Veteran Kenyan coach Richard Kanda has called for a rethink of training methods and competition schedules after Ethiopian athletes dominated the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, 27 September.Kanda said the results from the 52nd edition of the prestigious race should serve as a wake-up call for Kenyan athletes and coaches, urging them to adapt to the changing demands of modern marathon running.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsEthiopia’s Guye Adola won the men’s race in 2:02:51, holding off compatriot Gemechu Dida Diriba, who finished second in 2:03:19, while Tanzania’s Gabriel Gerald Geay completed the podium in 2:03:59.The women’s race was an all-Ethiopian affair, with Tigst Assefa leading from gun to tape to win in a blistering 2:11:04 despite appearing to struggle with an injury towards the finish.##NAJAVA_MECA_9991903##Assefa, who had previously set the Berlin course record at 2:11:53 in 2023, lowered the mark by 49 seconds. Bedatu Hirpa was second in 2:16:53, while Dera Dida finished third in 2:16:55.Speaking during a Berlin Marathon viewership party in Iten, Kanda said Kenya must change its approach if its athletes are to challenge the growing dominance of Ethiopia and other neighbouring countries.“Berlin has always shown us what the marathon can be. It is one of the fastest courses in the world, and what we saw on Sunday should make us rethink how we prepare our athletes. The Ethiopians have shown that they are not waiting for us. They are improving, competing aggressively, and adapting. As Kenyans, we have to ask ourselves what we need to change,” the tactician said.World record attempt comes at cost as Assefa faces six-month layoffKanda argued that Kenyan athletes cannot rely on traditional training programmes while the sport continues to evolve.“We cannot continue training the same way and expect different results. Our training programmes must evolve with the demands of modern marathon running,” he said.The veteran coach also called for Kenyan athletes to compete more frequently, saying prolonged periods in training camps without adequate racing exposure could leave athletes unprepared for the tactical demands of major marathons.“Our athletes need to compete more. You cannot prepare for the biggest races by staying in camp all the time. We need to expose our athletes to different levels of competition and learn from those experiences,” he said.Assefa threatens Chepngetich's World record in Berlin as Adola reclaims titleKanda added that success in modern marathon running requires more than endurance, with athletes needing to develop tactical awareness around pace, positioning and race moves.“It is not only about endurance anymore. Marathon running has become tactical. Athletes need to understand pace, positioning, and when to make their moves,” he said.He urged Kenyan coaches to study the approaches being adopted by neighbouring countries and provide athletes with similar opportunities to compete and gain experience.“We have to look at what our neighbours are doing and match them in terms of competition and preparation. If they are racing more and gaining experience, we must give our athletes that opportunity too. Kenya has the talent, but talent alone is not enough. If we want to reclaim our place at the top, we must be willing to change, learn, and work differently,” he said.More than 300 athletes gathered in Iten, the Home of Champions, to watch the Berlin Marathon live during the forum organised by Bank of Africa Kenya through its Mwanariadha product.The event also provided an opportunity for athletes to receive financial education, with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) represented by Elkanah Cheruiyot.Athletics Great Kipchoge Keino reveals how Kenya stands to profit from 2029 World ChampionshipsCheruiyot said KRA would continue helping athletes understand taxation and comply with their obligations as their earnings and investments grow.“When they have investments, we make sure that they are tax compliant in business too. We want them to understand that paying tax is part of building the nation, and we are here to guide them, not to punish them,” he said.Bank of Africa Sales Manager Malenya Lusimba said the bank was seeking to invest more in athletics through its Mwanariadha account, which is tailored to the financial needs of athletes.“We want to make sure they invest wisely. It's important for us as a bank and as a country because they earn a lot and they can improve the economy of the country,” Lusimba said.