Impressive times in Altötting

Sunny weather, fantastic atmosphere, great supporting program, perfect organisation and lots of participants. What was usual before covid, namely over 2,000 participants at the finish, was missed in the years 2020 to 2022. This year, Altötting made another leap upwards with around 2,400 entries and over 2,000 participants at the finish. And is therefore still the most important running event in the region.

But the winning times were also impressive. With Abdelilah El Maimouni, a Moroccan won for the first time in the 32-year history of the race. However, the time of 1:05:11 was three and a half minutes over the course record of 1:01:39. The Swedish athlete Emil Milan de la Olivia finished second in 1:06:12. The three-time winner of the years 2020-2022 Josef Diensthuber (GER), a runner from the region managed to jump onto the winner’s podium again with 1:12:33.

In the women’s race it was a lonely race for a debutante. Bohdana Semyonova from Ukraine won her first half marathon in Altötting. 1:17:35 are quite impressive. Nevertheless, a full nine minutes are missing from the course record of 1:01:38. Two local runners took second and third place! Amelie Hofbauer (1:26:26) and Marisa Geisberger (1:29:35).

But there were also exceptional talents at the start over the 6km route. After winning the Altötting half marathon in 2016 in 1:14:33, Yuliia Shmatenko (Ukraine) she won the 6km route this year in a superior manner. Marco Sturm, a highly decorated mountain runner, won the men’s race with similar superiority.

With a free city tour the day before, free childcare, free travel to and from the train network (also the day before), starting number distribution directly at the rail station, an atmosphere mile with various music groups and stilt walkers, unique catering at the finish line (also with coffee and cake) and much more, Altötting also scores points when it comes to service.

In addition, there was a world first for the participants at the finish with a functioning pocket watch as a medal, specially designed for Altötting.

It is not for nothing that the race in Altötting was awarded the maximum number of five points by the European Athletics Federation. This was honored by the participation of runners from the USA and New Zealand because Altötting’s reputation goes around the world.