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Race news StraLugano
StraLugano ready to launch in September
Wide variety of races offers a weekend of sport and fun for everyone
There are about two months left until the new edition of the queen of races on the shores of Lugano’s lakeside.
Now in its 18th edition, the StraLugano is ready to flood the weekend of 28 and 29 September with many runners who will compete in the various races that the organization has developed to satisfy everyone’s age, tastes and fitness level.
Kicking off the event on Saturday 28 September, there will already be a first big novelty: the MaMigros Run&Win, a non-competitive race dedicated to families which will allow you to win magnificent prizes. Also in the afternoon at 4.45pm there will be the 5km FunRun, the race that winds for 5,000m along the banks of the Ceresio and through the Ciani Park, dedicated to those who want to try their hand at a short distance race suitable for everyone, even the less experienced ones.
Also on Saturday, at 6.15pm, the distance is doubled and we start with the 10Km CityRun, the race that winds along the entire lakeside of Lugano, also partially entering the city.
On Sunday 24 September, the first departure at 9.30 will be the Monte Brè Run, a 9 km route waiting to be discovered, with a difference in altitude of around 730 m which will lead to the “roof” of Lugano.
At 10.00 the main race starts, the 21km Half Marathon, the half marathon with breathtaking views that touches the main points of the lakefront from Paradiso to the ponte del diavolo, “Devil’s Bridge”.
You can choose whether to run the 21km alone or split the effort with 3 friends in the relay version of the 21Km HM RelayRun, ideal for strengthening synergies and improving team play.
For the more sporty, there is the possibility of competing in the StraCombinata, the race that combines the 10Km CityRun on Saturday evening with the Monte Brè Run on Sunday: a challenge for complete and determined athletes that offers incredible emotions. At 1.45pm the popular Run4Charity will take place, 3 km accessible to all, in an environment of total solidarity to support the charities participating in Run4Charity.
The children will close the event from 3pm on the afternoon of Sunday 29 September with the KidsRun. A short course, different depending on the age group to offer all children the opportunity to test themselves.
Whatever the race chosen, no one will miss the commemorative medal in the new eco-sustainable recycled wood format with a fascinating and colorful design and the rich race pack, with which each participant is honored with a magnificent technical T-shirt.
Finally, we would like to remind you that to reach the StraLugano, as has been the case for several years, it is worth using the promotion of free transport with the Swiss Runners Ticket (buses and trains) from any region of Switzerland and which can also be used by foreigners starting from the border station as soon as they enter the country. For all participants in the timed races it will therefore be possible to leave the car at home and use public transport to and from their home.
Race news Royal Victoria Marathon
Royal Victoria Marathon adds extra spots
Marathon facing sell out with over three months to go
With an unprecedented surge in registrations, the Royal Victoria Marathon was facing a sell out in the marathon distance with over three months to go until the event in October.
The event had originally increased its spots available in the marathon by 21% this year in comparison to 2023, but those sold out in the spring. They have been increasing the available spots over the last few months, but those have continued to sell out.
“We didn’t want to sell out the marathon distance in the spring, so our team has been working tirelessly to come up with a new plan,” stated Cathy Noel, GM/Race Director. “To be able to extend our numbers this late in the planning process meant we had to go back to the drawing board to look at participant flow at the start line and along the course. We also had to go back to all our sponsors, suppliers, and City Stakeholders to make sure that we could accommodate and maintain the high level of organization and safety from the start of race weekend to the last person crossing the finish line.”
Thankfully, working with all their supportive partners, the event has been able to extend its capacity by 900 spots over 2023’s total of 1860, but it is now down to its last 200 spots available in the marathon. They have also had to add more spots in the half marathon. They expect these last marathon spots to go quickly and once they are gone, there will be no more room to increase.
“The RVM is a boutique event, drawing athletes from all over the world,” explained Cathy Noel. “This growth of the event for 2024 will see over 12,000 runners and walkers for the marathon, half marathon, 8K, 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run, which is an increase of 25% over last year!”
The Royal Victoria Marathon is celebrating 44 years in 2024 with the five distances taking place over the Thanksgiving weekend. The 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run takes place on Saturday, October 12 in Oak Bay, with the marathon, half marathon and 8K starting and finishing in downtown Victoria on Sunday, October 13.
To learn more, visit https://www.runvictoriamarathon.com/
Race news Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and We Are Houston 5K
Houston Marathon foundation awards USD 30,000 in scholarships
Students chase down collegiate pursuits fueled by scholarships and the transformative power of long-distance running.
The Houston Marathon Foundation (HMF) provides USD30,000 in collegiate scholarships to three exceptional high school seniors who have demonstrated a passion for running and academic excellence.
James Hayden Price (Bridgeland High School, University of Texas), Jessica Bilewski (Fulshear High School, Texas A&M) and Alexandra Maglaras (Bellaire High School, Baylor University) will each receive USD10,000 over the next four years to assist them in their undergraduate studies.
Townes Pressler, the newly appointed President of the Houston Marathon Foundation Board of Directors, expressed his excitement by stating, “I’m enthusiastic about the Houston Marathon Foundation Scholarship award because it rewards leadership, determination, drive, and academic achievement, as well as serious commitment to competitive running. I strongly believe in the sport of running as an encourager to a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging young people in the sport can be a lifetime game changer.”
In 2015, the HMF began awarding scholarships to high school cross country runners who embody leadership, generosity, and a volunteer spirit. The HMF has awarded USD290,000 in scholarship funds to students from the Greater Houston Region to date.
James Hayden Price, who will be attending the University of Texas this fall, reflected on the impact of running on his life: "Running has given me the ability to balance school life, personal life, and my ambitions. It has helped me streamline my life, and this scholarship will help my family alleviate the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to focus on my studies.”
James’ achievements include being a varsity captain of the boys cross country, a strong academic record ranking in the top 4% of his class, alongside various jobs and volunteer posts that have filled his summers and spare time.
Jessica Bilewski, a graduate of Fulshear High School who will be attending Texas A&M University, shared her thoughts: “Running is hard, but that’s the fun part because you get better through pushing your limits. It makes me feel proud when I overcome any obstacle. This scholarship and running will help me persevere through the challenges ahead.”
Jessica’s notable achievements include varsity positions in cross country and track, leadership roles such as Medical Terminology Class President, and participation in various clubs including a leadership role as a volunteer Traditional Polish dance performer. Her dedication to her sport and community makes her a deserving recipient of this scholarship.
Alexandra Maglaras, heading to Baylor University, spoke about the sense of community running has provided her saying, “Running has given me a great sense of belonging and has taught me to value close friendships over large groups. During the pandemic, my family, therapy and running helped me manage my anxiety, and it continues to be a source of strength and leadership as I enter college.”
Alexandra’s high school accomplishments include being a varsity captain for cross country and soccer, founding the Greek Club at Bellaire High School, and holding leadership positions in various organizations. Her resilience and commitment to community-building highlight her as an outstanding scholarship recipient.
The Houston Marathon Foundation is excited to support these young athletes as they pursue their higher education, running and life goals. We believe in the transformative power of running and are proud to invest in the future of these remarkable individuals year over year.
For students interested in applying for the HMF scholarship next year, the application process will be open September 3rd, 2024, and close March 30th, 2025. More information can be found on the HMF scholarships as well as other HMF initiatives by visiting www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/foundation.
Date changes Spitsbergen Marathon
Race date for Spitsbergen Marathon (NOR) changed
Spitsbergen Marathon date change
The Spitsbergen Marathon (NOR) will take place on Sat 14 June 2025, not Sat 7 June 2025 as previously published.
AIMS news Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Nagoya Women's Marathon date set for March 9
French luxury crystal brand will present gifts at the finish line
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon is delighted to announce the event outline of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025.
It plans to hold the world’s largest women runners’ festival on Sunday, March 9, 2025, welcoming 20,000 participants, including 3,500 overseas entrants.
Launched in 2012, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon is certified by Guinness World Records as the largest women’s marathon in the world and is a World Athletics Platinum Label race. The 2025 race is expected to draw special attention from home and abroad, as it will be a qualifier for the Japanese team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September and an excellent opportunity for international athletes to test their abilities on Japanese soil.
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon is known for congratulating all its finishers with a special commemorative gift, and from the 2025 event, a beautiful tumbler from Baccarat, a French luxury lifestyle brand celebrating its 260th anniversary, will await runners at the finish line. A symbol of celebration and joy, Baccarat will celebrate the moment of the emotional finish with a special tumbler in their signature red box.
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon is regarded by many, if not most, female runners as the best event for women runners of all ages and levels of running experience to safely enjoy marathon running and create lifetime memories, with its unique features and hospitality as well as the thoroughly prepared medical system and the number of temporary toilets (and their cleanliness!)
The theme of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025 is “Connections Beyond the Finish Line.” Why don’t you come to Japan next spring, finish the race with 20,000 other female runners, and make a memorable toast after the finish?
The overseas entries are scheduled to open from Thursday, September 5, 2025, to Wednesday, September 25, 2025. For more information on the race and entries, please visit the official race website .
Race news Mainova Frankfurt Marathon
Register now for Frankfurt and save
Benefit from a reduced entry fee until June 30, 2024
The course: fast. The atmosphere on the side of the course: fantastic. The finish line: overwhelming.
This year, too, Germany’s oldest city marathon promises to be a very special running experience. Over 27,000 participants are expected again this year at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. In good weather, up to 350,000 spectators will join in, who can experience over 80 action points with bands and music groups along the marathon route. On the last weekend in October, the banking metropolis traditionally turns into Frankfurt’s largest street festival.
The unchanged, flat route promises best times for elite athletes and amateur athletes alike. “We deliberately offer a big runner’s festival for everyone, that applies to the top athletes at the top, to the ambitious amateur athletes and to all the runners who simply enjoy running through such an exciting city as the metropolis on the River Main without car traffic.”
This year, in addition to amateur sport, top-class sport will once again find a perfectly organized stage in the banking city. The masterful organization will once again be crowned this year by the award of the “World Athletics Elite Label” by the International Athletics Federation. This means that the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon will once again be one of the top marathon races in the world in 2024.
At the 41st edition of the oldest German city marathon, participants can once again expect an unforgettable running weekend for the whole family. The “marathon mall” sporting goods fair opens its doors on Friday and is open until Sunday. Here, endurance enthusiasts can find out about the latest trends, just have a look around and get inspired, or consume the exhibitors’ products directly.
The popular Fattoria La Vialla – Toscana Pasta Party will also take place again. Here, guests can load up on carbohydrates the day before the marathon and chat with other runners in an atmospheric atmosphere or watch the show acts on stage. If you want to go for another relaxed run around the Main on Saturday, the free pretzel run powered by interair is just the thing for you. The five-kilometer run takes place at a relaxed pace – delicious pretzels and the unique pretzel-shaped medal await at the finish.
For all those who are not yet brave enough to take on the full marathon distance, there will also be the opportunity in 2024 to start the relay marathon as a quartet of runners and get a taste of the marathon atmosphere. The mini marathon and the Struwwelpeter run are aimed at running-enthusiastic children aged 5 to 17. Of course, the little ones will also run into the magnificently lit festival hall.
Anyone who has not yet registered and wants to save money needs to hurry. Because the second registration phase for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon ends on June 30th. On July 1st, the participation fee will increase to 129 euro. So far, more than 8,000 marathon runners have already secured their starting place.
Until June 30th, there is also the inexpensive option of registering a quartet of runners for the relay marathon for 184 euros. For all those who want to get a taste of the marathon atmosphere but don’t (yet) feel confident about completing the full 42.195 kilometers, the relay marathon is just the thing. The atmospheric route is completed in teams of four. On July 1st, the participation fee for the relay marathon increases to 204 euros.
You can register online at www.frankfurt-marathon.com to take part on the last weekend in October!
Race news hella hamburg half marathon
30 years of the hella Hamburg halfmarathon
The big anniversary promises to be a perfect running festival on Sunday with a record number of entries, lots of fanfare along the route and a top-class elite field
On Sunday the Hella Hamburg Half Marathon is celebrating a big anniversary. Almost 13,900 participants from all over the world have registered for the 30th edition of the big city run – a record!
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.
AIMS Congress
Agenda for AIMS Congress
24th World Congress of AIMS, “From Heritage to Horizon”
14–16 November 2024
Venue: Dolce by Wyndham
Thursday November 14, 2024
08:30 – 09:00 Arrival reception and Registration
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome words by AIMS President, by Host City Representative and by Local Organising Committee
09:30 – 10:15 Presentation #1: Paris 2024 Olympic Mass Participation Marathon
Paris 2024 promised to revolutionise the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for the public. With the Paris 2024 Mass Participation Marathon, amateur athletes will be able to run the Olympic marathon route at night.
10:15 – 10:45 Coffee Break and Networking
10:45 – 11:30 Presentation #2: Vietnam’s Perspective: How does the marathon contribute to Vietnam’s economy?"
The Asian market in general and Vietnam in particular is the faster growing area, especially with sports tourism. Uncover the significant economic contributions marathons bring to their host cities, from boosting local businesses to enhancing tourism.
11:30 – 12:15 Presentation #3: Tech on the Track: Leveraging AI for the Next Generation of Race Organization
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing race organization, from enhancing runner experiences to streamlining event logistics.
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch Break
13:15 – 14:00 Presentation #4: Healthy Races, Healthy Planet: Examining the Eco-Impact of Mass-Sport Events.
Delve into the intersection of health and environmental stewardship, discussing how marathons can contribute to both a healthier populace and a healthier planet.
14:00 – 15:00 Annual AIMS Reports: Reflecting on Achievements and Looking Ahead
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee Break and Networking
15:30 – 16:15 Nomination Presentations for Board Election and for President Election
16:15 – 16:45 Proposals for Hosting the 25th World Congress of AIMS
16:45 – 17:00 Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Association
16:45 – 17:00 Time for Group Photo
18:00 – 21:00 Welcome dinner
Friday November 15, 2024
08:30 – 09:00 Arrival Reception and Networking
09:00 – 09:45 Presentation #5: Cultural Heritage and Marathon Running: Vietnam’s Unique Approach.
Discover how Vietnam integrates its rich cultural heritage with marathon events, creating unique experiences for runners and promoting cultural tourism.
09:45 – 10:30 Presentation #6: AIMS’ sponsors presentations
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break and Networking
11:00 – 12:00 Panel Discussion: Women in running and mass-sport events for people with disability and limited access.
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30 Interactive session
14:30 – 15:00 Coffee Break and Networking
15:00 – 15:45 AIMS 2024 Annual Update: Strategic Progress and Future Directions
15:45 – 16:30 Presentation #7: Green Racing: Sustainable Practices for the Modern Marathon.
Explore the forefront of sustainability in marathon events, showcasing best practices and innovative approaches to minimizing environmental impact.
20:00 – 22:00 Gala Dinner
Saturday November 16, 2024
09:00 – 09:30 Final Presentation of Bids & Voting
A brief recap of the bids for the next Congress location, followed by member voting.
09:30 – 10:00 Board Election Voting
Voting session for new Board members.
10:00 – 10:30 Announcement of Voting Results
Presentation of election outcomes and bid selection results.
10:30 – 10:45 Closing Ceremony
Final remarks and the official closing of the Congress
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee Break
14:00 – 16:30 Move to Halong Bay
Date changes Mae Moh Half Marathon
Race date for Mae Moh Half Marathon (THA) changed
Mae Moh Half Marathon date change
The Mae Moh Half Marathon (THA) will take place on Sun 20 October 2024, not Thu 10 October 2024 as previously published.
AIMS Congress
Early bird rates for AIMS Congress
New partner hotels
“Early bird” discounted accommodation deals are now available for the World Congress of AIMS in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Two new upgraded venues have been announced:
- 5-star Dolce By Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake (see details ) 115 USD / night (regardless of single, double or twin room)
- 4-star Lake Side Hotel Hanoi (see details ) 45 USD / night (regardless of single, double or twin room)
The early bird accommodation discount rate closes on 30th June.
AIMS member races have been issued with a guide to registration and discount code.
Date changes Osaka Marathon
Race date for Osaka Marathon (JPN) changed
Osaka Marathon date change
The Osaka Marathon (JPN) will take place on Mon 24 February 2025, not Sun 23 February 2025 as previously published.
Date changes PKO Gdynia Half Marathon
Update on race date for PKO Gdynia Half Marathon (POL)
Correction
The PKO Gdynia Half Marathon (POL) will take place on Sat 26 April 2025, not Fri 25 April 2025 as previously published.
Race news Volksbank-Münster-Marathon
Volksbank Münster Marathon gets Stift Tilbeck moving
Inclusive run was a unique experience
What a day it was – full of emotions, full of happiness and that on Diversity Day, when the Volksbank Münster Marathon organized a run for the first time at Stift Tilbeck, where people with and without disabilities had a shared running experience.
Münster-Marathon e.V. led the run with nine race supervisors, some of whom were even sponsor representatives, and formed a fast, a medium and a slow group over a circuit of around 2.5 km. The teachers from Kosmos Bildung with its primary and comprehensive school and representatives from Stift Tilbeck, on the other hand, coached the buddy run over 700 m. Over 250 children, young people and adults had gathered.
Guido Hoffmann, managing director of Stift Tilbeck and Susanne Beermann, managing director of Kosmos Bildung welcomed those present. Michael Brinkmann, representing Münster-Marathon e.V., was surprised by the great response and prepared those willing to run for the routes ahead of them. The individual groups were sent off in a so-called “wave start” on the beautiful route, which, in the best weather, invited people to run it several times. No matter whether fast or slow, in a wheelchair or on the arm – everyone had fun and was eager to complete at least one lap well and then help themselves to food at the refreshment stands.
All the race supervisors were surprised by the great enthusiasm of all the participants, by the fun they had on the route, and the feelings of happiness that this day brought to many runners. After about 60 minutes, Laura Maria Hinz and Ludger Fliß from Münster-Marathon e.V. handed out “marathon pens” and the sponsor representatives from Wecker Druckluft and H+B technics handed out sweets, which were gladly accepted.
The team around Ingo Kannenbäumer from IK media captured the experience up close with videos and photos. Those responsible at Stift Tilbeck and Kosmos Bildung also rated this day as an important day of experience – “this is how inclusion is done properly and well,” says the press release.
After a leisurely coffee break, this wonderful day came to an end, not without handing out one or two pens or sweets. Everyone present agreed: such a wonderful day with a should be a model for the importance of inclusive cooperation and one worth repeating.
Race news Sarmang Dehradun Marathon
New tagline for Sarmang Dehradun Marathon
Runners invited to “Run the World in Dehradun”
Sarmang Adventure Tours and Sarmang Society have announced the new tagline for the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon: “Run the World in Dehradun.”
“This fresh tagline embodies the marathon’s spirit of global unity, adventure, and the celebration of human endurance,” said the organisers.
Anil Mohan, Race Director of the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon, expressed his excitement about the new tagline: “Our marathon has always been about more than just running. It’s about bringing people together from around the world to experience the beauty, culture, and hospitality of Dehradun. ‘Run the World in Dehradun’ perfectly captures this essence.”
The organisers hope that “Run the World in Dehradun” highlights the unique experience the marathon offers. This tagline emphasises the marathon’s international appeal, drawing runners from across the globe to this vibrant city nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Mohan explained that the tagline reflects the international essence of the marathon. Every year, Sarmang Dehradun Marathon welcomes runners from all corners of the globe, creating a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. Sarmang Dehradun Marathon is “not just a race but a vibrant festival” where athletes from different nations come together, united by their passion for running and their quest for personal achievement.
The marathon course is certified by World Athletics and AIMS, and takes runners through the natural and cultural landmarks of Dehradun. It attracts runners from around the world, making it a truly global event.
The Sarmang Dehradun Marathon is set to take place on 29 September 2024. Runners can choose from various race categories, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a fun run/walk of 2K. Registrations are currently open, and participants can obtain early bird discounts by registering soon.
AIMS Congress
President invites AIMS members to Vietnam
World Congress to be held in Hanoi
The President of AIMS has invited member races to register for the upcoming Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In a letter to the 443 member races, Paco Borao says:
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to inform you that registration for the 24th World Congress of AIMS is now open and available through the Congress website at the address given below.”
https://vietnamheritagemarathon.com/en/web/aims2024
“You will also find attached a detailed description of how to register. I look forward to seeing you in Hanoi!”
This article was revised after first publication.
Race news Copenhagen Marathon
Copenhagen Marathon broke all records
Largest Danish marathon ever
16,363 registered, 15,100 at the start and 14,655 runners across the finish line.
Copenhagen Marathon 2024 was not just a great experience for all the participants.
It was also the largest marathon ever held in Denmark.
“Next time it will even be a little better and a little bigger, because in Sparta Athletics & Running we never sit back and settle for doing the same as last time. Just wait and see,” say the organisers. “Even though we’ve only just got our arms down, we’re already starting to look forward. On 11 May 2025, we will do it all again.”
Registration opens on June 4 at 12.00.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Abdi Ali | GELELCHU | BRN | 2:09:11 |
| 2 | Gadisa | BIRHANU | ETH | 2:09:55 |
| 3 | Abebaw | MUNIYE | ETH | 2:10:27 |
| 4 | Enock | KINYAMAL | KEN | 2:10:33 |
| 5 | James | KIPLAGAT | KEN | 2:10:58 |
Women
| 1 | Margaret | AGAI | KEN | 2:27:31 |
| 2 | Mercy | KWAMBAI | KEN | 2:28:12 |
| 3 | Alisa | VAINIO | FIN | 2:28:21 |
| 4 | KHISHIGSAIKHAN | MGL | 2:28:48 | |
| 5 | Caroline Jebet | KORIR | KEN | 2:30:12 |
Race news BMW Berlin-Marathon
Berlin marks 50 years with extra special merch
Exclusive Donald Duck comic, jubilee coin and beary buddies on offer
Here we go! The BMW Berlin Marathon is celebrating its 50th anniversary and all of Duckburg is cheering along.
In a special anniversary comic, Donald Duck and Gladstone Gander are already in the starting blocks because they don’t want to miss out on the big race. Unlucky duck against lucky goose – and the best runners in the world are also competing – who will come out on top?
With plenty of humour and sporting spirit, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse & Co. experience 11 sporting adventures and present lots of valuable tips and information about the BMW Berlin Marathon!
Registered users can get your copy today via your user account.
Half a century of marathon history in Berlin is celebrated on a new souvenir coin. On the special jubilee coin you will find: The names, times and years of the 13 world records that were run on the fastest course in the world. The top sights on the 42-kilometre route. The date of the premiere. The image of the legendary course.
Everything on the 8 cm diameter, 6 mm thick and 186 g heavy coin in silver finish. Packaged in an elegant black box with anniversary logo.
Get the limited edition coin now for just 27.90 euro via your user account.
For the first time this year, the popular Berlin Buddy Bear is available in a marathon design. The 22 cm tall figure is designed by hand and shows the many highlights of the BMW Berlin Marathon in a very special way. Of course, the bear also has a bib number. You can write your name and your own bib number on it, making the bear your very own personal memento!
The exclusive anniversary Buddy Bear can be ordered as an extra by all participants for 79.50 euro via the user account. Please note: The edition is limited.
Race news Volksbank-Münster-Marathon
Münster-Marathon celebrates nationwide running day
“Dress rehearsal” for health run on September 8th
“Running is healthy. Running makes you happy. And running can make the world a better place.”
This is the motto of the 3rd nationwide running day on June 5th, an institution that emerged from Global Running Day in America. Initiated by the German Athletics Association and German Road Races, the association of German road running organizers, this day is intended to draw attention to every runner on this easy-to-do, healthy and happy sport. You can register at www.tagdeslaufens.de, receive a corresponding start number and can start completing a route of your choice. You can do this on your own, with friends or like-minded people, or you can take part in one of the over 100 events taking place nationwide, all of which take place at the same time at 6 p.m.
On the occasion of the Volksbank Münster Marathon, Münster-Marathon e.V. has also come up with something special this year. The company “Wecker Druckluft” has its hat on for Running Day in Münster and will be offering a run in the city center of Münster this year. In addition, the former European champion over 5,000 m and over 20-time German long-distance champion Prof. Dr. Thomas Wessinghage invited. Since the run in the city center had to limit the number of participants, participation is no longer possible. Nevertheless, Prof. Dr. Thomas Wessinghage is available to answer any questions. Spectators are also warmly invited to attend this evening. “It should be a very special evening,” says Fynn Wecker.
Münster-Marathon e.V. has developed the 1KOMMA5° Urban Run, a run that starts in the city center at Stubengassenplatz, leads through the most beautiful corners of the city, but – and this is what’s special – also through buildings. The approximately 4.3 km long loop, which can be completed a maximum of two times, leads, for example, through the LWL Museum for Art and Culture, where a colorful drum group provides loud support, but also through the Martinikirche, Münster’s youth church. A saxophone quartet from the Nienberge Music School will play here. You also climb the stairs to the inner courtyard of the city theater, where the jazz twins play. Going down the stairs and crossing the street, the path leads to the Volksbank main office, which is crossed from the main entrance to the back entrance. Finally, Stadthaus I is also part of the building route before it goes underground in the Stubengasse underground car park towards its destination, Stubengassenplatz.
Phil Eisberg, managing director of 1KOMMA5°, is also happy about the company’s own run. “Our whole company is thrilled,” says Phil Eisberg, who even had his own shirt created for the participants.
Race news Moy Park Belfast City Marathon
Belfast announces 2025 date
First Sunday in May confirmed
The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon has announced its event date for 2025.
The marathon is one of the leading marathons in the UK and is an AIMS certified race.
The race will start at Stormont at 9am and finish in Ormeau Park on Sunday 4th May 2025.
The Belfast event is renowned for the incredible local support and crowds to cheer you on throughout your 26.2 miles.
Running news
British runner achieves Guinness record for 1000 marathons
Steve Edwards averaged 3:21:47 over 43 years
On Monday May 6th at the renowned Milton Keynes marathon, British marathon runner Steve Edwards was crowned the new Guinness world records title holder for running 1000 marathons in the fastest average finish time.
Battling a painful hip injury that he sustained after his 996th marathon, 61-year-old Edwards, from North Gloucestershire in England crossed the finish line to the excitement and jubilation of family, friends and the whole UK marathon running community who came along to witness what many consider to be the ultimate multi marathon world record ever achieved.
Commenting after the race, Edwards said “Today was the finale to what has been an incredible 43 year journey, an end of an era and we can’t quite believe that it’s now all over. I don’t mind admitting that it’s been extremely difficult in recent years with wear and tear and injury all taking its toll. There are so many people I would like to thank, friends, supporters and all my sponsors but the biggest thank you goes to my lovely wife Teresa – none of this would have been possible without her dedicated and loving support.”
Since 1981 Edwards has run in 1000 official marathon races, achieving 325 sub 3:15s, 500 sub 3:20s, 801 sub 3:30s and 1000 sub 4.00s. On average he ran a marathon every 13 days for the last 36 years.
First 500 marathons – 22 years – aged 25-45 – Average finish time 3:18.
Second 500 marathons – 14 years – aged 45 – 61 – Average finish time 3:24.
Total average finish time for all 1000 marathons 3:21:47.
Race news Salzburg Marathon
Local hero Herzog wins Salzburg Marathon
Austrian record holder thrills crowd in city of Mozart
The Salzburg Marathon on Sunday, 12 May, was crowned by the victory of Austrian Peter Herzog over Kenyan Peter Wahome Murithi. It was the highlight of the four-day running festival with a wide range of running events for all ages and ambitions.
Herzog celebrated his first ever marathon victory and enjoyed the great atmosphere at his home race in Salzburg. In 2:21:46 hours, he crossed the finish line in front of the Großes Festspielhaus festival hall in the city center with a breathtaking view of the Fortress “Hohensalzburg“. He relegated Kenyan Peter Wahome Murithi to second place with an attack shortly before kilometer 40. Wahome, who had dropped out of the Vienna City Marathon three weeks ago, finished in 2:22:32. Third place went to Mahdi Sareban in 2:36:17, the current Austrian 100 km champion.
Peter Herzog, whose national record stands at 2:10:06 from London 2020, was in bliss: “It was exactly what I had imagined and wished for. It is something special to win a marathon for the first time, and even more so in Salzburg with this fantastic atmosphere. I bow down to the crowd, I have goose bumps,” he said.
Runners and fans experienced a fantastic marathon day in sunny spring weather with temperatures of 14°C at the start and 19°C at the finish for the elite runners. Herzog and Murithi ran together for almost 40 kilometers. “Then the adrenalin kicked in and I attacked. That marathon feeling hit me again,” said Herzog. Murithi commented: “We worked together for a long time. I’m delighted to finally have achieved a result this spring.”
Herzog, who competed in the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Marathon, made a pleasing comeback just three weeks ago at the Vienna City Marathon with 2:15:29 hours after long injury problems. The start in Salzburg after only a short gap was a “decision of desire”. His run came as a bold and unusual stepping stone on the way to the European Half Marathon Championships in Rome on 9 June. Herzog said: “Now it‘s time to regenerate, before I get back into final preparations. I‘m focussing on the European Championships.”
The women‘s race was won by Eva Kovacs from Hungary in 3:06:06 hours. “I knew I was in the lead, but you never know what will happen. The course, the city and the surrounding mountains were beautiful. I came here to run a personal best, and I managed to do that,” said the 38-year-old athlete from Budapest.
Austrian Sabrina Exenberger took second place in 3:11:15. She was in front up to kilometer 33, but then had to drop back: “Luckily no-one overtook me.” Third place went to Eva Kiggen from Germany and Irena Abrozova from the Czech Republic, both in 3:12:36.
The flair of Salzburg, world-famous for classical music and the historic city centre, attracted participants from 85 nationalities. The runners were sent off at a new starting area on the “Staatsbrücke” bridge with a great view of the historic city centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzburg.
Date changes Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon
Race date for Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon (BEL) changed
Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon date change
The Brussels Airport Marathon & Half Marathon (BEL) will take place on Sun 3 November 2024, not Sun 29 September 2024 as previously published.
Date changes Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Correction: Race date for Haspa Marathon Hamburg (GER)
The Haspa Marathon Hamburg (GER) will take place on Sun 27 April 2025, not Tue 29 April 2025 as previously published.
Date changes Borobudur Marathon
Race date for Borobudur Marathon (INA) changed
Borobudur Marathon date change
The Borobudur Marathon (INA) will take place on Sun 1 December 2024, not Sun 3 November 2024 as previously published.
Race news Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Defending champion Bernard Koech and debutant Irine Cheptai win in Hamburg
Disappointment for Steinruck as hopes dashed of beating mother's PB
Defending champion Bernard Koech and fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg with world-class times. Koech crossed the line in a brilliant 2:04:24 and clocked the eighth fastest time in the world this year.
Missing his own course record and PB by just 15 seconds Koech became the first man to successfully defend the title in Hamburg since Julio Rey of Spain in 2006. Ethiopia’s Haymanot Alew took second with 2:05:30 and Philemon Kiplimo of Kenya was third in 2:05:37.
There was a thrilling duel in the women’s race. Irine Cheptai won the battle and produced one of the fastest marathon debuts in history with 2:18:22. Fellow-Kenyan Winfridah Moseti smashed her PB with 2:18:25 for second place. These are the second and third fastest times in the history of the race. Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase took third with 2:21:19.
Organisers registered a record entry number of 38,210 athletes for the 38th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. This includes races at shorter distances. 15,000 marathon runners were among the entries. “It was a superb race which produced some of the fastest times ever in Hamburg. However for many athletes conditions became tough when it suddenly warmed up strongly during the race,“ said Chief Organiser Frank Thaleiser.
For long periods of the race the leading group was on course to break the course record of 2:04:09 which Bernard Koech established a year ago. After a 1:28:14 split time at 30k the last pacemaker dropped out and then Koech took off, immediately leaving behind Haymanot Alew, Philemon Kiplimo and fellow-Kenyan Ronald Korir. Koech covered the next 5k section in a breathtaking 14:17 and when he went through 35k in 1:42:31 it looked like he might finish in around 2:03:30. “But then I had a difficult section and because of that I missed the course record,“ Bernard Koech later explained. „But this is sport, I am not at all disappointed. It was a great race and I might well come back again next year.“ For the second time since 2022 four athletes ran sub 2:06:00 in Hamburg.
Germany’s Sebastian Hendel finished in a strong tenth place with a huge PB of 2:08:51. The 28 year-old had a personal record of 2:10:14 before and now became the ninth fastest German marathon runner ever.
For over 30 kilometres Gotytom Gebreslase, the Marathon World Champion from 2022, ran together with Kenyans Irine Cheptai and Winfridah Moseti in the leading group. However with 10k to go the Ethiopian dropped back. With the leaders out of sight her dream of competing in the Olympics probably vanished. In the end Gotytom Gebreslase finished a distant third in 2:21:19. The battle for victory continued right into the home straight. Then the 2017 World Cross Country Champion Irine Cheptai opened a small gap and crowned her strong marathon debut with a win in 2:18:22. She was three seconds ahead of Winfridah Moseti. The two Kenyans managed to run the second half quicker than the first (69:44) and placed themselves on positions eleven and twelve in the 2024 world list.
“I never expected to win the race. I had hoped to maybe finish second or third,“ said Irine Cheptai. “Perhaps I can now run between 2:14 and 2:15 in my next marathon. I would like to run here in Hamburg again next year.“ In seventh place Argentinian Daiana Ocampo was the only athlete in Hamburg to achieve Olympic qualification.
There was very bad luck for Katharina Steinruck once more. The German, who hoped to break her mother’s PB (Katrin Dörre-Heinig, the Olympic bronze medallist from 1988, ran 2:24:35 in Hamburg 25 years ago), had to side step at a refreshment point when a pacemaker stepped into her way. She then collided full speed with a drinks table, fell and had to give up injured shortly after that. This happened shortly before the half way point and she had been running 2:23 pace. Rabea Schöneborn was the best German with 2:35:07 in 13th place.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Bernard | KOECH | KEN | 2:04:24 |
| 2 | Haymanot | ALEW | ETH | 2:05:30 |
| 3 | Philemon | KIPLIMO | KEN | 2:05:37 |
| 4 | Ronald | KORIR | KOR | 2:05:41 |
| 5 | Tsedat | AYANA | ETH | 2:06:40 |
Women
| 1 | Irine | CHEPTAI | KEN | 2:18:22 |
| 2 | Winfridah | MOSETI | KEN | 2:18:25 |
| 3 | Gotytom | GEBRESLASE | ETH | 2:21:19 |
| 4 | Jackline | CHERONO | KEN | 2:21:40 |
| 5 | Aminet | AHMED | ETH | 2:23:27 |
Race news Türkiye İş Bankası İstanbul Half Marathon
Sheila Chelangat surprises in Istanbul
Hicham Amghar wins men's race
Sheila Chelangat is the surprise winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The Kenyan smashed her personal best and clocked a fine 66:47 despite rainy weather conditions and slippery roads.
Fellow-Kenyan and debutant Miriam Chebet took second with 67:14 while Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw was third in 68:17. The women’s race had a very good depth with eight runners finishing inside 69:00. Hicham Amghar of Marocco, who was runner-up a year ago, won the men’s race with a personal best of 59:47. Dinkalem Ayele was second in 59:55 while fellow-Ethiopian Gemechu Bute took third with 60:03.
A record number of 14,200 runners entered the 19th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. This includes athletes who competed in a 10k race staged parallel.
Sheila Chelangat, who was the tenth fastest woman on the start list with a personal best of 69:38, took the lead relatively early in the race. The 26 year-old Kenyan ran behind a pacemaker when she moved clear between 7 and 10 k. Despite the poor weather conditions she was able to keep the pace high and was so strong that she was never challenged. “I am really happy with my performance and the victory. However the weather was poor and the roads were slippery,“ said Sheila Chelangat, who achieved her biggest career victory so far in Istanbul. “I am not yet planning a marathon debut,“ said the Kenyan, who only ran her half marathon debut last month in Lille, where she was second.
Competing for second place Miriam Chebet and Zewditu Aderaw were battling between 10 and 13k. Then Kenya’s debutant Chebet was able to move away from the Ethiopian. Running her debut half marathon in Istanbul the former European 5,000 m Meraf Bahta finished in 16th position with 72:51. The Swede was the best European in the race, but missed the qualifying standard for the continental championships in Rome in June by over a minute.
In the men’s race a bigger leading group passed the 10k mark in 28:39. In-form Dinkalem Ayele was among the leaders, along with Hicham Amghar and Gemechu Bute. Ayele was the winner of the Lisbon Half Marathon this spring, but in the final stages the Ethiopian could not get passed Amghar. The runner from Marocco was in the lead after 17k with Ayele and Bute close behind. Finishing runner-up and beaten by just six seconds a year ago this time Amghar made sure he is the number one. With 59:47 he was eight seconds ahead and improved his PB from 2023 by six seconds.
“Despite the weather I was able to run a personal best, so I am very happy. It was better to have rain instead of wind,“ said the 29 year-old winner, who celebrated one of his best career performances. “I may well return to Istanbul in November for my marathon debut. I really like the way the organisers take care of the elite runners here,“ said Hicham Amghar.
While Ethiopia’s pre-race favorite Solomon Berihu did not finish, Canada’s Cameron Levins was the fastest non-African runner in eighth place. He clocked a fine 60:38, missing his national record by just 20 seconds. Further down the results list there was a national record for the Virgin Islands: Eduardo Garcia ran 63:53 for 29th place.
The reigning European half marathon champion Tadesse Abraham of Switzerland finished in 24th position with 63:18. “It was a good race, but mentally I am not well,” said Tadesse Abraham, who still has to come to terms with with loss of his fellow-Swiss marathon runner Adrian Lehmann, who died after a heart attack just eight days ago. “I came to Istanbul to run and get this a bit out of my head. Taking this into account I am satisfied with my performance today.”
Race news Gifu Half Marathon
Kipkoech and Chesang win Gifu Half Marathon for the first time
Neck-and-neck competition on the first summer day of the year in Gifu, Japan
At the Gifu Half Marathon 2024, Hillary Kipkoech of Kenya and Stella Chesang of Uganda claimed their first victories in times of 1:01:26 and 1:07:59 respectively.
The 13th edition race was held under sunny, clear skies in an unprecedented heat of 28 degrees Celsius, making the city the stage for a ‘hot race’ both literally and figuratively.
In the men’s race, Kipkoech, Defending Champion Amos Kurgat of Kenya, and Timothy Kiplagat of Kenya ran together with other athletes and led the race from the beginning. In the difficult conditions under strong, direct sunlight, the lead runner in the pack kept changing, but around 14 km, Kipkoech and Kurgat pulled away from the rest, and the battle for victory was narrowed down to the two runners. At the uphill after the water station just passed the last 3 km point, Kipkoech sped up and gradually pulled away from Kurgat until winning his first title of the Gifu Half Marathon in 1:01:26. Kurgat came in second in 1:01:38 and Kiplagat in third in 1:01:55.
In the women’s race, three powerful athletes of Chesang, Defending Champion for two consecutive years, Dolphine Nyaboke Omare of Kenya, and the 2023 Asian Games Champion Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain led the competition. As Chumba started to lag behind around 10 km, the race turned neck to neck between Chesang and Omare in the early stage. The duo ran side by side until Chesang spurred off around 18 km to run solo. Attracting the spectators gathered along the course with her rhythmical and tireless running form, Chesang achieved her first victory in Gifu and a new personal best in 1:07:59. Omare finished in second in 1:08:31 and Chumba third in 1:09:10.
In addition to the world’s top elite athletes, over 7,600 runners from Japan and abroad participated in the Gifu Half Marathon 2024, enjoying the attractive race course filled with Gifu’s popular sites, such as the magnificent nature of the clear Nagara River, the historical scenery of Gifu Castle and its Castle town, and the downtown areas in front of Gifu Station and Yanagikase Shopping Street. On the back of the runners, the number bibs with handwritten cheering messages from local children encouraged them to finish the race.
On Saturday, April 27, the day before the race, the event signed and announced a sister race affiliation with the Bangsaen21, a World Athletics Platinum Label half marathon race, for the mutual development of both races and further promotion of friendship through the exchange of runners and PR activities. This is the second partnership with an overseas race for Gifu, following last year’s Sydney Marathon of Australia. The Gifu Half Marathon, started in 2011 by Naoko Takahashi, Race Chairperson, former world record holder, and 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist from Gifu, with the theme ‘From Gifu to the World’ in hopes of encouraging younger Japanese athletes to compete in international competitions, is continuing to evolve further as an event that attracts runners’ from the World to Gifu.’
Race Chairperson Naoko Takahashi comments: “I would like to give a big round of applause to all the runners who participated in the race and the volunteers and staff who supported it. It was one of the best days of my life, filled with countless words of thank you.”
Race news Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Course records and Olympic qualification the targets in Hamburg
Koech and Gebreslase are favourites
World-class fields will go for course records and target Olympic qualification in Sunday’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg.
Kenya’s defending champion and course record holder Bernard Koech, who tied his personal best with 2:04:09 a year ago, is back while Gotytom Gebreslase, the World Champion from 2022, is the favourite in the women’s race.
The Ethiopian, who has a PB of 2:18:18, wants to secure the third spot for the Paris Olympic race in Hamburg. Fellow-Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw holds Hamburg’s course record of 2:17:23. Late entry Nienke Brinkman will also try to qualify for Paris. The Dutch runner is the bronze medallist from the European Championships in Munich in 2022.
Organisers of Germany’s biggest and fastest spring marathon have registered a record total of 38,210 runners. Among them are 15,000 athletes who will compete in the classic event. “If all goes well on Sunday and the pacemakers run a bit more even and slightly faster we could see similar results to last year. I am curious to see if Gotytom Gebreslase manages to qualify for Paris and if she is able to break the course record. But even a sub 2:20 time is something special since we only have one so far,“ said chief organiser Frank Thaleiser, who introduced an additional bonus of 20,000 Euros for the course records. All runners – men and women – who finish inside the course records share this amount. If there would be one man and three women who clock faster times than the previous records they would each receive 5,000 Euros. “This way we want to encourage the runners in a leading group to go for a fast time after the last pacemaker has dropped out,“ explained Frank Thaleiser.
“Training was going well and compared to last year in Hamburg I have reached the same level. So if the weather conditions are fine then a fast time is possible,“ said Bernard Koech. It is highly unlikely that he could still be selected for the Olympic marathon, but he said: “I will give everything and if they should select me then I will be ready.“ Bernard Koech is one of seven runners in the race who feature personal bests of sub 2:05:00. While Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla is the fastest on the start list with 2:03:34 he has not reached such times in recent years.
Brimin Misoi and Philemon Kiplimo are tipped to be among the strongest challengers for defending champion Koech. Both have done very well on German roads in the past. Misoi has won the Frankfurt Marathon twice in a row. When he defended his title last autumn the Kenyan improved to 2:04:53 despite windy and rainy conditions. He now intends to run faster in Hamburg. “I ran the Paris Marathon at the beginning of April. But because of breathing problems I dropped out and then decided to go for Hamburg,“ said Misoi. It was in Berlin last year, where Philemon Kiplimo improved to 2:04:56 and finished eighth in a very competitive race. “German roads are good for me, so I am looking forward to Sunday. I want to run with the leading group and improve my time,“ said Kiplimo, who has a superb half marathon PB of 58:11.
“We are planning a pace in the region of the course record, may be slightly faster. Additionally there will be a really big group of probably 25 athletes who will target the 2:08:10 Olympic qualifying time“, said Hamburg’s Elite Race Coordinator Jurrie van der Velden of Jos Hermens’ Global management. “We are not quite sure yet, but the women’s leading group might run a pace somewhere between 2:16 and 2:18. There is a group as well which targets Olympic qualification, running sub 2:26:50 pace.“
“It is my goal to qualify for the Olympics on Sunday,“ said Gotytom Gebreslase, who surprisingly won her debut marathon in Berlin in 2021, then went on to become World Champion in the following year and took the silver medal at last year’s global championships in Budapest. Jurrie van der Velden explained that the Ethiopian federation usually selects the two fastest runners during the qualifying window and then picks the athlete who performed best at major championships as long as that athlete confirms good form. When Gebreselase ran the Nagoya Marathon in March she did not finish. “I got stomach problems during the race and dropped out after 35k. Then I trained well and decided to run in Hamburg. I am in good form now and want to run sub 2:18 here. Perhaps I can attack the course record. I would think such a performance should be enough to get selected,“ said Gotytom Gebreslase.
Nienke Brinkman joined Hamburg’s elite field at short notice. The European bronze medallist from 2022 has still not achieved the qualifying time for the Olympics. She ran her PB of 2:22:51 in 2022, but that was outside the qualifying period. A year ago Brinkman clocked a fine 2:24:58 in Boston, but this course is not record eligible and results do not count as qualifying times. However it is a far easier task for Brinkman to achieve qualification in Hamburg than for Gebreslase. Reaching the qualifying standard of 2:26:50 should be enough for the former Durch record holder.
A debutant could well be in the mix for at least a place on the podium: Irine Cheptai is the World Cross Country Champion from 2017. “I started preparing for my marathon debut in January and training went very well. I think I will go with the second group on Sunday,“ said the Kenyan who has already run a very fast and promising half marathon time of 64:53.
Among a number of German runners Katharina Steinruck is probably the one who could produce the national highlight in Hamburg. She improved to 2:24:56 this winter and now hopes to break the family record: It was exactly 25 years ago when Katrin Dörre-Heinig, the bronze medallist of the 1988 Olympic marathon in Seoul, won the Hamburg Marathon with 2:24:35. For many years this remained the German marathon record. “It is my aim to break my Mum’s record and it would be great if I could do it in Hamburg,“ said Steinruck.
Race news Türkiye İş Bankası İstanbul Half Marathon
Berihu, Ayele and Zeray ready for fast racing in Istanbul
Surprise return for Ali Kaya
Solomon Berihu of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui head a very strong field of elite runners at the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday.
They feature personal bests of 59:17 and 65:46 respectively.
The men’s field is really impressive since eight runners have already broken the one hour mark and another nine feature personal bests of sub 61:00. There are seven women with sub 68:00 PBs and an additional three have run under 70:00. A couple of European runners will try to achieve the qualifying times for the European Championships in Rome in June. Among them are Turkey’s record holder Ali Kaya, who will start a comeback, and Sweden’s debutant Meraf Bahta. The required times stand at 61:40 and 70:30 for men and women respectively.
Organisers of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, which is a Gold Label Road Race of World Athletics, have registered a record number of 14,200 runners. This includes a 10k race staged parallel on Sunday. Turkey’s number one road race is one of the world’s major half marathons and has a world record course. Three years ago Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich broke the global mark in Istanbul with 64:02. While the world record has been improved since the course record still stands and will likely remain in place on Sunday.
However there could still be another very fast time from the women’s winner on Sunday. With a personal best of 66:04 Ftaw Zeray is the second fastest on the start list behind Gladys Chepkurui. It was three weeks ago when the 26 year-old ran her first race of the year and finished runner-up in the Berlin Half Marathon. In very difficult conditions with temperatures well over 20 Celsius she still ran 67:22. “I have well recovered from the race in Berlin. I feel I can run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Ftaw Zeray, who was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships last year.
With regard to the weather forecast high temperatures will not be a problem for Ftaw Zeray on Sunday in Istanbul. But with six other women who have already run sub 68:00 the challenge is likely to be tougher than in the German capital. While Gladys Chepkurui missed her flight to Istanbul and will now arrive half a day later, she will hardly be delayed when it comes to racing fast. The Kenyan clocked her 65:46 PB in Barcelona a year ago and has run sub 70:00 eleven times. Ethiopians Betelihem Afenigus and Aberash Shilima are the next fastest on the entry list with PBs of 66:46 and 67:26 respectively. However a debutant could also be in the mix for a place on the podium: Just 21 years old Miriam Chebet showed great form and consistency this year with three sub 31:00 times at 10k. When she won the race in Ibiza, Spain, in January she clocked a fine PB of 30:40.
Another promising debutant is Sweden’s Meraf Bahta. The European 5,000 m champion from 2014 is a late entry to the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The 34 year-old is the Swedish 10k record holder with a 31:22 PB from 2022. The former Eritrean could qualify for the European Championships if she runs 70:30 or faster in her debut. Due to an injury Italy’s Giovanna Epis had to withdraw from the race in Istanbul.
Solomon Berihu is the fastest runner on the start list with his PB of 59:17. He ran this time back in 2019 in New Delhi and has not raced for almost a year. “I had an injury that kept me away from training. Now, I am feeling better and I am back in shape,“ explained the 24 year-old Ethiopian, who hopes to come back with a bang on Sunday. “My first goal is to win the race, but I am also hoping to run 59:30 or even faster.“ The Istanbul course record stands at 59:15.
Another Ethiopian is among the hot favourites: Dinkalem Ayele has shown great form this year when he improved to 59:30 in Barcelona and then won the Lisbon Half Marathon in very warm conditions with 60:36. “I am in good form and confident that I can go close to 59 minutes if weather conditions are suitable,“ said 23 year-old Dinkalem Ayele.
Solomon Kipchoge will probably be among the athletes who will challenge the two Ethiopians. The Kenyan, who improved his half marathon PB by almost two and a half minutes last year when he ran 59:37 in Lille, chose to come to Istanbul because of the fast course. “I will not start the race with a certain time or placing in mind. It depends on how my body will feel during the race. But I will try to improve my PB,“ said Solomon Kipchoge, who has the same surname as the double Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge. “I have no connection to Eliud, I am often asked about this outside Kenya. I am happy to be asked, because Eliud is a legend.“
Having not raced since 2020, Ali Kaya surprised the organisers when he asked them to include him on the start list for a comeback race. The 30 year-old former Kenyan, who competed for Turkey since 2013, is a former winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. When he took the race in 2016 he established a national record of 60:16 that still stands today. The 61:40 qualifying time for the European Championships could be a goal for Ali Kaya. Spaniard Juan Antonio Perez, who has a PB of 60:58, will probably also target this time.
Race news Copenhagen Half Marathon
Kiplimo will run in Copenhagen
World record holder is first elite athlete named
Organisers of the Copenhagen Half Marathon have announced that Jacob Kiplimo will run in the event on September 15.
Kiplimo, the current world record holder for the half marathon, may try to beat his own record of 57:31 set in Lisbon in 2021, suggested organisers.
Despite his age of only 24, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has already established himself as one of the world’s leading long-distance runners. This year he also shows excellent form where won the World Athletics Cross Country championships in Belgrade.
“We are proud that Jacob Kiplimo will start in Copenhagen. His participation is a clear proof that Copenhagen Half Marathon is established as one of the most prestigious and fastest half marathon races in the world and can attract both the absolute world elite and a record number of participants from both Denmark and abroad,” said Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of the organisers, Sparta Athletics & Running.
Race news Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Gotytom Gebreslase added to Hamburg field
Former world champion is fastest woman ever entered in event
Gotytom Gebreslase, the World Champion from Eugene 2022, has been added to the strong elite field of Sunday’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg.
The Ethiopian was runner-up at last year’s global championships in Budapest and has a personal best of 2:18:11. With this time she is the fastest woman ever entered into the Haspa Marathon Hamburg.
In the men’s race Bernard Koech returns to Hamburg as the defending champion. The Kenyan broke the course record last year with 2:04:09. Organisers expect to register a total of more than 35,000 runners for the 38th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. Over 14,000 of them are marathon runners.
“We have made a really strong development in recent years. In the past two editions there were three course records and world-class times. Now we have assembled another great field and it is quite possible that the course records come under threat once again,“ said the chief organiser of Germany’s biggest spring marathon, Frank Thaleiser.
Gotytom Gebreslase, who sensationally won her marathon debut in Berlin in 2021, hopes to still qualify for the Olympic Games. However because of the extraordinary strong competition for the three places she would probably have to smash the course record of 2:17:23 set by fellow-Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw two years ago. Nine Ethiopian women have run sub 2:17:00 during the qualifying period, which was supposed to end on 30th April but has now been extended by World Athletics to 5th May.
Getaneh Molla heads an impressive men’s start list on which seven athletes have personal bests faster than 2:05:00. The Ethiopian ran his PB of 2:03:34 when winning an impressive marathon debut in Dubai in 2019. However he has not run as fast again since then. In contrast course record holder Bernard Koech has already run sub 2:05 on three occasions. While fellow Kenyan Samwel Mailu had to cancel his start because of an injury, a debutant could be in for a surprise: Former Kenyan Abraham Cheroben, who competes for Bahrain, has a world-class half marathon PB of 58:40.
Race news Vienna City Marathon
Regasa wins with third fastest Vienna time ever
Weldu qualifies for Paris Olympics
Chala Regasa and Nazret Weldu are the winners of the 41st Vienna City Marathon. Both produced such dominating performances that they finished minutes ahead. Regasa crossed the line in 2:06:35 which is the third fastest time in the history of the event.
In windy conditions this remained the only sub 2:10 time of the day. Kenyans Bernard Muia and Albert Kangogo followed in second and third places with 2:10:42 and 2:10:44 respectively. In cold temperatures between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius, Nazret Weldu produced the first ever Eritrean victory at the Vienna City Marathon. With 2:24:08 she achieved qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer and was the only athlete in the race to do so. Newcomer Faith Chepkoech produced a major surprise, when she came through in the late stages and took second in 2:26:22. Fellow-Kenyan Rebecca Tanui was third with 2:26:53.
Organisers registered a total of 42,625 athletes from 143 nations including races at shorter distances. Among them were 10,024 marathon runners. This is the third highest entry figure ever in the history of an event that belongs to the world’s major marathons.
It was only during the early stages that the men were running split times which pointed towards a possible course record. That was partly because there is a drop in the first section of the course and the wind came from behind. At half way it was obvious that an attack on Samwel Mailu’s 2:05:08 course record would not be on the cards in the windy conditions. A group of five runners passed this point in 63:03 behind two pacemakers: Daniel Paulus of Namibia, who hoped to run inside the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10, Chala Regasa and Kenyans Bernard Muia, Felix Kibitok and Leonard Barsoton.
Daniel Paulus did push the pace a couple of times, but he could not hold on after the 30k point. When the last of the pacemakers dropped out at this point it was Chala Regasa who was ahead and quickly built a big lead. It was no coincidence that he pulled away in the section beyond 30k that leads through the Prater Park. In 2019 Chala Regasa was among the pacemakers when Eliud Kipchoge sensationally broke the two hour barrier in Vienna. “I knew the section between 30 and 38k and that was why I pushed ahead there,“ said the 26 year-old Ethiopian who is a training partner of Kenenisa Bekele. “I hoped to break 2:06 today and I tried. But it was very windy in the final 10 kilometres and it was not possible,“ said Chala Regasa, who was the fastest runner on the start list with his PB of 2:06:11. With 2:06:35 he still achieved the third fastest time ever run in the Vienna City Marathon. Besides Samwel Mailu only Ethiopia’s Getu Feleke, who ran 2:05:41 ten years ago, has been faster on this course.
Over four minutes behind Chala Regasa there was a thrilling fight for the remaining podium places. Bernard Muia came through to take second in 2:10:42. The Kenyan, who won the Munich Marathon last October with a PB of 2:09:17, had been in fourth position at 40k and was 48 seconds behind second place at that point. It was similar with fellow-Kenyan Albert Kangogo, who was sixth at 40k and then finished third with 2:10:44.
In the women’s race three runners broke away very early in the race. Nazret Weldu, Rebecca Tanui and Kenya’s Shyline Torotich were already leading by a couple of seconds at the 5k mark. As in the men’s race they also slowed a little after the first section. With a half way split of 71:49 the 2:20:59 course record was out of reach for the trio.
While Nazret Weldu was able to more or less keep the pace even in the windier sections of the second half the Kenyans struggled. Shyline Torotich was dropped around 23k and later ended up in sixth with 2:30:36. Rebecca Tanui was still with Nazret Weldu at 30k (1:42:21), but then also slowed. While she took third place Faith Chepkoech managed to move herself up from fourth place at 30k to second despite taking a wrong turn. Around the 31k mark the Kenyan ran around 150 metres off the course, then turned and ran back, loosing about one minute. It was the first time that an international very unexperienced athlete of the "OPEC Fund Rookie Team“ managed to achieve a podium place in the Vienna City Marathon. The 26 year-old ran 2:26:22, improving her PB from a race in Soweto, South Africa, by over eleven minutes.
“It was a great day for me. My big goal was to qualify for the Olympic Games and if possible I wanted to win – I have achieved both,“ said Nazret Weldu, who was fourth at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022. “Apart from the wind it was a fantastic race. This victory gives me a lot of confidence. I will now try to win a medal at the Olympic Games in Paris and then I hope to come back to Vienna next year to run faster."
Among the other running events staged during the weekend was an upcoming 5k race. Over 3,300 runners entered the race which took place on Saturday evening and saw its second edition. Austrian youngster Marcel Tobler was the winner with a course record of 14:22. Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth of Hungary took the women’s race in 15:57.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Chala | REGASA | ETH | 2:06:35 |
| 2 | Bernard | MUIA | KEN | 2:10:42 |
| 3 | Albert | KANGOGO | KEN | 2:10:44 |
| 4 | Leonard | BARSOTON | KEN | 2:10:44 |
| 5 | Cameron | AVERY | NZL | 2:10:52 |
Women
| 1 | Nazret | WELDU | ERI | 2:24:08 |
| 2 | Faith | CHEPKOECH | KEN | 2:26:22 |
| 3 | Rebecca | TANUI | KEN | 2:26:53 |
| 4 | Jovana | DE LA CRUZ CAPANI | PER | 2:27:54 |
| 5 | Lilia | FISIKOVICI | MDA | 2:30:06 |
Race news Sarmang Dehradun Marathon
Sarmang Dehradun Marathon opens registrations
Third edition of race
The organisers of the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon, Sarmang Adventure Tours and Sarmang Society, have announced the opening of registrations for the third edition of the event.
This annual international race, held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, attracts runners from around the world, making it a truly global celebration of athleticism and sportsmanship.
“We are excited to open registrations for the third edition of the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon,” said Anil Mohan, Race Director of the event. “This marathon has become a hallmark of sporting excellence, bringing together runners from diverse backgrounds to experience the beauty of Dehradun while showcasing their athletic prowess. We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world to this year’s event.”
The Sarmang Dehradun Marathon is the only event in Uttarakhand certified by both the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics, underscoring its commitment to upholding the highest standards of excellence in distance running.
This year’s event will take place on 29 September 2024, with registrations officially opening on 17 April 2024, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Shri Rama.
Participants can choose from five race categories, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a fun run/walk of 2K. Awards will be given to the top three winners in each competitive race, with overall winners in the full marathon, half marathon, and 10K races receiving cash prizes.
The marathon course is measured and certified by World Athletics, ensuring accuracy and authenticity for participants.
The certified route will take participants through the beautiful landscapes of Dehradun, showcasing the city’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Date changes Tlajomulco Half Marathon Skarch Hydrated by Electrolit
Race date for Tlajomulco Half Marathon Skarch Hydrated by Electrolit (MEX) changed
Tlajomulco Half Marathon date change
The Tlajomulco Half Marathon Skarch Hydrated by Electrolit (MEX) will take place on Sun 18 August 2024, not Sun 6 October 2024 as previously published.
Date changes RunBangla Half Marathon
Race date for RunBangla Half Marathon (BAN) changed
RunBangla Half Marathon date change
The RunBangla Half Marathon (BAN) will take place on Fri 8 November 2024, not Fri 20 December 2024 as previously published.
AIMS Congress
AIMS President invites members to Hanoi
Congress website launched
Dear AIMS members,
You are all most certainly aware of the difficulties we have faced over the last four years. But rather than dwell upon that we would like to congratulate all those who stood tall and kept their events up and running…
With our strongest feelings of solidarity and commitment we announce that the XXIV World Congress of AIMS will be hosted in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 14 – 17 November, 2024. It gives me great pleasure to announce that the website for the Congress has been launched. We will be waiting for you all to enjoy Vietnamese hospitality and learn of the progress of running organizations over the last few years.
https://vietnamheritagemarathon.com/en/web/aims2024
Let me look back for a moment to express our most grateful thanks to our friends at the Osaka Marathon for their important help in hosting the XXIII World Congress of AIMS in 2023. Being prepared through the most difficult of times is the best of qualities… as Osaka proved!
Now we have the opportunity to experience that part of the world with the greatest increase of AIMS membership in recent years, South East Asia, with Vietnam being one of the countries with the most rapid economic growth and social development.
I am sure we will enjoy and learn a lot through our participation in this the most important event of 2024 for our running community.
Let’s meet at Hanoi in November, let’s share experiences and learn even more about today’s AIMS environment!
Paco Borao
AIMS President
This article was revised after first publication.
Race news ADAC Marathon Hannover
Petros and Mayer smash course records in Hannover
German runners come top in both categories
German winners Amanal Petros and Domenika Mayer smashed the course records at the ADAC Marathon Hannover.
Defending champion Petros improved his own course best of 2:07:02 from last year by almost one minute, winning in 2:06:05 despite windy conditions and warm sunshine during the final part of the race. Petros, who is the national record holder with 2:04:58, ran the second fastest time ever achieved by a German marathon runner. Kenyans Boaz Kipkemei and Victor Kiplimo took second and third with 2:07:06 and 2:09:58 respectively.
Domenika Mayer clocked 2:23:50 after battling with former Boston Marathon winner Sharon Cherop for much of the race. The Kenyan finished second in 2:24:41 and fellow-Kenyan Lilian Jebitok was third in 2:27:13. Domenika Mayer was almost two minutes faster than the previous course record of Croatia’s Matea Parlov Kostro, who ran 2:25:45 last year.
“I am really happy with these results. We got two German winners who both broke the course records,” said Race Director Stefanie Eichel. Including races at shorter distances, organisers registered a total of around 26,600 entries from over 100 nations for the 32nd edition of the ADAC Marathon Hannover. Almost 4,000 of them were marathon runners.
With a very even pace the men’s leading group reached the half way point after 63:10 and then 25k in 1:14:48. However at this stage there were only two Kenyans left besides Amanal Petros: debutant Boaz Kipkemei and pacemaker Evans Kimtai, who could not hold on to the pace much longer. He dropped out shortly after 27k. When Petros and Kipkemei then reached the 35k point their split time of 1:44:58 pointed towards a 2:06:30 finish. However besides the course record Amanal Petros also chased the German leading time of the year, Samuel Fitwi’s 2:06:27 from Dubai. Petros was able to put in another gear, moved away from Kipkemei and covered the final four kilometres in 2:55, 2:55, 2:55 and 2:50. “I did not expect to run 2:06:05 today,” said Amanal Petros, who can take plenty of motivation from this finish for the Olympic race in Paris in the summer. “Without the wind I think I would have been around one minute faster.”
Right from the start Domenika Mayer and Sharon Cherop separated themselves from the rest of the contenders. The 40 year-old Kenyan, who was third at the World Championships’ marathon in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011 and then took the Boston Marathon in the following year, showed a surprisingly strong performance at the age of 40. Mayer and Cherop were already one and a half minutes ahead when they reached half way in 71:43. The Kenyan had problems picking up her bottle at refreshment stations multiple times. She lost up to 20 metres each time, but always closed the gap. However with five kilometres to go Domenika Mayer finally pulled away. With 2:23:50 she missed her PB by just three seconds, but improved the course record of Croatia’s Matea Parlov Kostro (2:25:45 from last year) by almost two minutes.
“I am really happy with my race. I was surprised that Sharon held on for so long, but I just concentrated on myself and ran my own race,” said Domenika Mayer. “I am now looking forward to the Olympic Marathon. It will of course be a very different race on a hilly course and without pacers.” Sharon Cherop hopes to continue elite running for some more time. “I am happy with my race and I think I will be able to run 2:22 again,” said the Kenyan, whose PB from 2013 stands at 2:22:28. “I think I can run for a couple of more years and will now target an autumn marathon.”
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Amanal | PETROS | GER | 2:06:05 |
| 2 | Boaz | KIPKEMEI | KEN | 2:07:06 |
| 3 | Victor | KIPLIMO | KEN | 2:09:58 |
| 4 | Hammington | CHEROP | KEN | 2:12:01 |
| 5 | Jackson | RUTTO | KEN | 2:12:12 |
Women
| 1 | Domenika | MAYER | GER | 2:23:50 |
| 2 | Sharon | CHEROP | KEN | 2:24:41 |
| 3 | Lilian | JEBITOK | KEN | 2:27:13 |
| 4 | Sardana | TROFIMOVA | KGZ | 2:27:32 |
| 5 | Failuna | MATANGA | TAN | 2:27:33 |
Race news Generali Berlin Half Marathon
Ebenyo and newcomer Muluat prevail in warm Berlin weather
Heat dashes record hopes
Kenya’s pre-race favourite Daniel Ebenyo and Ethiopia’s youngster Tekle Muluat took the 43rd edition of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON.
In very warm weather with temperatures of well over 20 Celsius any hopes for a record race did not materialize. Ebenyo led a Kenyan clean sweep with a winning time of 59:30. Amos Kurgat (59:42) and Isaia Lasoi took second and third with 59:42 and 59:47 respectively. 19 year-old newcomer Tekle Muluat became the surprise champion with 66:53. Fellow-Ethiopian Ftaw Zeray was second with 67:22 and Germany’s Melat Kejeta took third place in 67:26.
With a record entry of 38,712 runners the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON is among the world’s biggest races over this distance.
Daniel Ebenyo avoided talking about a world record attempt at Friday’s pre-race press conference, but that was his big goal on Sunday. The silver medallist of last year’s World Half Marathon Championships started very fast and quickly was well ahead with his pacemaker Bravin Kiptoo. The two passed the 5k mark in 13:28 which pointed to a sensational sub 57:00 finishing time, well under the mark of Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (57:31). However this pace was a bit overambitious and with rising temperatures there was no chance for Daniel Ebenyo to keep running that fast. With a 27:29 10k split he was outside world record pace and from then on he had to run alone at the front. Ebenyo slowed further and soon after 15k (41:35) the 58:42 course record looked out of reach as well.
“I came here to Berlin because I wanted to break the world record. But from around eleven kilometres I had a problem with my knee and the weather became very warm. So I knew I would not be able to break the record, but I will definitely try again next time,“ said Daniel Ebenyo, who lost most of his huge lead in the final seven kilometres. However he held on and finished twelve seconds ahead of Amos Kurgat.
Germany’s Samuel Fitwi produced another strong race in Berlin. Despite also slowing considerably in the final stages he managed to run a PB of 61:33 and finish in ninth position, the same as a year ago. Fitwi also dipped under the qualifying time for the European Championships in Rome in June.
While spectators could enjoy the warm weather in summer clothes for the runners it was far from ideal. This also showed in the women’s elite race. The first couple of kilometre splits indicated that the 65:02 course record could be attacked and that Melat Kejeta might go for the European record of 65:15. However when the women reached the 10k mark in 31:25 hopes for records were non-existent any more.
The race was now about victory. Ethiopians Tekle Muluat and Ftaw Zeray were already in the lead at the 10k point and soon moved well clear. With less than five kilometers to go newcomer Muluat left behind her rival. With a winning time of 66:53 she was 29 seconds ahead of Zeray. “I am overwhelmed to have won the race, because I never expected a victory today,“ said Tekle Muluat, who only ran her second race outside Ethiopia today. She was second in the Rome Ostia Half Marathon a month ago with 67:41.
Melat Kejeta came through from fifth to third position and clocked 67:26. “I am happy with my performance, but it was too warm for me. I wanted to run a faster time, but during the race I had to reduce my speed because of the conditions,“ said the German record holder (65:18).
Lauren McNeil and Clara Evans of Great Britain finished in fifth and sixth positions with 70:10 and 70:11 respectively. Both were inside the 70:30 qualifying time for the European Championships.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Daniel | EBENYO | KEN | 59:30 |
| 2 | Amos | KURGAT | KEN | 59:42 |
| 3 | Isaia | LASOI | KEN | 59:47 |
| 4 | Benard | BIWOTT | KEN | 1:00:21 |
| 5 | Bravin | KIPROP | KEN | 1:00:29 |
Women
| 1 | Daniel | EBENYO | KEN | 59:30 |
| 2 | Amos | KURGAT | KEN | 59:42 |
| 3 | Isaia | LASOI | KEN | 59:47 |
| 4 | Benard | BIWOTT | KEN | 1:00:21 |
| 5 | Bravin | KIPROP | KEN | 1:00:29 |
Race news Movistar Madrid Medio Maratón
Historic edition of Madrid Medio Marathon
Aberash Shilima Kebeda and Mike Kipkorir are the winners
The 2024 edition of the Movistar Madrid Medio Maraton has been thrilling with the disputed victories in the men’s category of the Kenyan athlete Mike Kipkorir and in the women’s category of the Ethiopian athlete Aberash Shilima Kebeda, and the incredible and emotional stories of inspiring athletes such as the Paralympian Lorenzo Albaladejo, Álex Roca or José Luis Capitán, suffering from ALS.
In addition, two of the best athletes in history, the Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie and the Portuguese Rosa Mota, were the ambassadors of the race. A total of 23,000 runners took part in the Movistar Madrid Medio Maraton (an all-time participation record with 21,000 athletes) and the ProFuturo Race.
In sporting terms, the large group of up to 30 elite athletes fought for victory on the brand new and monumental course with a spectacular final kilometre along the Gran Vía to Paseo de Recoletos, passing by the emblematic Telefónica Building, engaging with Telefónica’s Centenary and as part of its celebratory events. In the men’s category, a group of up to four runners kept an eye on each other until the last kilometres, but the final attack by Kenyan Mike Kipkorir was devastating. Kipkorir clocked in 1h01:07, 13 seconds ahead of the firs runner up Ezekiel Mutai, of Uganda. Another Kenyan athlete, Esphond Cheruiyot, was third with 1h01:24. The first Spaniard to finish was Ayad Lamdassem, tenth, with 1h06:45. Other illustrious names of Spanish athletics, such as Chema Martínez, ambassador of Telefónica, Abel Antón, ambassador of Joma Sport or Pablo Villalobos, also ran the 21,097 metres through the centre of Madrid.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Aberash Shilima Kebeda dominated the race quite convincingly to take the victory in 1h08:31, almost a minute and a half ahead of her pursuers. The Kenyans Beatrice Nyaboke Begi and Vivian Jerotich Kosgei, second and third, respectively, tried to chase the Ethiopian without success. Clara Simal from Madrid, from the Agrupación Deportiva Marathon, organiser of the race, was once again the first Spaniard to finish, repeating her ninth place in the general classification that she achieved in 2023.
The ProFuturo 5km race was also held today in parallel to the Movistar Madrid Medio Maraton. This charity event was born in 2016 with a clear objective: to run for education. Since then, it has taken to the streets of Madrid to celebrate a day full of sport and commitment focused on contributing to the ProFuturo educational programme, with the aim of continuing to bring the transformative power of education, innovation and technology to children in every corner of the planet.
The victory went to Claudia Moreno (20:15) in the women’s category and to Sergio Salinero (17:20) in the men’s category. The ProFuturo Race, one of the most popular and charity races on the calendar, raised €19,100, which will be donated to the digital education programme with which Fundación Telefónica and Fundación “la Caixa” contribute to closing the educational gap in isolated environments and those at risk of exclusion in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Paralympic athlete Lorenzo Albaladejo, considered the best athlete with cerebral palsy in the history of Spain in sprint events, also completed the race.
The Movistar Madrid Half Marathon is the fastest half marathon in the city, awarded “Road Race Label” by the international federation World Athletics, which includes it in its official calendar of road races, and was named by the Madrid City Council as an “event of general interest for the city”, as it is one of the most emblematic and traditional races in the country.
The race is organised by Agrupación Deportiva Marathon, Atresmedia and Sport Life Ibérica, with the main sponsorship of Movistar and with the institutional support of the Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid. Joma Sport is the technical sponsor and Garmin, AhorraMás, Rafaelhoteles, Alquiber, Deloitte, ElPozo Bienstar, Vitaldin Sport, Gourmet Latino, Oakberry and Physiorelax are collaborating.
Result
Half marathon
Men
| 1 | Mike Kipkorir | CHEMATOT | KEN | 1:01:07 |
| 2 | Ezekiel | MUTAIL | UGA | 1:01:20 |
| 3 | Esphond | CHERUIYOT | KEN | 1:01:24 |
Women
| 1 | Aberash Shilima | KEBEDA | ETH | 1:08:31 |
| 2 | Beatrice Nyaboke | BEGI | KEN | 1:09:57 |
| 3 | Vivian Jerotich | KOSGEI | KEN | 1:10:08 |
Race news Türkiye İş Bankası İstanbul Half Marathon
Berihu and Chepkurui head deep Istanbul elite fields
Around 16,000 runners expected to take part
With fast races and deep elite fields the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon has in recent years established itself among the world’s most prestigious races at the distance.
It looks certain that this pattern will be continued when the 19th edition takes place on 28th April. The current elite start list features 18 runners who have personal bests faster than 1:01:00 and nine women who have already run faster than 1:08:00. There are only very few other half marathons in the world who can match such an impressive depth. Ethiopia’s Solomon Berihu is currently the fastest athlete on the list with a PB of 59:17 while Gladys Chepkurui of Kenya heads the women’s field with 1:05:46.
In total around 16,000 runners are expected to compete in the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, including a 10k race staged parallel on 28th April. Turkey’s number one road race features a Gold Label of World Athletics, reflecting the high standards of the event. Registration for the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon is still possible at: https://www.istanbulyarimaratonu.com/en/
“The Türkiye İş Bankası İstanbul Half Marathon stands out with its historic route. It is also one of just a smaller number of races in the Gold Label category worldwide“, said Race Director Renay Onur. “Our race is a special event that brings together both internationally renowned athletes and talented newcomers. This year, elite athletes from many different countries will take part. Despite a month remaining until the deadline, the registration record has already been broken and we expect to have 16,000 athletes.”
With his personal best of 59:17 Solomon Berihu is just two seconds slower than Istanbul’s course record, set by Kenya’s Rodgers Kwemoi two years ago in windy conditions. It remains to be seen if the 59:15 record will be challenged next month. While Berihu is the fastest on paper a fellow Ethiopian has lately shown very good form: Dinkalem Ayele clocked a personal best of 59:30 for fourth place in Barcelona earlier this year. He then went on to take the prestigious Lisbon Half Marathon this month. Running in very warm conditions and without a pacemaker for much of the distance his winning time of 1:00:36 would most likely have been much faster in different circumstances.
23 year-old Ayele is the third fastest on the start list behind Berihu and Edmond Kipngetich. The Kenyan clocked 59:25 in Copenhagen two years ago. He has consistently run fine half marathon times, clocking times below 60:00 four times in the past three years. A runner from Kenya with a prominent name could be in for a surprise: Solomon Kipchoge (who is not related to the double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge) must still be regarded as a newcomer despite being already 27. He first raced in Europe in 2022, when he clocked 1:02:00 in Italy’s Trento Half Marathon. Last year Kipchoge improved significantly when he finished fifth in Lille with 59:37.
Cameron Levins might well try to challenge the African favorites. A year ago he broke the Canadian half marathon record when he won the race in Vancouver with 1:00:18. The Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon will be his first major race in a year, when Levins will compete in the Olympic marathon in Paris.
In the women’s field the fastest runner on the start list has shown great consistency in the half marathon: Gladys Chepkurui clocked her personal best of 1:05:46 in Barcelona last year, when she was fourth in a fast race. The 29-year-old has already run the half marathon under 70:00 on eleven occasions. Last year she competed at eight races over her favorite distance, winning three of them and finishing runner-up three times. Gladys Chepkurui already showed fine form this year as well, when she was third in Barcelona and second in New York with 1:06:34 and 1:09:27 respectively.
Ftaw Zeray is another athlete whose focus is very much on the half marathon. 2023 was her best year so far. The Ethiopian took third in the competitive Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates with 1:06:04, which remains her personal best. Zeray then was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, Latvia. This performance suggests that the 26 year-old should be able to improve her personal best.
Sheila Chelangat is an athlete who has just run her half marathon debut. The Kenyan was runner-up in Lille this March with 1:09:38. She has been a good track runner, featuring a fine PB of 14:40.51 in the 5,000 m. After a solid debut in Lille there is more to come from her.
Italy’s Giovana Epis is an experienced marathon runner, who was 12th at the World Championships in Budapest last year and has fine PB of 2:23:46. In the half marathon she has not yet broken 1:10:00 which she should be well capable of. Epis’ personal best stands at 1:10:15 and she is the leading European entrant of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon.
Date changes SPB Half Marathon. The Northern Capital
Race date for SPB Half Marathon. The Northern Capital (RUS) changed
SPB Half Marathon. The Northern Capital date change
The SPB Half Marathon. The Northern Capital (RUS) will be run on Sat 21 September 2024—Sun 22 September 2024, not Sun 4 August 2024 as previously published.
Race news EDP Lisbon Half Marathon
Kosgei and Ayele win Lisbon Half
Female champion more than three minutes ahead of nearest rival
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei and Dinkalem Ayele from Ethiopia won the 33rd edition of the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday.
Racing in warm and humid conditions, Kosgei clocked 1:05:51 to claim the women’s crown, finishing more than three minutes ahead of Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie, while Ayele held off Kenya’s Dominic Kiptarus to win the men’s race, 1:00:36 to 1:00:40.
In a tune-up race before the London Marathon, Kosgei confirmed her status of favorite, storming to the win just before the 10k point, to finish with a comfortable margin. Mulatie was second, in 1:09:00, with the Ethiopian Tigist Menigstu completing the podium, in 1:09:14.
In the men’s race, Ayele formed part of an five-strong pack that reached 10km in 28:35 and stayed together until the 20km mark, when he stormed to the victory. In the end, the 23 year-old Ethiopian won four seconds ahead of Kiptarus and 20 ahead Amanal Petros, the best European in the field today.
Besides the elite race, more than 13,000 runners finished the emblematic half marathon that started from the 25 de Abril Bridge, plus almost 10,000 in the 10K race (Vodafone 10K).
Result
Half marathon
Men
| 1 | Dinkalem | AYELE | ETH | 1:00:36 |
| 2 | Dominic Chemut | KIPTARUS | KEN | 1:00:40 |
| 3 | Amanal | PETROS | GER | 1:00:56 |
| 4 | Dennis Kibet | KITIYO | KEN | 1:00:58 |
| 5 | Bravin Kipkogei | KIPTOO | KEN | 1:01:10 |
Women
| 1 | Brigid | KOSGEI | KEN | 1:05:51 |
| 2 | Bosena | MULATIE | ETH | 1:09:00 |
| 3 | Tigist | MENIGSTU | ETH | 1:09:14 |
| 4 | Betty Chepkemoi | KIBET | KEN | 1:09:35 |
| 5 | Vivian | MELLY | KEN | 1:09:41 |
Race news Vienna City Marathon
Eritrean duo might eye two records at once in Vienna
Weldu and Tesfu have both run faster than course record before
Eritrean duo Nazret Weldu and Dolshi Tesfu head the current women’s start list of the Vienna City Marathon on 21st April, race organisers have announced.
Weldu and Tesfu, who are by some distance the fastest Eritrean women marathon runners in history, may be challenged by Kenyans Shyline Toroitich and Rebecca Tanui. There are hopes that the 41st edition of Austria’s major road race will see an attempt to break the course record, which currently stands at 2:20:59.
Including races at shorter distances, the organisers of the Vienna City Marathon expect to register over 40,000 entries for the 41st edition. Around 10,000 of them will be marathon runners. The Vienna City Marathon is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race.
It took 19 years until the women’s course record of Italy’s late Maura Viceconte was finally broken in the Austrian capital in 2019. Kenya’s Nancy Kiprop improved the mark to 2:22:12. However Kiprop’s time lasted much shorter than Viceconte’s. In 2022 fellow-Kenyan Vibian Chepkirui clocked 2:20:59.
Nazret Weldu and Dolshi Tesfu have both already run faster than Vienna’s course record: 34 year-old Weldu clocked a national record of 2:20:29 when she took a very strong fourth place in the World Championships’ Marathon in Eugene in 2022. She won the Daegu Marathon in South Korea with 2:21:56 in the same year and then placed sixth in Boston in 2023 with 2:23:25. Competing in a hot World Championships’ race in Budapest last summer Weldu finished eighth with 2:27:23. Despite this series of strong performances Nazret Weldu still has not achieved the Olympic qualifying standard for Paris. She will want to make sure in Vienna that she runs fast enough to get into the Olympic race.
Dolshi Tesfu features a personal best of 2:20:40. The 24 year-old, who is just 1.56 m tall and weighs just 42 kg, ran this time in her debut marathon when she finished ninth in Valencia in 2022. During the race Dolshi Tesfu ran the first half in 68:53, which is by far the fastest half marathon time ever run by an Eritrean woman. Dolshi Tesfu then showed fine performances in her two marathons in 2023 as well: First she was runner-up in Rotterdam with 2:21:35 and then she finished 10th in a hot World Championships’ marathon in Budapest in August. She is already qualified for the Olympic marathon.
When Weldu and Tesfu will come to Vienna for the first time they could attack two records in one go: While the course record stands at 2:20:59 for the two athletes the national record of 2:20:29 would probably be even more significant.
There is an athlete on the start list with a sub 2:20 PB, but at the age of 43 Helalia Johannes is not expected to challenge for victory. The Namibian ran 2:19:52 in 2020 and holds the masters world record since then.
Two Kenyan women could be the main challengers for Weldu and Tesfu: Shyline Toroitich and Rebecca Tanui both know how to win a city marathon. Toroitich took the Enschde Marathon last year with a personal best of 2:22:45 while Tanui was the winner of the San Sebastian Marathon in 2022 with a PB of 2:23:09 and then also won in Venice last autumn. Tanui will have the advantage of knowing the course of the Vienna City Marathon since she was fourth here last year with 2:26:34 in warm weather conditions.
For Andrea Ramirez Limon the Vienna City Marathon presents the last chance to achieve qualification for the Olympic Games’ marathon this summer. The Mexican has a personal best of 2:26:34. However she ran this back in 2020, so it does not count as an Olympic qualifier for Paris. While the qualifying time is 2:26:50, Andrea Ramirez Limon would need a faster time to succeed since the Olympic race will have a limit of 80 starters.
Austria’s record holder Julia Mayer has achieved qualification since she was among the 64 pre-qualified athletes at the end of January with her PB of 2:26:43. She will be among a group of runners who target the Olympic qualifying standard.
Race news EDP Lisbon Half Marathon
Former marathon world record holder Kosgei heads Lisbon Half elite field
EUR 150,000 bounty offered for a world record
Today, Maratona Clube de Portugal announces the women’s elite field for the upcoming EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, scheduled for March 17th.
The Kenyan Brigid Kosgei will be the top contender, looking for her first win at one of the fastest half marathons in the world.
Kosgei, 30, a previous marathon world record holder and still the third fastest woman ever (2:14:04), returns to Portugal for the fourth time, after coming second in 2022 in the same EDP Lisbon Half Marathon (1:06:46).
Besides Kosgei, the women’s elite field will feature other big names, such as the Ethiopians Bosena Mulatie (65.46) and Tigist Menigstu (66:20), and the Kenyan Betty Chepkemoi Kibet (66:37). All of them will be targeting the course record set last year by Almaz Ayana (1:05:30), but we can expect fast times, especially because there will be a bonus of EUR 150,000 for a new world record (Letesenbet Gidey, 62:52).
In the men’s field – also with a EUR 150,000 bonus for a world record (which was set by Jacob Kiplimo in this same course in 2021 (57:31) – the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon will have 10 athletes with personal bests below the hour. Kenyan Abraham Kiptum (59:09) and the Ethiopian Solomon Berihu (59:17) are the main contenders, but they will have strong competition from Dinkalem Ayele (59:30), Brian Kwemoi (59:37) and Bravin Kipkogei Kiptoo (59:37). Another athlete to keep an eye on is the American Leonard Korir, who will aim to break the national record of Ryan Hall (59:43).
Also, EDP Lisbon Half Marathon will have a few of the best European athletes, such as the Norwegian Sondre Moen (59:48), the Italian Eyob Ghebrehiwet Faniel (60:07) or the Germans Amanal Petros (60:00) and Hendrik Pfeiffer (62:05). Final mention to the Brazilian Daniel do Nascimento, who will also try to break the national record of Brazil (59:33 – Marílson dos Santos, in 2007).
Race news Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Yuka Ando first Japanese champion in three years in Nagoya
2:21:18 is her new personal best and first marathon victory – but it’s not enough for Paris
At the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2024 held today on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan, Yuka Ando of Japan won her first marathon in 2:21:19, breaking her personal record for the first time in seven years.
Unfortunately, she was unable to reach the Japanese/Asian record of 2:18:59 just set by Honami Maeda in January to secure the final spot on the nation’s Paris Olympics team. She commented tearfully after the race, “There are many people who have helped me to get this far, and I’m filled with gratitude. I can’t go to Paris, but I’m really happy that I won,” bringing great emotion to the marathon fans who gathered in the streets of Nagoya and watched the race throughout Japan.
After a chilly start with a temperature of five degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 1mph, three leading Japanese athletes, Ando, Ayuko Suzuki, and Rika Kaseda, formed the leading pack with 2022 World Champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia and 2023 Asian Champion Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain. Despite the difficult conditions with headwinds at many points, the group crossed the halfway point in 1:09:56. The Japanese started to fall behind with Suzuki around 25 km, and Ando and Kaseda around 16 km, but Ando and Kaseda continued to chase the lead pack side by side.
Around 36 km, Gebreslase stopped running and dropped out of the race, which left Chumba in first and Ando in second, and the two went neck-to-neck after 39 km. Ando, responding to the passionate cheers from the roadside, sped off at the last 700–800 m and burst into the final stretch in Vantelin Dome Nagoya to capture the dramatic upset victory. Chumba finished second in 2:21:25, and Suzuki finished third in 2:21:33 with a new personal best.
In the post-race interview, Ando, winning the first marathon in her career, said with a smile, “It was really hard when I fell behind the lead pack, but I was able to catch up by running, only focusing on going forward. Thanks to all the cheering along the course, I was able to do my best. I want to make today a new start and do my best again with a fresh mindset.”
Alongside the spectacular elite race, many women joined the world’s largest women’s marathon from home and abroad, making the total number of participants 15,421. All finishers received the symbol of the event, the exclusively designed pendant from a global premium jeweler, Tiffany & Co., as a memento of their accomplishment. The Marathon Expo, held in conjunction with the race, also attracted 101,416 visitors over the three days and took part in the festival of women’s running that Nagoya proudly stages to the rest of the world.
The Race Organizer comments: “Thanks to the runners, volunteers, and everyone involved, we were able to hold the race once again this year without any major accidents. We are truly grateful for all the runners for their participation and the volunteers and all the others for their support.”
Race news Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Gotytom Gebreslase hopes to break Nahoya course record
Fast paced race expected as Japanese elite runners try for Olympic qualification
In advance of the highly anticipated race scheduled for this Sunday, March 10, 2024, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon held a pre-race press conference for the invited elite athletes today in Nagoya, Japan.
Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH), 2022 Oregon World Champion and 2023 Budapest World Championships silver medalist said, “My goal for Sunday is to run under two hours 18 minutes, and if the weather and pacemakers are good, I will try to break the course record of 2:17:18.” Her competitor Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain, 2023 Asian Games Champion said, “My preparation has been going well, and my focus will be to improve my personal best of 2:20:02.”
For Japanese athletes, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2024 will be the last chance to win a place in the Paris Olympics team by beating the new national record of 2:18:59 just set by Honami Maeda this January. The 2020 Tokyo Olympians Ayuko Suzuki will aim to break the target of 2:18:59 so she can compete in the Olympics again to show what she really can do, adding that she was ready to turn the support of the local spectators of her hometown Aichi into strength. Sharing the same goal with Ayuko, Rika Kaseda commented that she had prepared for a high-speed race and would challenge herself to keep up with the pace of other fast athletes to grab the last ticket for Paris 2024.
In addition to these top elite athletes, many recreational runners will join the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2024 from home and abroad, making it an exciting race with 18,000 participants. All finishers will be presented with an event’s exclusively designed Tiffany & Co. pendant and a New Balance T-shirt as the finisher prize.
Sunday’s race will be streamed live free of charge to 37 countries and regions (Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States of America) on the race’s official website at https://womens-marathon.nagoya/en/broadcast.php. Stay tuned for the race to start at 9:10 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, Japan time.
Race news Košice Peace Marathon
Peter Polák’s incredible 400,000km milestone accomplished
Since 1971 Košice runner has covered the distance to the moon
On Saturday, March 2, 2024, an unusual event took place in Košice. Peter Polák reached the goal of 400,000 kilometers run at the age of 75.
He succeeded in the period from the summer of 1971, when he started writing his training diaries. In addition to tireless training sessions, Peter Polák also achieved several remarkable sporting achievements. He has a total of 22 marathon victories, with his best time, set in 1986, being 2:21:26. Later, he also started to engage in ultra running and here he excelled, among others, by winning the 100 km race in Chavagnes, France (1991). In addition, he became the European champion at the same distance in Santander (ESP) as a member of team Czechoslovakia.
As a native of Košice, during that long period he almost never missed the start of the Košice Peace Marathon. In total, he has completed it 47 times so far, and if nothing happens, he wants to add another start on October 6, 2024.
Let’s go back for a moment to March 2, 2024. On this day, a special run was organized where Peter Polák reached the already mentioned 400,000 kilometers. To give you a better idea, this is a distance that is ten times the circumference of the earth and also the distance that separates our earth from the moon. That is why several friends jokingly ask him when and how he will return from this journey through space.
Peter Polák is still active as a coach and prepares several younger local runners. And he is literally tireless even in civilian life. Despite his advanced age, he still works as a locksmith in the workshops of the Technical University in Košice.
Readers and fans of endurance running are already looking forward to his autobiography, which will be published at the end of March under the title “Run, Boy, Run”.
Race news Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Steinruck will run in Hamburg
And world cross country champion Irine Cheptai to make marathon debut
Irine Cheptai, Kenya’s World Cross Country Champion from 2017, will run her debut marathon in Hamburg on 28th April.
This was announced by the organisers of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, who released some of the top women’s contenders and presented Germany’s Katharina Steinruck during a press conference.
While Steinruck will chase a special family record on the fast Hamburg course it is Winfridah Moseti who heads the current women’s start list. The Kenyan has a personal best of 2:20:55. 14,000 runners are expected to compete in Germany’s biggest spring marathon on 28th April. Online registration for the race is still possible at: www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.de
Irine Cheptai has been very successful on the track as well before she focussed more on road running. In 2021 she was sixth in the Olympic 10,000 m final in Tokyo and a year later the Kenyan won the 10,000 m silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Then she showed very promising half marathon races, culminating in a 64:53 PB in Valencia where she was second. With this time Cheptai was the fourth fastest half marathoner in the world in 2023.
Hamburg has seen great debut marathons in the past. In 2013 it was Eliud Kipchoge who won with a course record of 2:05:30. Two years ago Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw ran an unofficial world debut record of 2:17:23 which still stands as Hamburg’s course record. There are two more debutants on the women’s start list who could do very well on 28th April: Kenya’s Nelly Jepchumba has a half marathon PB of 67:00 while Roselida Jepketer of Bahrain has run 68:40 for the half.
Winfridah Moseti ran a huge personal best of 2:20:55 when she was runner-up in last year’s Frankfurt Marathon. While the Kenyan will want to build on this performance Frankfurt’s third place finisher will be among her rivals in Hamburg: Sharon Chelimo improved to 2:22:07 last October. Ethiopia’s Kidusan Alema and Canada’s record holder Natasha Wodak, who have personal records of 2:22:28 and 2:23:12 respectively, will also run their spring marathon in Hamburg.
Katharina Steinruck will be very much in the national focus when she hopes to break her mother’s family record. It was exactly 25 years ago when Katrin Dörre-Heinig, the bronze medallist of the 1988 Olympic marathon in Seoul, won the Hamburg Marathon with 2:24:35. For many years this was the German marathon record. “It is my aim to break my Mum’s record and it would be great if I could do it in Hamburg,“ said 34 year-old Katharina Steinruck, who is coached by her mother and improved to 2:24:56 in Osaka at the end of January. “Katha“ Steinruck returns to the race for the first time since 10 years and has good memories. In 2013 and in 2014 she clocked personal bests of 2:34:20 and 2:33:56 in Hamburg as a young athlete. Ten years later running around ten minutes faster will be the goal. And there could not be a more fitting race than the Haspa Marathon Hamburg to break the family record.
Race news Tui Palma Marathon Mallorca
TUI becomes title sponsor of Palma Marathon
Travel specialist will offer exclusive packages to the race
The Palma Marathon Mallorca and TUI, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses, are joining forces again in 2024. TUI takes on the role of the “title sponsor”, providing a boost for the event’s continued growth on all fronts and positioning it as one of the major benchmarks in the European running world.
Kumulus, the organizing company of the prestigious Palma Marathon Mallorca, is pleased to announce that TUI, a global leader in the tourism industry, is joining as the main sponsor of the event starting in 2024. This exciting development will further strengthen the position of the race as one of the most prominent events on the European running calendar.
TUI was the driving force of the first eleven editions of the event, previously known as the TUI Marathon, and is now returning as the title sponsor and exclusive distribution partner for the 20th anniversary race in 2024, as well as the 2025 and 2026 editions, which are organised by Kumulus.
“We are delighted to welcome TUI as our new title sponsor,” said David Thompson, Kumulus CEO. "Over the past few years, the event has grown in terms of the diversity of countries represented, reaching 76 nationalities in the last edition. The addition of TUI, a globally recognised brand committed to quality and excellence, will allow us to increase this international and multicultural participation that we seek as an organization. Kumulus reaffirms its commitment to excellence and the highest quality standards in the organization of sports events.”
Travel packages encompassing flights, hotel, race registration and exclusive experiences will soon be bookable throughout Europe exclusively via TUI.
“Nothing is as emotional as travelling – except sport, of course. This sponsorship initiative will support TUI’s growth through the strong combination of sports and travel, and the additional visibility of an internationally successful sports event. Together with our destination partners, we want to create sports and leisure experiences that encourage people to travel, appeal to new and existing customers, and that can be booked as packages via all our sales channels.” added Sebastian Ebel, TUI Group CEO.
In the past edition, the Palma Marathon Mallorca surpassed 7,000 registered participants across the three distances (9, 21, and 42 kilometers) with an outstanding 43% female participation, an unprecedented figure in Spain. Additionally, it once again stood out as the most international event in the European running scene, with over 80% of participants coming from abroad, representing 76 nationalities, including a significant 36% from Germany and 20% from the UK.
The TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca will continue to be a recreational and sporting event, showcasing the island and city of Palma to participants and their companions. The event will feature free cultural activities throughout the weekend, including a Ball de Bot exhibition, concerts at the Expo in Parc de la Mar, Pasta Party, Friday’s Breakfast Run, and the final event celebration.
The TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca is organised by Kumulus with the support of the City Council of Palma, and the backing of the Balearic Islands Tourist Strategy Agency and the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan of the Government of Spain, as well as the Mallorca Tourism Foundation and the Consell de Mallorca. The TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca also enjoys the collaboration and sponsorship of Zafiro Hotels, 361o, Fornes Logistics, Ports de Balears, among others.
The TUI Palma Mallorca Marathon takes place on October 20th, 2024. The 42km course follows the coastal path near Palma de Mallorca and enters the city centre, with participants passing key architectural landmarks, including the Cathedral, La Llotja and Es Baluard. If a marathon is a step too far, runners can also opt to enter the half marathon or a 9km course. For more information and to register: https://www.palmamarathonmallorca.com/
Race news EDP Lisbon Half Marathon
Lisbon offers 150K EUR bounty for new records
Bonus for new world records in the half marathon
Scheduled for March 17, the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon remains one of the world’s leading and fastest long-distance races and this year it will once again reward fast times with an attractive cash prize.
Therefore, as an incentive for the elite, the race organisers Maratona Clube de Portugal today announced a bonus of 150,000 Euro (162,500 USD) for new world records in this year’s race.
Lisbon already holds the best men’s mark – 57:31 (Jacob Kiplimo, in 2021) – and now, as well as wanting to improve on that stratospheric record, it also wants to add the women’s record, which is currently held by Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, with 1:02:52 in Valencia, the same year.
In addition to Kiplimo’s time, Lisbon has been the scene of other world and European records in the past, such as Zersenay Tadese’s world record in 2010 or Mo Farah’s continental record in 2015.
Carlos Moia, president of the Maratona Clube de Portugal (MCP) says: “This bonus of 150,000 EUR for a possible world record, both female and male, reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting talent and inspiring athletes to reach new heights of success and overcoming. We will continue our tradition of recognizing and rewarding excellence. Lisbon, with all its light and good energy, provides the perfect setting for moments of great achievement.”
Sunday’s races will be broadcast directly on RTP1 and RTP Internacional to more than 200 million potential viewers around the world.
Race news Napoli City Half Marathon
Napoli City Half Marathon is fastest half in Italy
Yaremchuk takes Italian national record
Naples begins its journey towards being the European Capital of Sport in 2026 with an equalling of the Italian half marathon record by Sofiia Yaremchuk (CS Army) who with 1h08’27" finished second in the Napoli City Half Marathon.
The event now has the Italian male and female records, confirming itself as the fastest half marathon in Italy. The atmosphere was one of irrepressible enthusiasm under the sky of Naples. Almost six thousand runners from over 70 countries started from Viale JF Kennedy to run 21.097 km on a course full of emotions, beauty, and history with the blue of the Bay of Naples on one side and Vesuvius in the background on the other, it was a postcard of an exceptional weekend.
The leading group, made up of the Kenyans Brian Kwemoi Kirui, Bernard Kipkurui Biwott, Moses Koech and Charles Kamau Wanjiku, Antony Kimtai and the Britain Emile Cairess, paced very well by Rop Gideon Kiprotich, immediately set the right tempo, going through 2km in 5’45" (2’53"/km) and 3km in 8’22" (2’47"/km). The time at 5km was 13’59", with an average pace of 2’48"/km, on target to set a course record.
The pacemakers took the lead pack to 10km in 27’57" (2’47"/km) keeping the leaders on track. In the chasing group, a few seconds behind was the first of the Italians, Yassine Rachik who went through 10km in 30’05". Rop (Pace), Kimtai, Biwott and Cairess broke away and made up the leading group that went through 13km in 37’01", as the pace slowed slightly. At 15km the leading group went through in 42’05", with Cairess then dropping slightly off the pace. At one point Kimtai had 50m on Brian Kirui, but then with about 3 km to go, Kirui launched his attack, surging past Anthony Kimtai and suddenly creating a gap. The gap remained until the finish, where he crossed the line in 59’26" (2’49"/km), shaving 11" off his personal best, and equalling the course record. He was swiftly followed by his compatriots Anthony Kimtai in 59’45", who took 45" off his PB, and Bernard Kipkurui Biwott in 59’47".
First European, British athlete Emile Cairess said: "Today was a good step forward for me and I’m pleased with how I committed to the race. It’s frustrating not to have quite gone under the 1hour barrier, which was a big focus for me, but it proves I’m in good shape at this stage in my training. We hit 10km in 27:58 and 15km in 42:05, but the last 5km I got detached and was on my own, but I’m happy with how I continued to stay engaged in the race, and close the last section well. The Olympics are a major target this year, and my training is therefore focussed on the marathon, so this is a good indicator towards that’’.
In the leading group of women, the two Kenyans Angela Jemesunde Tanui and Nancy Chepleting Meli started out the race together, passing 6km in 18’44" (3’07"/km). Just before the halfway point, Tanui launched her attack and passed10km in 31’28" (3’09"/km) by which time she had a 26 second lead on Chepleting who went through in 31’54". A little further back was the first of the Italians Sofiia Yaremchuk who went through 10km in 32’16" (3’14"/km) slightly ahead of her personal best and on course for the Italian women’s record. Angela Tanui was in the end, on her own as the lead woman, relying only on the pacemaker for company, and she crossed the finish line in 1h07’04" (3’11"/km) shaving 12’’ off her personal best. “The race was easy at the beginning but then there was a bit of wind that slowed me down. However, I am satisfied, this is my new personal best,” commented the winner. Second place on the podium for the Italian Sofiia Yaremchuk (CS Army) who closes in 1h08’27" (3’15"/km) equalling the Italian women’s record. “It’s a wonderful emotion, Naples is always in my heart and brings me luck. The people are wonderful, the cheering of the crowd took me to the finish line with the Italian record,” said Sofiia Yaremchuk. “The race went very well, the preparation we did in Kenya paid off, it is a performance that gives us hope for the future, when we fly to Paris for the marathon’’. ’’Today Sofiia has acquired a new confidence”, commented Fabio Martelli, Sofiia Yaremchuk’s coach.
Third place went to Nancy Chepleting Meli who faded in the end and finished in 1h10’03".
Carlo Capalbo, president of the organizing company Napoli Running, was very excited, with tears in his eyes: “I am the happiest man in the world, six thousand people here at our beautiful race. Today we had the full package, we equalled the men’s race record, equalled the new Italian women’s record. Naples as the first city that holds them both. There were as well, many important personal bests, such as that of the winners, both male and female, and the final times of the winners were of the highest standard. These emotions are the result of a lot of work. If I go back to six years ago, when running stopped in Rome… Commitment, perseverance, collaboration, resources and a pinch of luck, today I can’t wait anymore. I want to thank all the institutions, the volunteers, my collaborators, the runners, the public for the trust they have placed in participating in this event, today all together we have written a new chapter in the history of this wonderful world of road running,” he concluded.
The great party of Napoli City Half Marathon is the result of the work, as well as of the organizing committee, of over 1000 volunteers who with a great participation spirit collaborate for this success. On the route there was also the energy and enthusiasm of the Afro-Brazilian percussion group PegaOnda while to guarantee safety there was the work of local institutions, Police Headquarters of Naples, Municipal Police, Italian Army, Fire Brigade, Technical Offices.
Result
Half marathon
Men
| 1 | Brian | KIRUI | KEN | 59:26 |
| 2 | Anthony | KIMTAI | KEN | 59:45 |
| 3 | Bernard Kipkurui | BIWOTT | KEN | 59:47 |
Women
| 1 | Jemesunde | TANUI | KEN | 1:07:04 |
| 2 | Sofiia | YAREMCHUK | ITA | 1:08:27 |
| 3 | Nancy Chepleting | MELI | KEN | 1:10:08 |
Race news The Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon
Peres Jepchirchir returns to RAK
Could “Koko” Klosterhalfen be the wild card to challenge Olympic champion?
New regime, new course, but with Olympic and world champions and the usual array of speedsters, Saturday’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is virtually assured of the sort of fast times that have been a feature of the event throughout its 17 year history, including three women’s world records.
Pride of place both on the start list and at this morning’s press conference in one of the smaller emirates in the UAE were Olympic marathon and three time world half-marathon champion, Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, and keeping the balance in the long-term East African distance running rivalry, world marathon champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia heads the men’s entry. The wild card, hoping to gatecrash the party is Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany, who surprised the East Africans when she beat a dozen of them to win her debut half-marathon in Valencia in 2022.
Jepchirchir may neither be the fastest marathoner or half-marathoner among current women long distance runners, but she knows how to win races, an asset far more valuable than fast times. In the seven months between late August 2021 and mid-April 2022, she won the Olympic, New York and Boston Marathons, a rare collective achievement. In her comeback marathon following an injury, she finished third in last year’s London Marathon. And she has won 12 of her 16 half-marathons. She is loath to admit her plans yet, but this RAK ‘half’ is perfectly scheduled as a springboard, to going back to London in April, to upgrade that third place.
Tola was similarly annoyed that an injury preventing him successfully defending his 2022 world marathon title in Budapest last summer, but a speedy recovery saw him break the long-standing New York Marathon record with 2.04.58 three months later. He is one of the few elites to be making his debut in the RAK ‘half’ and the scale of his task may be judged by the fact that on paper there are 15 men faster than his best of 59.37 set seven years ago in Prague. But he suggested that is due for drastic revision. ‘I’d like to think I can do under 59 minutes if the race turns out to be fast,’ he said at the press conference. Fastest man in the field is Daniel Mateiko of Kenya with 58.26, but his colleague Benard Kibet has the advantage of having won last year in 58.45.
Klosterhalfen, ‘Koko’ to her pals may prove to be not only the wild card, but the joker in the pack in the women’s race. A world bronze medallist on the track and European 5000 metres champion, the German called a halt to her summer season last year when a foot injury caused her to reassess her career. She had changed her shoe sponsor, left her coach and long-term training venue in the USA already. She then switched again and has teamed up with Gary Lough, latter-day coach to Mo Farah and spouse of former world record holder Paula Radcliffe (here in RAK as a TV commentator). Klosterhalfen has also switched her altitude training venue to Addis Ababa, where she has just spent six weeks, coming directly to here. ‘Road running is still a bit of an adventure for me’, she said this morning. ‘I still want to run on the track, but I want to do more road races’.
The roll-call of winners since the race began in 2007 is a ‘Who’s Who’ of distance running over the last two decades; beginning with Sammy Wanjiru and Berhane Adere in the inaugural race, via luminaries such as Patrick Makau, Geoffrey Mutai, Elvan Abeylegesse, Mary Keitany, Geoffrey Kamworor, Lelisa Desisa, Samson Kandie and Hellen Obiri. Add to that Jepchirchir herself who won in 2017 in a then world record of 65min 06sec.
The promoters of the successful marathon down the road in Dubai have been invited this year to give the RAK ‘half’ a makeover, and they began by introducing a 10k race for locals and altering the half-marathon course. ‘It’s faster and better than any route before here in Ras Al Khaimah; we’ve cut out some of the sharp turns,’ said race director Peter Connerton, ‘so we’re hoping for at least similar times and hopefully better. But with a couple of good races into the bargain’.
Race news Zurich Maratón de Sevilla
Eight national records set at Seville Marathon
World leading 2:03:27 and sixth fastest marathon of all time
The Zurich Maraton de Sevilla has once again demonstrated its potential in another edition for the history books. The main protagonist was the Ethiopian Azmera Gebru, who won the race, setting the new race record (2h03:27), world leading result of the year, and making the Seville event the sixth fastest marathon race of all time.
The second classified, French athlete Morhad Amdouni (2h03:47) achieved the record of his country, getting closer to the European record (2h03:36).
12 runners have run under 2h08 and 24 women under 2h28, achieving up to eight national records, and the male world leading.
Ibrahim Chakir (2h07:48) and Esther Navarrete (2h24:40) are crowned Spanish champions and get the classification for the Olympic Games in Paris.
The podium of the men’s race, with up to 12 athletes under 2h08 in a new demonstration of the qualities of the flattest course in Europe, which invites athletes to fly over the Sevillian asphalt, was completed with the Israeli Gashau Ayale, who achieved the third place in 2h04:53 and, in the process, a new national record.
In addition to France and Israel, Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, 4th with 2h06:06; Sweden’s Suldan Hassan, 10th with 2h07:36; Chile’s Carlos Martín, 18th with 2h08:04; and Macedonia’s Dario Ivanovski, 20th with 2h08:26, also achieved their respective national records.
Among the Spaniards, with the Spanish Championships at stake and the Olympic ticket for the winner, Ibrahim Shakir finished in a brilliant eleventh position and won the title. Going from strength to strength, the Soria-based athlete overtook his rivals for the national crown to cross the finish line with 2h07:48, the minimum time for the Games, where he guarantees his presence next summer.
Runner-up with 2h08:03 was Mohamed El Talhaoui, while the national record holder Ayad Lamdassem, who until the halfway point of the race was ambitious and set times that aspired to beat the national record (2h05:48), lowered the pace in the second part of the race to get the third place among the Spaniards with 2h09:43.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Azmera Gebru was the winner clocking in 2h22:13. The African hegemony was maintained, completing the podium with the Kenyans Josephine Chepkoech (2h22:38) and Magdalyne Masai (2h22:51).
In the top ten of the women’s category, where up to 24 runners finished under 2 hours and 28 minutes, new national records for the French athlete Meline Rollin (7th, 2h24:12) and the Argentinean Florencia Borelli (8th, 2h24:18), which, by the way, means a new area record in South America.
As for the Spanish women, Esther Navarrete was more than brilliantly proclaimed Spanish champion in her debut over the distance. And she did so by obtaining the qualifying standard for the Olympic Games and a direct passport to Paris 2024 with a time of 2h24:40, three minutes faster the time required by the RFEA (2h28:00). In the final part of the race, she broke the head-to-head battle with the other great favourite to obtain the Olympic passport, Meritxell Soler, national runner-up with 2h24:57. Meanwhile, Clara Simal from Madrid (2h31:21) completed the podium of a women’s Spanish Championships to which the Andalusian Fátima Ouhaddou and María José Pérez from La Mancha also aspired, although they had to abandon for various reasons after the 21st kilometre.
The prelude to the start of the 39th Zurich Maraton de Sevilla was doubly emotional, with two tributes. First of all, the race wanted to pay tribute with 42 symbolic seconds of silence to the world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died just seven days before together with his coach in a traffic accident in Kenya.
Afterwards, Abel Antón was paid tribute to the 25th anniversary of the gold medal won by the athlete from Soria at the World Championships in Seville in 1999. In commemoration of that title, the medal of the current edition of the Zurich Maraton de Sevilla with which the finishers of the race have been recognised contains the iconic image of Abel Antón crossing the finish line in Seville, whose streets the best Spanish marathon runner of all times has run again this Sunday.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Deresa Geleta | SULFATA | ETH | 2:03:27 |
| 2 | Morhad | AMDOUINI | FRA | 2:03:47 |
| 3 | Gashau | AYALE | ISR | 2:04:53 |
Women
| 1 | Azmera | GEBRU | ETH | 2:22:14 |
| 2 | Josephine | CHEPKOECH | KEN | 2:22:40 |
| 3 | Magdalyne | MASAI | KEN | 2:22:51 |
Race news SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne
SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne returns in 2024 with a new custom shirt
Coop Runners to participate again – High satisfaction rate for 2023
SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne has presented its 2024 custom shirt.
The Salomon Runner Shirt 2024 comes in “surf blue”. The specially created SwissCityMarathon design is discreet and stylish. The shirt is perfect for runs of all kinds – breathable, ultra-light and quick-drying. The SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne has created and produced this in co-operation with the Official Partner Salomon.
For participants in the marathon (42KM) and half marathon (21KM), the Runner Shirt is included in the registration fee. Participants in the CityRun 10KM and CharityRun 10KM can purchase the Runner Shirt 2024 optionally for CHF 25.00 when registering.
Preparations for the SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne are in full swing and the Coop Runners are taking part again this year. Consisting of Coop employees from various departments, Coop is not only participating as a presenting partner, but is also at the front of the race!
Finally, the results of the runner survey 2023 are in:
- Recommendation rate of 96%
- Renewed Participation in the marathon 93%
- Atmosphere on the course score 5.7
- Best Memories: Spectators, finish area and musical entertainment
- Overall impression score 5.6
Race news The Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon
Konstanze Klosterhalfen goes for RAK Half
Challenge for German runner as she goes up against record breaker Jepchirchir
Konstanze Klosterhalfen is one of the few Europeans who have successfully challenged East African superiority in long distance running in recent years; but the German star will have a mass challenge from Kenyans and Ethiopians in her next venture, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Saturday February 24.
The reigning European 5000 metres champion, ‘Koko’ to her fans, won bronze in the World Championships at that same distance in 2019, but her debut victory over a posse of leading East Africans in the Valencia Half Marathon in October 2022 signalled not only a step-up in prestige but also potential for success in the full marathon. And RAK in nine days’ time will be another stepping stone.
The RAK ‘half’ has been one of the fastest 21.1k races in the world since its inception 17 years ago in one of the smaller emirates in the UAE. The list of winners and record breakers reads like a ‘who’s who’ of distance running. Leading this year’s women’s field and a formidable opponent for Klosterhalfen is reigning Olympic marathon champion and three-time world ‘half’ winner, Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, who set a then world record of 65:06 when she ran RAK in 2017. Burgeoning competition and the advent of super-shoes has resulted in that record now standing at 62.52, to Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia.
Klosterhalfen’s debut win in Valencia came in 65:41; and with another former world record holder – Ababel Yeshaneh of Ethiopia (64:31) in the RAK field, the German will not have an easy task, the more so since she took a break in the second half of last summer season, and has not raced for six months. She was understandably cautious this week when she said, ‘Overall I am happy with how my training has been going and I’m ready to test myself and see exactly where I am after a good training camp. I’m certainly looking forward to returning to racing, especially at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon as it is a race I’ve heard a lot about.’
Klosterhalfen spends a lot of time training at altitude in the USA, and in her quieter moments has graced the catwalk at Berlin Fashion Week, and also plays piano and flute; but running full tilt for just over an hour before breakfast will be the order of the morning a week on Saturday.
Race news Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Nagoya Women’s Marathon announces elite field
Gotytom Gebreslase will run in world’s largest women’s marathon
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon announced today the world’s top women athletes who will compete in the 13th edition of the race to be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
The leading names in the field are Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia, world champion in Oregon in 2022 with a personal best of 2:18:11 and Silver Medallist in Budapest in 2023, and Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain, Asian Games Champion of 2023 in Hangzhou, who has a personal best of 2:20:02.
The competitor list also includes many outstanding international athletes such as Delvine Relin Meringor of Romania, Violah Cheptoo of Kenya, Giovanna Epis of Italy, Eloise Wellings of Australia, Camille French of New Zealand, and others representing China and Puerto Rico.
The local athletes who will face them from Japan are Ai Hosoda, the third-place finisher in the Marathon Grand Championship, Japan’s domestic qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, who set a personal best of 2:21:42 in the 2022 London Marathon, the 2020 Tokyo Olympians Ayuko Suzuki in the marathon and Yuka Ando in the 10,000m, and 2023 Budapest World Championship competitor Rika Kaseda, all of whom have personal best records under 2:22 and will be vying for the final spot in Japan’s marathon team for the Paris Olympics.
Anyone who beats the Japanese record of 2:18:59 – just set this January for the first time in 19 years – will qualify for Paris.
The pacemakers driving the high-speed race include Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya, who has a personal best of 2:17:29.
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon is not only one of the world’s fastest elite competitions as a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, but it is also known as the world’s largest women’s marathon and a unique festival to celebrate women runners. All finishers will receive an event-exclusive Tiffany & Co. pendant as a token of their achievement. The 2024 race will take place in Nagoya, Japan, on March 10 with 20,000 runners, while a virtual race is currently held from February 10 through March 31, which can be participated in anywhere in the world via a running app.
Lives remembered
Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in road accident at 24
Kenyan runner was expected to achieve even greater feats
The world record holder in the men’s marathon, Kelvin Kiptum, and his coach have died in a road accident in Kenya.
The accident took place on Sunday night in the west of Kenya about 300km north of the capital Nairobi. Kiptum, who was driving, and his coach Garvais Hakizimana were killed instantly. Another passenger identified as Sharon Kosgey survived the crash and was taken to hospital.
Kiptum ran his first marathon in December 2022 in Valencia in 2:01:53. He then won the London Marathon less than a year ago in 2:01:25, the third fastest time ever run for the distance, before setting his world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago six months later, beating Eliud Kipchoge’s existing world record by 24 seconds. He was currently training for the Rotterdam Marathon in April where it was widely believed that he could become the first man to run a sub-two hour marathon in open competition.
AIMS President Paco Borao said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Kelvin Kiptum. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time of tragedy. He was a young man who had already achieved so much but was clearly capable of more in what should have been a long and successful career.”
Race news hella hamburg half marathon
hella hamburg halbmarathon has new charity partner
Partnership with inclusive street magazine
This summer the hella hamburg half marathon is celebrating a big anniversary. On Sunday, June 30, 2024, thousands of runners and skaters will set out on the 21.0975 kilometres through the city on the river Elbe for the 30th time.
As if that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, Hinz&Kunzt The Hamburg Street Magazine will now be the official charity partner of the event. When registering, participants have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to the social project.
The monthly Hinz&Kunzt is Germany’s highest-circulation street magazine and does lobbying work for the homeless and socially disadvantaged people. The magazine is created by professionals and distributed by people in precarious life situations. People with few opportunities on the job market are offered unbureaucratic employment, which also promotes contact between the homeless and others. In this way, fears of contact between rich and poor are reduced.
The continued existence of the non-profit self-help project depends on the support of third parties. The majority of the funds required come from donations. Only a third comes from advertising and sales revenue. The magazine, which also celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, is pleased about the collaboration. “Every donation is a sign of solidarity and sets an example against poverty and exclusion,” said Sybille Arendt, press spokeswoman for Hinz&Kunzt.
The organizer BMS The Running Society is also proud to have a charitable institution on its side. “We were looking for a suitable partner with whom we have a long tradition and proximity to the street. Hinz&Kunzt not only makes an important contribution to the integration of socially disadvantaged people, but through its sales model it also promotes the reduction of prejudices against the approximately 2,000 homeless people living in Hamburg. We are hoping for a large donation cheque, which we can present to the social employment project on behalf of the participants on the 30th anniversary,” said Steven Richter, managing director of the race organisation.
At this point in time, more than 6,600 active participants have registered. More will be added by June 30, 2024. On the day of the event, over 12,000 athletes from all over the world are expected. The hella hamburg half marathon would thus underline its position as the second largest event of its kind in Germany behind the Berlin Half Marathon.
Race news Thai Sikh Run
Thai Sikh Run: embracing tradition, building community
Bangkok race run for 28th time
In 1992, the Thai Sikh Run took its inaugural steps, courtesy of Siri Guru Singh Sabha, marking the beginning of a cherished tradition. Initially offering a 10k route alongside a 5k walk, the event quickly garnered attention, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds to the starting line.
Rooted in the heart of Bangkok’s inner city, the run meanders past iconic landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Defense Ministry, and Democracy Monument, offering runners a scenic journey through the city’s historical tapestry.
Elevating its stature, the event has been graced by esteemed figures including the Bangkok Governor, Senators, Ambassadors, and high-ranking officials, underscoring its significance within the community.
A milestone moment arrived on the 20th anniversary when the Thai Sikh Run embraced the challenge of a half marathon distance (21.1k), attracting a surge of enthusiastic participants eager to test their mettle. Recognition from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in 2020 further validated the event’s credentials, certifying both the 21.1k and 10k distances.
In a bid to foster inclusivity and inspire the next generation, the 26th edition introduced the inaugural Thai Sikh Kid Run, a 500-meter sprint designed to ignite the spirit of young runners. Additionally, the 27th Thai Sikh Run marked a moment of branding evolution, with the introduction of a standardized run logo, setting the stage for future events.
Not content to rest on its laurels, the Thai Sikh community has recently expanded its horizons, with Sikh runners making their mark in the esteemed ranks of the Ironman competition.
The 28th Thai Sikh Run, held on February 4th, 2024, showcased outstanding performances from participants across categories. Notable highlights included a stellar 1:10:22 finish for the first overall male in the 21.1k race and a commendable 1:27:15 finish for the first overall female. In the 10k category, participants demonstrated their prowess, with the top male crossing the line in 0:37:51 and the top female in 0:38:59.
As the Thai Sikh Run continues to evolve, it remains a testament to the enduring spirit of community, tradition, and athletic excellence, with each edition serving as a beacon of inspiration for runners of all ages and backgrounds.
Date changes Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Race date for Bank of America Chicago Marathon (USA) changed
Bank of America Chicago Marathon date change
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon (USA) will take place on Sun 13 October 2024, not Mon 14 October 2024 as previously published.
Race news Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Defending champion Koech returns to Hamburg
But Tola and Mailu could challenge last year’s winner
Defending champion and course record holder Bernard Koech will return for the 38th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on 28th April.
The 36 year-old Kenyan, who improved the course best to 2:04:09 last year, will face very strong opponents in Germany’s major spring marathon. Samwel Mailu of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Abdisa Tola, who both produced breakthrough performances in 2023, will challenge the defending champion. There will be another former winner of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg returning to the race: Martin Musau (UGA) was the winner in 2021.
“After two course records in a row we can look forward to another high quality men’s race. Bernard Koech, Samwel Mailu and Abdisa Tola are all capable of running world-class times on the fast course. We are happy that these three have chosen Hamburg for their spring marathon,” said chief organiser Frank Thaleiser, who expects a total of around 12,000 marathon runners on 28th April. Online registration for the race is still possible at: www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.de
“I am looking forward to returning to Hamburg. Last year’s victory was a perfect comeback performance for me, because I had problems for some time and there were the Corona lockdowns as well,” said Bernard Koech, who tied his two year-old personal best of 2:04:09 last year in Hamburg. However, after achieving his biggest career victory in that race the Kenyan was unlucky when he ran the Amsterdam Marathon in autumn. An injury forced him to drop out of the race. Looking ahead to his Hamburg return Bernard Koech said: “Although I broke the course record last year I believe that I can still run faster in Hamburg.”
A fast pace should suit Samwel Mailu, who wants to improve his personal best. The Kenyan newcomer, who is already 31 years old, stormed to a sensational course record of 2:05:08 despite warm weather conditions at the Vienna Marathon last spring. Later that year he produced another exceptional performance. Added to the Kenyan team at very short notice Samwel Mailu took the bronze medal at the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, Latvia. “I chose Hamburg for my spring marathon because of the fast course. Hopefully I can improve my current 2:05 personal best to 2:04,” said Samwel Mailu.
23 year-old Ethiopian Abdisa Tola will be another top contender on 28th April. The younger brother of Tamirat Tola, the World Marathon Champion from 2021 and current New York Marathon winner, ran a stunning marathon debut a year ago: Abdisa Tola won the competitive Dubai Marathon in 2:05:42.
Besides Bernard Koech there will be another runner in the elite field who has already won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg: Martin Musau of Uganda took the race with 2:10:15 in 2021, when the fields were much reduced due to the pandemic. It was last year in Hamburg, when Musau improved to a fine 2:08:45 and finished in seventh position.
Race news The Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon
Tola heads more stellar names for RAK Half
Tura and Yeshaneh will run too
Former world marathon champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia has confirmed his participation in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on February 24; and heads back to the area where he emerged as a world class road runner when winning the neighbouring Dubai Marathon in 2017.
Chicago Marathon winner Seifu Tura and former women’s half marathon world record holder, Ababel Yeshaneh will also be joining their compatriot in RAK. The entry for the 17th edition of the event is expected to read like a Who’s Who of international distance running, as a wealth of elite runners seek to take advantage of the benign Gulf conditions in the countdown for the spring marathons and the Paris Olympics.
Having won Olympic bronze on the track at Rio 2016, Tola established himself as one of the leading road runners of his generation when he won Dubai 2017, and followed that up with silver at the World Championships in London later that year. He won world marathon gold in Eugene 2022, but in the interim he won Amsterdam Marathon 2021, and then topped that with victory in the New York City Marathon three months ago. He has also finished third in the Tokyo and London Marathons in 2022. His fastest half marathon was a winning performance in 59:37 in Prague 2017. His close family also keeps him on his toes; his wife Dera Dida won the Dubai Marathon 2023, and his younger brother Abdisa took the corresponding men’s title.
It’s a measure of the fast course in RAK that his compatriot Tura has run over a minute faster than Tola, but his 58:36 in 2022 was only good for fourth. But a victory and second place in the Chicago Marathon has bolstered his credentials.
Ababel Yeshaneh returns to the scene of one of her greatest victories, having set a world record of 64:31 in winning on the spectacular course around Al Marjan Island in the 2020 race. That time remains her personal best at the distance, although in the full marathon she also has two runner-up finishes to her name in Chicago 2019 and Boston 2022, as well as a third place finish at the New York Marathon 2021.
The three Ethiopians will join elite fields that already include men’s defending champion Benard Kibet of Kenya (58:45) and his colleague, reigning Olympic Marathon Champion and three-time World Half Marathon Champion Peres Jepchirchir, who set her best half marathon in winning RAK 2017 in a then world record of 65:06.
Date changes Eilat Desert Marathon
Race date for Eilat Desert Marathon (ISR) changed
Eilat Desert Marathon date change
The Eilat Desert Marathon (ISR) will take place on Fri 29 November 2024, not Fri 2 February 2024 as previously published.
Race news Sarmang Dehradun Marathon
Dehradun moves to last weekend of September
Organisers hope for a new course record
Organisers of the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon say they are “thrilled” to unveil the date for the third edition set to take place on September 29, 2024.
Breaking from tradition and moving the event to September’s final week accommodates a more runner-friendly environment, departing from the usual October timeline due to the Indian National Games taking place in Dehradun.
This shift also provides an amazing opportunity for participants to experience the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Dehradun first hand, amidst pleasant weather and breathtaking landscapes.
In an exciting update, the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon has been recognised as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group Qualifier, opening doors for participants to qualify and compete globally. Organised by Sarmang Society in collaboration with Sarmang Adventure Tours, this esteemed event is directed by the highly respected RRCA certified race director Anil Mohan. The founder of Sarmang Adventure Tours and Secretary of Sarmang Society brings his wealth of experience and passion for running to ensure a world-class marathon experience for all participants.
Anticipating an increased turnout from defense services, we’re honored to welcome more participants from this esteemed sector. Additionally, our fervent hope for the 3rd edition is to witness a groundbreaking moment – a new course record for the Full Marathon (42.195 KM). The current record stands at an impressive 2:30:31, a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our runners.
This event, certified by World Athletics and proud member of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), has consistently attracted diverse international participants, celebrating athleticism, determination, and unity.
Stay tuned for further details and registration information as we prepare for another remarkable edition of the Sarmang Dehradun Marathon. Lace up your shoes and prepare for an unforgettable running experience amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Dehradun!
Date changes 642 Marathon
Race date for 642 Marathon (KUW) changed
642 Marathon date change
The 642 Marathon (KUW) will take place on Sun 3 March 2024, not Sat 20 January 2024 as previously published.
Race news Reggae Marathon - the Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
New 5K race added at Reggae Marathon
Shorter route joins 10K and half marathon
The 2024 Reggae Marathon, Jamaica’s premier long-distance road race, is set to take place on Sunday, December 8th in Negril, Jamaica.
Organizers have unveiled a major highlight for this year’s event – the introduction of a new 5K race, that will run alongside the event’s usual 10K and half marathon.
Race Director Alfred “Frano” Francis shared his enthusiasm for the 5K addition, stating, “We’ve upped the excitement by introducing a 5K event alongside the already fantastic 10K and half marathon races. Now, participants can begin with the 5K and progressively take on the challenges of the 10K and half marathon. This inclusive move has ignited a whirlwind of enthusiasm among both corporate teams and individuals. Get ready to feel the rhythm and embark on this remarkable journey!”
The 5K race enhances the accessibility of the Reggae Marathon, catering to seasoned runners, walkers, and newcomers seeking a distinctive fitness experience in the heart of Jamaica. The 5K route commences at Long Bay Beach Park, heading towards Negril’s aerodrome, concluding at the same, beachside finish line as its counterparts. The predominantly flat course is IAAF certified, ensuring a top-tier race for all participants.
Now in its 24th year, the Reggae Marathon has earned recognition as a well-organized international event with a strong emphasis on participant enjoyment. Overseas participants can seamlessly blend their passion for running or walking with an island vacation, creating an unparalleled and unforgettable experience.
Participants can anticipate commemorative finisher medals, official Reggae Marathon t-shirts, and a total prize pool exceeding USD 10,000. The prestigious Bob Marley and Rita Marley trophies await the male and female champions of the Reggae Half Marathon. Special prize categories include recognition for High School Boys and Girls in the 10K, as well as Teams in the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.
Beyond the thrilling races, the Reggae Marathon immerses participants in the vibrant world of Jamaican music. From Reggae to Calypso and Afrobeats, music is woven into the event’s fabric. Each year, the marathon showcases talented Reggae acts, and while this year’s headliner remains undisclosed, previous editions have seen the likes of Grammy winner Kabaka Pyramid taking the stage.
The Reggae Marathon boasts a trove of glowing testimonials from past participants who have lauded the event’s organization, entertainment, and unique ambiance. Its international acclaim includes being voted “International Race of the Year” by UK Men’s Running magazine and receiving a “Highly Commended” accolade in the Women’s Running International Race of the Year category.
For those unable to attend in person, virtual race options are available, extending participation to runners and walkers worldwide.
This year, the Reggae Marathon also continues its commitment to charitable causes by partnering with the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and actively promoting fundraising for other charitable endeavors. The event offers opportunities for volunteers from diverse Jamaican communities, enabling young individuals to participate in a global event.
Date changes
Date changes for Krakow races
Cracovia Marathon a week earlier, Royal Half two weeks later
The Cracovia Marathon (POL) will take place on Sun 14 April 2024, not Sun 21 April 2024 as previously published.
The Cracovia Royal Half Marathon (POL) will take place on Sun 20 October 2024, not Sun 6 October 2024 as previously published.
Date changes Split Marathon
Race date for Split Marathon (CRO) changed
Split Marathon date change
The Split Marathon (CRO) will take place on Sun 25 February 2024, not Sat 24 February 2024 as previously published.
Race news The Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon
Stars descend on Ras Al Khaimah Half
Jepchirchir and Kibet will run
Olympic women’s marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, and last year’s men’s winner, Benard Kibet are just the first two of what is expected to be a constellation of stars at the Ras Al Khaimah Half-Marathon on Saturday, February 24.
Jepchirchir’s quality is underlined not only by her Olympic win in Tokyo, but also by her three world half-marathon titles, and the considerable feat of being the only woman to simultaneously hold the Olympic, New York and Boston marathon titles, which she achieved in the seven months between August 2021 and April 2022. For good measure, when she won this RAK ‘half’ in 2017, it was in a then world record of 65min 06sec, which remains her best time.
Her compatriot Kibet is one of many Kenyans who, over the years have been recruited to run on one of Japan’s corporate teams. He is similarly unusual in being one of the diminishing number of athletes who combine track with road running. He is a 13min 5000 metre runner and has several 10,000 metre clockings just over 27mins. But his victory last year in RAK in 58.45 put him in the top ten for the year.
Since its inauguration in 2007, the RAK race has proved to be one of the fastest half-marathons on the international circuit. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the smallest of the seven emirates which constitute the United Arab Emirates. And, though the competitors will have other things on their mind, the race is run around the spectacular sea-side circuit on the gorgeous promontory of Marjan Island. Online entry is still possible at: https://rakcalendar.ae
Given that the RAK race is less than six weeks away, that also means a rapid turnaround for event organisers Pace Events, who have been invited by the RAK Tourist Development Authority to take over the event in the wake of their successful stewardship of the Dubai Marathon, whose latest edition, just eight days ago, featured the fastest women’s debut in history, 2.16.07 for Tigist Ketema of Ethiopia.
Race Director and Pace Events CEO Peter Connerton said today, ‘We were honoured and enormously gratified to be invited by the Ras Al Khaimah tourist authorities to organise an event like the RAK half-marathon. We feel it’s a reflection of the success we’ve had with the Dubai Marathon since 2000. We’ve added a 10k to the RAK programme since we’ve seen how successful the shorter event has been in Dubai; either as a challenge in its own right, or as a stepping stone for runners on the way to a half or full marathon. Peres Jepchirchir and Benard Kibet are the first of many leading names we shall be announcing for the RAK ‘half’ in the coming weeks”.
For online entry and more information please visit: https://rakcalendar.ae or contact Alan Ewens – alan.ewens@pace-events.org
Race news 10K Valencia Ibercaja
Agnes Ngetich sets new 10km world record
Top Kenyan runner beats previous 29:14 record by 28s
Agnes Ngetich (KEN) stunned the world again in Valencia by setting a new 10km world record of 28:46.
This is 28 seconds faster than the 29:14 record run by Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) in Castellon last February, and a massive 40 seconds faster than the 29:26 time she herself ran in Lille just two months ago.
Result
10km
Men
| 1 | Jacob | KIPLIMO | UGA | 26:48 |
| 2 | Birhanu | BALEW | XXX | 26:57 |
| 3 | Peter | AILA | XXX | 26:59 |
| 4 | Dennis | KITIYO | XXX | 27:01 |
| 5 | Dominic | LOBALU | XXX | 27:13 |
Women
| 1 | Agnes | NGETICH | KEN | 28:46 |
| 2 | Emmaculate Anyango | ACHOL | XXX | 28:57 |
| 3 | Lilian | RENGERUK | XXX | 29:32 |
| 4 | Janeth | CHEPNGETICH | XXX | 29:55 |
| 5 | Joy | CHEPTOYEK | XXX | 30:03 |
Race news Nepalgunj Marathon
Gopi triumphs at Nepalgunj marathon
200,000 NPR prize for winner
Nepal APF Club’s Gopi Chandra Parki won the Nepalgunj Marathon and Santoshi Shrestha completed her hat-trick in women’s half marathon on November 25.
Gopi – who won the 13th South Asian Games gold medal in the 5,000m race – completed the 42.195km distance in two hours, 21 minutes and 39 seconds for his second title in Nepalgunj. Defending champion Khadag Bahadur Khadka of Tribhuvan Army Club came second in 2:22:09, while the 13th SAG’s marathon gold medallist Kiran Bogati finished third in 2:25:44.
Gopi won the sixth edition title in his first appearance in 2019 with his personal best timing of 2:18:59. Gopi said the Nepalgunj Marathon was the best of the events of the country, in terms of route, which is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). “It has already become a brand and athletes also get a lot of opportunities after taking part in the event," said Parki, indicating the organisers’ announcement of sending the best athletes to the London Marathon.
Along with the title, Parki received Rs 200,000, while Khadka and Bogati earned Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. Sontosh Bikram Bista, Mohan Dev GC, Prem Basnet, Sher Bahadur Budha, Ajay BK and Rudra Budhathoki finished from fourth to ninth and they also received cash prizes.
In the women’s half marathon, the 13th SAG 10,000m race gold medal winner, Santoshi from Dhading completed the hat-trick with third consecutive title. Santoshi completed the race in one hour and 20 minutes and 52 seconds. Fulmati Rana came second in 1:21:09, while the sixth edition winner Pushpa Bhandari was third in 1:23:35.
Santoshi, who also won the seventh and eighth edition titles, lauded the organisers, Creative Hands, for the route. “The best part of the event is the route and the organisers have also managed the traffic very well unlike in other marathon events,” she said. Top three athletes in the women’s half marathon received Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively. Bindra Dhanke Shrestha, Rajya Laxmi Rawal and Ganana Bhandari finished fourth to sixth respectively and they also received cash prizes.
Karnali Province athletes Durga Budha and Ram Maya Budha won the 10km open races. Durga won the men’s section event in 31:15.36, finishing ahead of Narendra Singh Raut and Dharma Maharjan. Ram Maya came first in the women’s section with the timing of 37:49.77, while Asha Rawat and Mansara Budha came second and third respectively. Top three athletes in both sections earned Rs 30,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Dipendra Bohara and Kalpana Budha won the 5km races for students of Banke. Yagya Bahadur Khatri, Rohit Kumar Tamoli and Shumsher Ali Behena won top three spots in the men’s wheelchair race, while Deu Kumari Tharu and Shyam Kali Tharu were first and second in the women’s section. Yogesh Malla won the 5km corporate run.
The annual event was organised by Creative Hands to mark the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government and the then Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on November 21, 2006 ending the decade-long insurgency.
Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Prashant Bista, Kohalpur Municipality Mayor Purna Acharya, Lumbini Province Sports Council Member Secretary Jay Prakash Bhattarai, KL Dugar CEO Pradeep Chhajed and Director Sourav Dugar, and Creative Hands Founder President TS Thakuri among others handed over the prizes to the winners.
Result
marathon
Men
| 1 | Gopi Chandra | PARKI | NEP | 2:21:39 |
| 2 | Khadag Bahadur | KHADKA | NEP | 2:22:09 |
| 3 | Kiran | BOGATI | NEP | 2:25:44 |
Half marathon
Women
| 1 | Santoshi | SHRESTHA | NEP | 1:20:52 |
| 2 | Fulmati | RANA | NEP | 1:21:09 |
| 3 | Pushpa | BHANDARI | NEP | 1:23:35 |
Date changes Photak Marathon
Race date for Photak Marathon (THA) changed
Photak Marathon date change
The Photak Marathon (THA) will take place on Sun 22 December 2024, not Sun 29 December 2024 as previously published.
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