruto, plus Abera Kuma of Ethiopia.

Kipsang ran well at Tokyo in 2017, taking first place ahead of compatriots Gideon Kipketer and Dickson Chumba in a time of 2:03:58, but he dropped out of the Berlin run last year.

Kiptanui and Kipruto are experienced campaigners both with personal bests around 2 hours and five minutes.

Kuma has also been on the circuit for several years, though his personal best came just this spring, a 2:05:50 time in Rotterdam.

The women's race is more evenly balanced.

The main threat to Dibaba is likely to come from her fellow Ethiopians Aselefech Mergia and Ruti Aga, and Kenyan pair Gladys Cherono and Edna Kiplagat.  

Cherono won the Berlin marathon for the second time last year and, along with the other prominent names, will be hoping that their greater experience can be brought to bear on Dibaba, who will be competing in only her fifth marathon.   

However, that might just mean that the best of Dibaba is yet to come.

Her personal best of 2:17:56 places her behind only Paula Radcliffe and Mary Keitany on the all-time list.

Hotel Intercontinental and Brandenburg Gate Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 14th September 2018.

1. 00:00 Rio Olympic marathon champion Eluid Kipchoge (right) is greeted by a firend prior to the press conference

2. 00:07 Eluid Kipchoge (left) sitting with Wilson Kipsang (centre) and Zersenay Tadese (right) at the beginning of press conference

3. 00:11 Kipchoge, Kipsang and Tadese walk onto stage

4. 00:17 SOUNDBITE (English): Zersenay Tadese, Eritrea:

"Yes I hope so, because I have prepared well and I will try my best."

5. 00:27 Cutaway camera

6. 00:31 Kipchoge, Kipsang and Tadese in profile

7. 00:36 SOUNDBITE (English): Eluid Kipchoge, Kenya:

"My last race was in London in April and after going back to training, all has been well, up to the last of my training sessions at the beginning of this week and I can assure you that we will have a good race on Sunday..."

(Q: So you're only focused on Berlin, you're not doing any other races?)

"No. Absolutely my full focus is on this race."

8. 01:04 Cutaway camera

9. 01:09 SOUNDBITE (English): Wilson Kipsang, Kenya:

"For me I think my last race was, in which I did very well, was last year in New York, but this year running in New York wasn't well (doesn't fit the schedule), but all true, I've just been training and preparing for Berlin."

10. 01:22 Wide shot of stage

11. 01:29 SOUNDBITE (English): Wilson Kipsang, Kenya:

"I think all has really been going very well. I'm really focusing so much, I think what is left for me is to secure it on Sunday."

12. 01:40 Tadese and Kipchoge in profile

13. 01:45 SOUNDBITE (English): Wilson Kipsang, Kenya:

"If I try to look back to 2013 when I broke the world record, I ran a negative split so that is... basically my plan run under 6130 (one hour, one minute and 30 seconds), which is a world record pace, but run a negative split in the second half (of the race)."

14. 02:02 Wide of press conference.

15. 02:06 SOUNDBITE (English): Eluid Kipchoge, Kenya:

"Its already in the back of my mind... I will try my best to run in Tokyo."

16. 02:15 Wie shot Kipchoge and Kipsang on stage

17. 02:19 SOUNDBITE (English): Eluid Kipchoge, Kenya:

(on his experience of Japanese marathon runners)

"Oh, I met two of them last June when I visited Tokyo and they are preparing very well towards 2020 Olympics."

18. 02:30 Cutaway photographer.

19. 02:35 SOUNDBITE (English): Wilson Kipsang, Kenya:

(on the 2020 Olympics and Japanese marathon runners)

"I think for me 2020 is too far (away at the moment). A lot of things can happen in between, but I am looking forward. By that time that I should still be in top shape that I may qualify and be selected as one of the representatives from Kenya for the 2020 Olympics."

20. 02:57 Cutaway press taking photographs

21. 03:01 Kipchoge, Kipsang and Tadese on stage

22. 03:06 Pan up to Kipchoge, Kipsang and Tadese holding their name tags

23. 03:11 Wide of marathon runners and press

24. 03:18 Kenyan marathon runner Glady Cherono waves to the crowd at Hall of Fame venue in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

25. 03:22 Close up Cherono

26. 03:25 Cherono holds up her nname tag to the crowd

27. 03:29 Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) waves to the crowd

28. 03:35 Close up Dibaba

29. 03:38 Dibaba walks to wall of fame to find her name

30. 03:47 Three elite female favourite runners for Berlin Marathon for 2018 on stage together, Tirunesh Dibaba, Glady Cherono and Edna Kiplagat (Kenya)

31. 03:54 Close up Kiplagat

32. 03:59 Wide of Hall of Fame stage

33. 04:02 Kipchoge signs autographs for fans

34. 04:09 Kipsang signs autographs

35. 04:15 Kipchoge and Kipsang in the crowd at Brandenburg Gate

36. 04:20 Tadese waves from Hall of Fame to the crowd

37. 04:26 Kipsang waves to crowd from stage

38. 04:32 Kipsang shows name tag to crowd

39. 04:36 Kipchoge waves to crowd from Hall of Fame stage

40. 04:45 Kipchoge points at his name on wall of fame

41. 04:51 All the athletes at wall of fame together

42. 04:56 Close up Dibaba

43. 04:59 Wide shot of athletes

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 05:18

LEAD IN:

A 27-year old Jordanian man is training for the Berlin Marathon despite fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh also hopes to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo with the help of a specially designed diet and exercise program.

STORY-LINE:

Another day on the track for marathon runner Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh.

For 30 days, he's training and eating according to a program he's developed with nutritionists and trainers in the US and Jordan. He's hoping to get his best ever time at the upcoming marathon in Berlin.

But this is no ordinary training schedule - it's taking place during Ramadan, the holy Islamic month in which he is required to fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset.

"It's tough. Once I get to the track I just forget that I'm fasting. Sometimes you cannot forget about it because in the middle of the work out you hit the wall, but you have to keep pushing", he explains.

Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh is pushing himself because he is also hoping to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The 27-year old Jordanian works 40 hours a week at Generations for Peace, where he trains young people throughout the world to achieve peace making and conflict resolution through sports.

While training builds his physical strength, al-Khawaldeh says fasting develops his mental strength.

"It's a great feeling, the sense that you have that power in your body that you didn't know was there but comes out during Ramadan", he says.

Al-Khawaldeh has built a diverse team of people to support his marathon ambitions. They include a Sudanese trainer, an American running coach and a Jordanian nutritionist. He's been working with this team for the past three years to develop his mental and physical strength.

Hanoia Adam, a Sudanese runner and fitness coach, times al-Khawaldeh's daily runs during Ramadan before iftar. These are shorter, lighter exercises designed for a body already stressed by more than sixteen hours of hunger and thirst.

"Before iftar it's difficult but at the same time great, because about an hour before iftar there's a feeling of power and you're able to do some great work then. Training during Ramadan truly is sweet", Adam says.

Al-Khawaldeh breaks his fast with a meal specially designed to recover nutrition lost during the long day of fasting and the pre-iftar workout.

He generally starts with potassium-rich smoothies of skimmed milk, protein powder, bananas and dates, followed by a light meal of vegetables and lean protein like chicken. This diet replaces glycogen and nutrients lost throughout the day's fasting.

He tracks his meals with the help of Aseel al-Saleh, a nutrition coach who specialises in "precision nutrition" for athletes.

Since starting the new diet of vitamin supplements and meals six months ago, al-Khawaldeh has lost 2.5kg of body fat and gained 0.8kg of muscle.

Al-Saleh helped al-Khawaldeh develop a Ramadan meal plan that fits the needs of an athlete and an observant Muslim.

"The key to improved performance during Ramadan fasting is recovery, repair, sleep and supplementation. When it comes to iftar and suhoor (post-sunset and pre-sunrise meals) focus mostly on good quality carbohydrates, good quality proteins and lots of vegetables", says al-Saleh.

After iftar, al-Khawaldeh sleeps for a few hours and then starts his workout again at midnight. This time the exercise is much harder and longer. A support car follows him with protein shakes and water (he must drink up to 4 litres of water a day) as he races along the highway south of Amman.

LEAD IN:

A 27-year old Jordanian man is training for the Berlin Marathon despite fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh also hopes to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo with the help of a specially designed diet and exercise program.

STORY-LINE:

Another day on the track for marathon runner Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh.

For 30 days, he's training and eating according to a program he's developed with nutritionists and trainers in the US and Jordan. He's hoping to get his best ever time at the upcoming marathon in Berlin.

But this is no ordinary training schedule - it's taking place during Ramadan, the holy Islamic month in which he is required to fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset.

"It's tough. Once I get to the track I just forget that I'm fasting. Sometimes you cannot forget about it because in the middle of the work out you hit the wall, but you have to keep pushing", he explains.

Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh is pushing himself because he is also hoping to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The 27-year old Jordanian works 40 hours a week at Generations for Peace, where he trains young people throughout the world to achieve peace making and conflict resolution through sports.

While training builds his physical strength, al-Khawaldeh says fasting develops his mental strength.

"It's a great feeling, the sense that you have that power in your body that you didn't know was there but comes out during Ramadan", he says.

Al-Khawaldeh has built a diverse team of people to support his marathon ambitions. They include a Sudanese trainer, an American running coach and a Jordanian nutritionist. He's been working with this team for the past three years to develop his mental and physical strength.

Hanoia Adam, a Sudanese runner and fitness coach, times al-Khawaldeh's daily runs during Ramadan before iftar. These are shorter, lighter exercises designed for a body already stressed by more than sixteen hours of hunger and thirst.

"Before iftar it's difficult but at the same time great, because about an hour before iftar there's a feeling of power and you're able to do some great work then. Training during Ramadan truly is sweet", Adam says.

Al-Khawaldeh breaks his fast with a meal specially designed to recover nutrition lost during the long day of fasting and the pre-iftar workout.

He generally starts with potassium-rich smoothies of skimmed milk, protein powder, bananas and dates, followed by a light meal of vegetables and lean protein like chicken. This diet replaces glycogen and nutrients lost throughout the day's fasting.

He tracks his meals with the help of Aseel al-Saleh, a nutrition coach who specialises in "precision nutrition" for athletes.

Since starting the new diet of vitamin supplements and meals six months ago, al-Khawaldeh has lost 2.5kg of body fat and gained 0.8kg of muscle.

Al-Saleh helped al-Khawaldeh develop a Ramadan meal plan that fits the needs of an athlete and an observant Muslim.

"The key to improved performance during Ramadan fasting is recovery, repair, sleep and supplementation. When it comes to iftar and suhoor (post-sunset and pre-sunrise meals) focus mostly on good quality carbohydrates, good quality proteins and lots of vegetables", says al-Saleh.

After iftar, al-Khawaldeh sleeps for a few hours and then starts his workout again at midnight. This time the exercise is much harder and longer. A support car follows him with protein shakes and water (he must drink up to 4 litres of water a day) as he races along the highway south of Amman.

Amman, Jordan - 25 June 2016

1. Various of Mo'ath al-Khawaldeh running around a track in Sports City in Amman in the twilight hour before Iftar

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Moa'th al-Khawaldeh, Jordanian long-distance runner:

"It's tough. Once I get to the track I just forget that I'm fasting. Sometimes you cannot forget about it because in the middle of the work out you hit the wall, but you have to keep pushing."

3. Various of al-Khawaldeh tying shoes, stretching and warming up

4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moa'th al-Khawaldeh, Jordanian long-distance runner:

"Generally fasting is not easy, especially in summer. But thank God I've been fasting since I was little, but now for me there's a new side to fasting and that's training while fasting. In the beginning last year it was a little difficult but thank God we were able to learn what exactly to focus on - what to eat, what to drink, what to eat for suhoor, what to break the fast with after the call to prayer, what to focus on two hours after the prayer - these all help one out and then we are able to train and fast together."

5. Mid of al-Khawaldeh and Hanoia Adam, a Sudanese runner and fitness coach who helps al-Khawaldeh train

6. Wide of al-Khawaldeh and Adam

7. Close of Adam blowing a whistle

8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hanoia Adam, Sudanese runner and fitness coach:

"There are difficulties but you feel after breaking the fast it's even harder. Before iftar it's difficult but at the same time great, because about an hour before iftar there's a feeling of power and you're able to do some great work then. Training during Ramadan truly is sweet."

9. Close of al-Khawaldeh's feet

10. Wide of al-Khawaldeh sprinting

11. Mid of al-Khawaldeh running past

12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moa'th al-Khawaldeh, Jordanian long-distance runner:

"The most beautiful thing is breaking the fast after the call to prayer by drinking water. I don't always know if I will do the exercise or be able finish it, but then you do and break the fast. It's a great feeling, the sense that you have that power in your body that you didn't know was there but comes out during Ramadan."

13. Wide of mosque sounding out the call to prayer, a signal that the day's fasting is over

14. Various of al-Khawaldeh preparing and drinking a smoothie with skimmed milk, dates, banana and almonds

15. Various of al-Khawaldeh eating a meal prescribed by his nutrition coach Aseel al-Saleh

16. Close of al-Khawaldeh tracking his food consumption

AP Television

Amman, Jordan - 28 June 2016

17. Close of sign for office of nutrition company DNA

18. Mid of exterior of DNA office

19. Various of "precision nutrition" certified coach Aseel al-Saleh

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Aseel al-Saleh, nutrition coach:

"The key to improved performance during Ramadan fasting is recovery, repair, sleep and supplementation. When it comes to iftar and suhoor (post-sunset and pre-sunrise meals) focus mostly on good quality carbohydrates, good quality proteins and lots of vegetables. When it comes to suhoor, focus on low-fat and fat-free dairy because it has a type of protein called casein which is the slowest absorbed protein that keeps you sustained for longer hours throughout the next day."

21. Various of al-Khawaldeh training at night after iftar and before suhoor on the highway south of Amman.