Running News Daily

Hawi Feysa smashes course record with 2:17:25 in Frankfurt

Hawi Feysa took the 41st Mainova Frankfurt Marathon with a superb course record: The 25 year-old Ethiopian ran 2:17:25 to improve the former women’s record by 1:45. It was also the 12th fastest performance this year. Second-placed Kenyan Magdalyne Masai ran a big personal best of 2:18:58 and also finished inside the former course record of 2:19:10. Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo was third with 2:22:37.

The men’s race had its surprise as well: the 22 year-old Kenyan debutant Benard Biwott triumphed to cross the line in 2:05:54 in Frankfurt’s Festhalle. The Ethiopians Gossa Challa and Lencho Tesfaye took second and third with 2:07:35 and 2:08:02 respectively. The combined winning times of the women’s and men’s champions came to 4:23:19, the fastest aggregate time ever in the history of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. Organisers registered 13,939 runners from 113 nations. Adding events at shorter distances, the total was 25,616 athletes.

“To have such as fantastic course record is so satisfying for all of us involved. You can prepare a great deal in elite sport but nothing is guaranteed. We had ideal conditions, many personal bests and many wonderful scenes of celebration at the finish,” said the Race Director Jo Schindler. The Elite Race Coordinator Philipp Kopp added his thoughts: “Once again we’ve shown that you can run fast in Frankfurt.” The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon had 13,939 runners from 113 countries and, taking into consideration events held in conjunction, had in total 25,616 participants.

Women’s Race: Feysa’s breakthrough, Schwiening fastest European

Hawi Feysa achieved a sensational breakthrough in the marathon by running 2:17:25. The Ethiopian had shown highly creditable performances at shorter distances and finished sixth in the World Cross Country Championships in 2023. Winning the marathon in a course record took her to a new level. “The record was my goal and everything went perfectly. After 25 kilometres I had enough energy left to run away from the group. I was very happy with my race plan. The atmosphere along the course helped me a lot. You can certainly run 2;16 on this fast course,” Hawi Feysa reflected.

Right from the start the fastest runners set out to make a concerted attack on the course record of 2:19:10. Although no runner had a personal best faster than 2:21:17, the pace was consistently aimed at breaking the record. “I wanted originally to run at my own pace alone at the head of the field. But the organizers planned that we ran together as a group until 25 kilometres. The tactic proved very good,” said Feysa, in praise of sporting director Philipp Kopp.

Five women went through halfway in 69:19, among them Hawi Feysa and the two sisters, Magdalyne and Linet Masai from Kenya. When Feysa increased the pace after 25 kilometres, only Magdalyne Masai followed her. Until just before 40 km, Masai was still in contention with the gap a few seconds. But Hawi Feysa proved unbeatable and ran a clearly faster second half of the race to finish in triumph in the Festhalle. Magdalyne Masai was a highly creditable second in 2:18:58.

While it was the first time that two women ran below 2:20 in Frankfurt a large number of elite runners achieved personal bests: Four women from the top 5 and six from the top 10 ran PBs. British runners achieved a string of great results in Frankfurt: Georgina Schwiening was the fastest European with a strong PB of 2:25:46 in eleventh place. A staggering number of seven British women finished inside the top 25 in the „Festhalle“.

Men’s Race: A day for the debutants

The men’s elite field, featuring talent spread evenly throughout, set off at a pace which made the target finishing time of under 2:05 a real possibility. Split times of 29:38 for 10km and 44:30 at 15km pointed to a time in the region of just under 2:05. Subsequently the pace dropped somewhat, despite the excellent weather conditions with temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees, overcast and almost no win. But with a number of kilometre splits around 3 minutes, halfway was reached in 62:52. For much of the time, the 13-strong leading group then stayed compact and there was little change.

The first serious attack came only after 30 km but it proved decisive: Bernard Biwott went to the front and only Gossa Challa proved capable of going with the marathon debutant. But when the Kenyan forced the pace again between 35 and 37 kilometres and covered the single kilometres in around 2:50, the Ethiopian had no reply. Biwott, who previously had shown highly promising form at half marathon, achieving a best of 59:44, won with over a minute and a half to spare. “I’m so happy because I didn’t expect that I could win on my debut. I want to thank the organizers and my manager Gianni Demadonna for their support,” said Bernard Biwott who had achieved a rare win here on debut. The last occasion in the men’s race in Frankfurt was in 2008 when a fellow Kenyan, Robert Cheruiyot, won in what was then a course record of 2:07:21.

To add to the surprises, a marathon debutant was also the fastest runner from Germany in the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. Jan Lukas Becker finished 17th in 2:15:20 and had been on course for a finishing time of under 2:11 for much of the race. 

Results, Men:

1. Benard Biwott KEN 2:05:54

2. Gossa Challe ETH 2:07:35

3. Lencho Tesfaye ETH 2:08:02

4. Gerba Dibaba ETH 2:09:03

5. Aychew Dessie ETH 2:09:22

6. Workneh Serbessa ETH 2:09:30

7. Christopher Muthini KEN 2:09:31

8. Ebba Chala  SWE 2:09:35

9. Tim Vincent AUS 2:09:40

10. Mulat Gebeyehu ETH 2:10:07

Women:

1. Hawi Feysa ETH 2:17:25

2. Magdalyne Masai KEN 2:18:58

3. Shuko Genemo ETH 2:22:37

4. Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:22:42

5. Agnes Keino KEN 2:22:53

6. Kidsan Alema ETH 2:23:27

7. Linet Masai KEN 2:23:52

8. Judith Kiyeng KEN 2:24:41

9. Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:25:13

10. Aberash Korsa ETH 2:25:43

(10/27/2024) Views: 135 ⚡AMP

Elisha Rotich and Yeshi Chekole head strong elite fields in Frankfurt

Elisha Rotich of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Yeshi Chekole head the elite field of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon next Sunday. Rotich has a personal best of 2:04:21 while Chekole’s personal record stands at 2:21:17. More than 14,000 marathon runners have entered the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon which is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race.

A number of athletes had to cancel their start recently due to either injury or visa problems. Among them are Ethiopians Herpasa Negasa and Tigist Abayechew as well as Eric Kiptanui of Kenya. The men’s start list now features four runners with personal bests of sub 2:07:00 and another ten who have run below 2:10:00. 

While the leading men will probably run a 2:05 pace and organisers hope that a winning time slightly below that mark might be possible, the women could produce the highlight at the 41st edition of Germany’s oldest city marathon. They are expected to attack the course record of Valary Aiyabei. The Kenyan ran 2:19:10 in 2019. Five women have entered the race featuring personal bests of sub 2:23:00. Additionally Ethiopia’s Hawi Feiysa might do very well. She currently has a PB of 2:23:36. But her half marathon time of 65:41 suggests that she should be able to run much faster. Additionally Hawi Feiysa ran a brilliant race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, last year when she placed sixth. 

Tom Thurley and Laura Hottenrott lead the domestic challenge in Frankfurt. Thurley was second in this year’s national championships with 2:14:52 and Hottenrott ran 2:24:32 in Valencia a year ago. She competed in the Olympic marathon in Paris and finished 38th. 

Elite runners with personal bests

MEN

Elisha Rotich  KEN  2:04:21

Lencho Tesfaye  ETH  2:06:18

Aychew Bantie  ETH  2:06:23

Birhan Nebebew  ETH  2:06:52

Gossa Challa ETH 2:07:43

Workneh Serbessa ETH 2:07:58

Abdelaziz Merzougui  ESP  2:08:00

Gerba Dibaba ETH 2:08:25

Jake Robertson  NZL  2:08:26

Belay Bezabeh ETH 2:08:58

Ebba Chala SWE 2:09:06

Reuben Narry KEN 2:09:06

Bernard Muia KEN 2:09:17

Vincent Ronoh KEN 2:09:21

Tom Thurley  GER 2:14:52

Jonathan Dahlke  GER  2:15:42

Jan Lukas Becker GER Debüt

WOMEN

Yeshi Chekole ETH 2:21:17

Shuko Genemo ETH 2:21:35

Magdalyne Masai  KEN  2:22:16

Kidsan Alema ETH 2:22:28

Meseret Dinke ETH 2:22:52

Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:23:02

Agnes Keino KEN 2:23:26

Hawi Feiysa ETH 2:23:36

Linet Masai  KEN  2:23:46 

Laura Hottenrott GER 2:24:32

Tadelech Nedi ETH 2:26:23

Georgina Schwiening GBR 2:26:28

Aberash Korsa  ETH 2:29:04

(10/23/2024) Views: 161 ⚡AMP

Chepngetich shatters Buenos Aires record as Kenyans dominate races

2019 World Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich blazed through the Buenos Aires Half Marathon on Sunday, setting a new course record of 1:05:58.

Chepngetich broke the previous record of 1:06:10, held by Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh, who claimed the title last year.

Alemaddis Eyayu finished second with a time of 1:07:04 while Joyce Chepkemoi rounded out the podium clocking 1:07:35.

Veronica Loleo secured fourth in 1:08:09, with Dorcas Jepchirchir coming in seventh at 1:09:03 and Sandrafelis Chebet finishing 11th in 1:12:19.

Chepngetich improved on her previous appearance in the half marathon, where she placed third in 1:06:18, trailing Ethiopia’s Yashaneh (1:06:10) and Gutemi Shone (1:06:12).

In the men’s event, Ethiopia’s Gerba Dibaba outshined the Kenyan contingent, clinching the crown in 1:00:24.

Kenya's Cosmas Mwangi (1:00:25), Richard Yator (1:00:44), Bernard Biwott (1:00:53), Gideon Kiprotich (1:00:54) and Isaac Kipkemboi (1:01:06)followed in that order. 

Mwangi improved on his third-place finish from last year, where he clocked 59:29 behind Roncer Konga (59:08) and Felix Kipkoech (59:28).

(08/26/2024) Views: 206 ⚡AMP
by Teddy Mulei

Kenyan Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei won the 2024 Wizz Air Milano Marathon

The Kenyan - with his new personal best - won the finish line in Piazza del Duomo. In the women's race, Ethiopian Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu won.

Kenyan  Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei  won the 2024 Wizz Air Milano Marathon . With a time of 2h07'12" he crossed the finish line in Piazza del Duomo first. It is also his new personal best (the previous one was 2h07'46").  

Raymond Kipchumba Choge and defending champion Andrew Rotich Kwemoi complete the podium. In the women's race , Ethiopian Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu won in 2h26'32". Second was Jepchirchir in 2h27'13". Third was Fantu Gelasa with a time of 02h30'52".

In the men's race, the pace is fast from the start with a passage of 29:56 at 10km for a group of a dozen athletes, then 1h03:43 at half. Shortly after the 30th km (1h30:51) further selection with a quartet on the run: Kwemoi, Kipkosgei, Choge and Isaac Kipkemboi Too (then seventh in 2h11:16). The challenge for the victory lights up at the 34th km with the explosive action of Kwemoi but shortly before the 38th km he is caught by Kipkosgei who takes the reins of the race and takes off. Towards the last kilometre, the Ugandan pays for the attack and is also overtaken by Choge. At the foot of the podium were the Ethiopians Gerba Dibaba (2h08:25) and Barecha Tolosa Geleto (2h08:27). “I am very happy with my test - comments Kipkosgei - and with having obtained the staff in such a beautiful city. I preferred to run at my own pace, I was very careful to manage my strength. When I reached the lead of the race I charged up and found the energy for the final sprint.

Thanks Milan also for all the support along the way." More than 6900 reached the finish line, supported by 15 "cheering points", three of which were animated by Milanese clubs present and noisy with many young athletes ( Atletica Meneghina , Milano Atletica and Aspes ).

The initial protagonist of the women's race is the Ethiopian Gelasa who passes the half way mark in 1h10:34 and the 30th km in 1h40:59, however the pace turns out to be too fast with the decisive comeback of Memuye, leader of the race, and also of Jepchirchir who takes second place. Fourth was the Australian Sarah Klein (2h32:55), fifth the Ethiopian Tigist Bikila (2h32:59). “I no longer expected to be able to regain my head - the words of the winner Memuye - but I believed in it until the end. For me it is a great satisfaction, because Milan marks my return to racing after a long injury. In Ethiopia I train with the world record holder Tigist Assefa and the world champion Amane Beriso, both of whom encouraged me before leaving for Italy". First of the Italians was Giovanni Vanini (Cardarchitettura), fifteenth in 2h25:08, and in the women's category Nadine De La Cruz Aguirre (Gs Il Fiorino, 2h52:08) placed eighth : in a Lombard key the top is the double 15th place with Vanini and Chiara Milanesi (Runners Bergamo), 2h58:44 among women. Among the many people who experienced a Sunday dedicated to solidarity connected to the Boris Becker relay for Fondazione Laureus Italia, Silvia Salis and Paolo Kessisoglu: Federica Curiazzi, Beatrice Foresti, Giuseppe Dino and Daniele Breda), Elisa Di Francisca for WeWorld, Massimo Ambrosini, Rachele Sangiuliano and DJ Ringo for Fondazione Italiana Diabete, Pietro Arese and Andrea Lalli for Fiamme Gialle, Juliana Moreira for Magical Cleme. A Sunday also animated by the Levissima Family Run, with over 8 thousand runners including children and adults of all ages, and preceded by the Milano Running Festival presented by Sky, 40 thousand attendees from Thursday to Saturday.

(04/08/2024) Views: 547 ⚡AMP

Mateiko and Gebreselama with bright future after dominant RAK wins

There were breakout victories for hitherto little known Daniel Mateiko of Kenya and Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates early Saturday morning. And the imperious manner of their wins on a breezy, humid morning with a sea mist invading the latter stages suggests they both have a very bright future.

Yet the contrast in their race-winning tactics could hardly have been greater. Mateiko led from the gun, and only conceded the lead for brief periods, before outgunning his colleagues John Korir and Isaia Lasoi in the final kilometre, to win in a world leading 58min 45sec. Korir and Lasoi finished five and ten seconds behind respectively.

In contrast, Gebreselama contented herself to stay in the pack until she was ready to strike for home in the last five kilometres. Only former world record holder (64.31) and 2020 winner, colleague Ababel Yeshaneh could go with her, but that challenge didn’t last long. And such was Gebreselama’s attritional pace that by the time she crossed the line in 65.14, Yeshaneh was exactly half a minute in arrears. Jackline Sakilu of Tanzania was the surprise of the day, setting a national record of 66.05 in third place. What was no surprise was that the podium places were taken by athletes from three East African countries who share the same topography, the high altitude plateau of the Great Rift Valley.

Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany threatened to gatecrash that exclusive club up to the hallway point in a race, having come directly from her own training camp in Ethiopia. But, having headed the field up to 10k, which she passed in 31.09, which would have been a PB had she finished the race, she tailed off drastically and dropped out shortly afterwards, saying she did not feel well.

Olympic marathon champion, Peres Jepchirchir had been one of the favourites to win, but in the bustle of the start, someone trod on her heel and she lost around 20sec putting her shoe back on. Surprisingly for someone with her long experience, instead of working her way gradually back to the group, she shot off and rejoined them before they had completed the first kilometre. She paid for that unnecessary effort in the closing stages, and could only finish seventh in 67.19.

Gebreselama was not entirely unknown prior to today; she finished second in the world cross country championships in Australia last year. ‘That was my best performance, but today is better than that, because I won,’ she said after the race. ‘I knew I was in good shape. I think I like cross country and road running equally, but now I must prepare for the track’. In a reversal of tradition, she is leaving here for a four-month stint in an altitude training camp in the USA, before she runs the Ethiopian trials with the intent on making the Olympic team at 10,000 metres.

Having been told that there was no pacemaker in the men’s race, we wondered why Mateiko, who led from the gun kept consulting his watch and checking over his shoulder at his pursuers. Maybe he was surprised they were still there for so long, right up to the final kilometre. But having done all work, he was rewarded with a more than worthy victory, then engagingly stated that that was his intent throughout the race. ‘After finishing second last year, I promised myself to win. But the conditions were difficult; it was windy and very humid.’

Mateiko hails from Mount Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border, but now trains in Eldoret with twice Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge under the tutelage of former steeplechaser Patrick Sang. ‘Patrick told me I was in good shape, but to be strong-minded. And Eliud is giving me advice too. I would like to have his consistency. Now my dream is to run well in the London Marathon’. If his marathon debut is as impressive as his win here today, the London crowds in April will be in for a treat.

Results, Men:

1 Daniel Mateiko KEN 58:45

2 John Korir KEN 58:50

3 Isaia Lasoi KEN 58:55

4 Gerba Dibaba ETH 59:38

5 Benard Koech KEN 59:42

6 Birhanu Legese ETH 59:43

7 Tamirat Tola ETH 59:46

8 Amos Kibiwot KEN 59:51

9 Boki Diriba ETH 60:10

10 Alphonce Simbu TAN 60:28

Women:

1 Tsigie Gebreselama ETH 65:14

2 Ababel Yeshaneh ETH 65:44

3 Jackline Sakilu TAN 66:05

4 Margaret Chelimo KEN 66:31

5 Evaline Chirchir KEN 66:36

6 Catherine Amanang’ole KEN 66:49

7 Peres Jepchirchir KEN 67:19

8 Gete Alemayehu ETH 67:25

9 Megertu Alemu ETH 69:23

10 Ashete Bekere ETH 70:03

(02/25/2024) Views: 588 ⚡AMP

Bernard Koech using Copenhagen Half Marathon to calibrate for Amsterdam Marathon

Koech will be testing his limits by competing against youngsters.

Reigning Haspa Marathon champion Bernard Koech will use the Copenhagen Half Marathon to fine-tune for the Amsterdam Marathon scheduled for Sunday, October 15.

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, September 17 and Koech will be testing his limits competing against youngsters.

The 35-year-old is the second fastest in the field with a Personal Best time of 59:10. 24-year-old Kennedy Kimutai headlines the strong field with a time of 58:28.

Kimutai opened his season at the New York City Half Marathon where he finished 12th then proceeded to settle fifth at the Adizero Road to Records.

Bravin Kiprop is the third fastest with a PB time of 59:22. Greatest opposition for Team Kenya might come from the Ethiopian charge. Gerba Dibaba will be lining up with a PB time of 59:39 and he will enjoy the company of Gemechu Dida who has a PB time of 59:53.

The women’s field is headlined by Hawi Feysa who possesses a Personal Best time of 1:05:41 and is followed closely by compatriot Bosena Mulate who has a PB time of 1:05:46.

Gladys Chepkirui is the third fastest in the field with a time of 1:05:46. The 29-year-old Kenyan will be hunting for the first win of her season when she lines up against other strong women.

She opened her season with a fourth-place finish at the Zurich Half Marathon before going to a 5km race at the ASICS Österreichischer Frauenlauf where she finished third.

Her last race was at the Scania Half Marathon Zwolle in Netherlands where she finished second. Chepkirui will enjoy the company of compatriots Irine Cheptai and Viola Cheptoo among others.

(09/14/2023) Views: 835 ⚡AMP
by Abigael Wuafula