Elite marathon race in Hamburg planned for April

Photo: Hochzwei
© Photo: Haspa Marathon Hamburg / Hochzwei Marathon: Haspa Marathon Hamburg 2014

The “NN Mission Marathon” will be run on a 10.5km loop in the centre of Hamburg and organised by the “NN Running Team” of Jos Hermens in cooperation with the Hamburg Marathon.

Currently there are very few Olympic qualifying opportunities in the marathon due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last year’s race was postponed from its usual April date to Autumn but, despite offering a comprehensive hygiene plan, organisers were refused permission on the grounds that attendance by spectators would present a severe risk of spreading the virus.

Ten top German runners will attack the Olympic qualifying standards in Hamburg – 2:11:30 (men) and 2:29:30 (women) – but only three places are available. On the men’s start list are two who already have the qualifying time: Hendrik Pfeiffer (2:10:18) and Richard Ringer (2:10:59).

The German marathon record holder Amanal Petros is assured of a place with his time of 2:07:18. The target time in Hamburg will be around 2:10. The situation is similar for the women with Melat Kejeta securing a place due to her 2:23:57 best. Behind her in the race for the Olympic tickets are Deborah Schöneborn (2:26:55), Katharina Steinruck (2:27:26) and Rabea Schöneborn (2:28:42).