Very fast times and thrilling races are expected at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on Sunday. Just a year after Yalemzerf Yehualaw set a sensational course record of 2:17:23, which at that time was an unofficial world debut record as well, a fellow-Ethiopian will be at the start line, hoping to smash the mark: 20 year-old Tiruye Mesfin announced at the press conference in Hamburg that she targets a world-class time of sub 2:17. Brazil’s Daniel do Nascimento is among the men’s favorites. The South American record holder wants to bounce back after disaster struck in New York in November. After taking the European marathon gold in Munich in sensational style last summer Hamburg will be the first race at the classic distance for Germany’s Richard Ringer. Around 12,000 runners have registered for the marathon event while the total number including shorter races is over 30,000.
Samwel Mailu was glued to the TV screen in Kenya when in October 2019 his idol Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier in Vienna’s Prater Park. The sensational achievement made worldwide headlines. It was exactly on the same stretch of road in the Prater, where Samwel Mailu broke away from his remaining rivals on Sunday during the 40th Vienna City Marathon. “But I did not think about Eliud at this moment as I was not aware that it was exactly on this road where he was running in 2019,“ said Samwel Mailu. With around 10 kilometers left in the race, the 30-year-old went on to break the nine-year-old course record of the Vienna City Marathon with a time of 2:05:08 in warm conditions.
Ruth Chepngetich, one of the world’s leading long distance runners, will be the star attraction of the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday. The Kenyan, who broke the world record on this course with 64:02 two years ago, has a unique win streak in Istanbul. The 28 year-old competed five times in Turkey’s two major international road races, the half marathon and the marathon. She always won and broke the course record on each occasion.
The Double Threshold System and the Canova Special Block may share some apparent similarities, but delving deeper reveals their intrinsic differences. It is essential for runners to grasp this key takeaway: the Double Threshold System is not merely a Canova Special Block. While both involve two intense workouts in a day and a significant volume of fast running, their objectives and training philosophies set them apart.
Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man, is savoring the sweet fruits of his tireless dedication as he enjoys a well-earned off-season. Omanyala's journey through the past season was nothing short of extraordinary, marked by numerous achievements and commendable performances.
The contest for medals at the sharp end of the 40th edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 29 promises both exciting and fast competition. Last year’s men’s champion Brimin Misoi renews his rivalry with runner-up Samwel Mailu, the latter arriving in Frankfurt with recent outstanding form. Among the challengers to both Kenyans should be Guye Adola. The Ethiopian has a personal best of 2:03:46 which makes him among the fastest ever lining up for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.
It's been an eventful four-year interval since the internationally renowned marathon sensation, Eliud Kipchoge, graced the bustling streets of Shanghai. Hailing from Kenya and a double Olympic gold medalist, Kipchoge is universally acclaimed as the preeminent marathon runner of our era. He continues to display unwavering dedication in his mission to disseminate the ardor for running and engage with local running enthusiasts.
In a startling development, Titus Ekiru, a highly-acclaimed marathon champion, has been slapped with a ten-year suspension from the world of athletics due to his involvement in a major doping controversy. Ekiru, widely acknowledged as the sixth-fastest marathon runner in history, found himself embroiled in a precarious situation after failing two separate urine tests for banned substances in 2021, coinciding with his triumphs in the Milan and Abu Dhabi Marathons.
Valencia, Spain - In a riveting exhibition of skill and determination, Kibiwott Kandie clinched victory in the men's category of the esteemed Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on a balmy Sunday. With perfect weather gracing the event - a comfortable 15°C at the starting line and nary a breath of wind - Kandie, a former world record-holder, delivered a remarkable performance by crossing the finish line at an astounding 57:40. This secured his third win in Valencia while fending off some tough competition.
In a stunning performance that underscored his dominance, Brimin Misoi from Kenya claimed his second consecutive victory at the prestigious Frankfurt Marathon, held in the heart of Germany this past Sunday. Misoi's superb demonstration of skill showcased his unrivaled command of the competition.
