30 years of the hella Hamburg halfmarathon

This means that demand for starting places is more than 12% above the previous record from 2018 and a whopping 36% above the number from the previous year. When the first starting gun sounds on the Reeperbahn at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, this number will almost certainly have climbed to over 14,000. This will enable the event to underline its status as the second largest race of its kind in the nationwide running calendar.

For the anniversary, participants can look forward to many experiences and detailed improvements. The supporting program is even more extensive than in previous years. This refers above all to the numerous event points along the route, which in the past earned the event the nickname “A party on 21.1 km” in scene circles. DJs, live bands, samba and drum groups, artists and cheering zones will give participants a boost at a total of 41 locations. These include singing along to the old hit song “Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins”, inspired by Hans Albers, and a shanty choir with songs from genuine North German sailors’ traditions. There is no shortage of Hanseatic flair. In addition to fruit and drinks, the finish line also offers a local speciality – sweet Franzbrötchen cinnamon buns.

A total of participants from 91 guest nations on six continents are expected this year. In contrast to the fan marches of these days, on Sunday the residents are asked to take to the streets to further boost the atmosphere along the route at the numerous spectator hotspots. In addition to the start on the Reeperbahn and the finish at the Hamburg Messe, the biggest hotspots are to be found at the Landungsbrücken, on the Kennedybrücke, at the Running Crew Mile on the Alster and at Stephansplatz.

Experience has shown that the numerous top athletes will have few eyes and ears for this when they are fighting for a place in the top ranks. Edwin Soi and Vincent Towett from Kenya are the favorites. Soi, who won bronze in the 5,000 m in Beijing in 2008, proved in 2019 in Granollers (ESP) with a new personal best of 1:00:24 that he can also be reckoned with in the long distance. It is a quick return for Towett, who was already able to attract attention last year with a strong 5th place (1:03:21) – in a race with not entirely easy weather conditions. Behind him could be Carlos Diaz – the fastest legs in Chile. The 30-year-old is travelling to Hamburg with numerous titles under his belt, including the national record in the marathon, four national championship titles and victories at the South American Games in 2018 and 2022, and will fight for a place on the podium.

The favourite for the women is Yebrgual Melese (ETH). Her personal best time of 1:07:43 (Lisbon 2018) even puts her in a position where she could pose a threat to Lonah Salpeter’s (ISR) course record (1:10:05, 2023). The weather on Sunday could also play into her hands for this endeavour, as it is forecast to be significantly cooler than the high temperatures of previous years. Alemaddis Eyayu (ETH) will have a say here. Her victory at the Shanghai Half Marathon 2023 in 1:10:15 and her PB of 1:08:04 in Port Elizabeth (RSA) show that she can also be reckoned with on a good day. Further competition comes from Great Britain: Rose Harvey has no need to hide behind the other women with a 1:10:02 at the London Half Marathon 2023 and should be able to count on a chance of a podium place.

Hendrik Pfeiffer against Haftom Welday; Hanover against Hamburg; tk zu Hanover against TH Eilbeck. The race for the German crown is certainly the most anticipated duel. It is also the direct duel between the fastest German of 2022 (Welday) and the one of 2023 (Pfeiffer). With a 1:03:44, Welday already indicated his class two years ago, back then still with the goal of the 2024 Summer Olympics in the back of his mind.

Among the women it is unambiguous: anyone wishing to be the fastest German woman will have to beat Esther Pfeiffer (who ran last year under her maiden name Jacobitz).

The first finishers are expected on the blue carpet around 10am at the Hamburg arena. By this time most of the participants will just about be reaching the half-way mark.