The international elite runners made a remarkable comeback at the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, breaking both course records.
Kenyan newcomer Philimon Kipchumba finished in 2:07:28, while Mengistu Zelalem of Ethiopia and Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfaye came in at 2:07:56 and 2:08:10, respectively.
These times were significantly faster than the previous course record of 2:09:46. German debutant Sebastian Hendel placed fourth with a time of 2:10:37.
Kenya had a victory in the women’s race, as Agnes Keino achieved a personal best of 2:23:26, which was almost nine minutes faster than the previous course record.
The 34 year-old outpaced the 2015 marathon World Champion Mare Dibaba, who finished in 2:24:12.
Souad Kambouchia from Morocco came in third with a time of 2:27:35. Seven women finished with times that were faster than the former course record of 2:32:11.
A total of 18,322 athletes took part in the 36th edition of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, which is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. Among these, 4,334 were marathon runners.
The race was started by Frank Shorter, who won the Olympic marathon in Munich in 1972. The American was invited as a guest of honor by the event organizers.
The GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON experienced a remarkable and historic day, as Race Director Gernot Weigl expressed his delight and satisfaction with the exceptional course records that were set.
He also emphasized the significance of the event and the organizer’s intentions to build on this success. It is worth noting that this was the first time in over two decades that the event featured a strong elite field, which led to the breaking of long-standing course records by several minutes.
Kenya’s Michael Kite held the former record for the men’s category with a time of 2:09:46 from 2000, while Germany’s Susanne Hahn had the women’s mark at 2:32:11 from her victory in the German Championships’ race in 2012.
During the race, ideal weather conditions prevailed, with temperatures starting at 9 Celsius, minimal wind, and cloudy skies. A leading group of ten runners reached the half-marathon mark in 63:41.
However, Tsegaye Mekonnen, the Ethiopian runner who still holds the unofficial world junior record of 2:04:32 and was the fastest on the start list, lost contact with the group and later dropped out.
Nevertheless, a compact group of five runners remained together until the late stages of the race, with three of them completing the 35k mark in 1:45:33. After pacemaker Bonface Kiplimo of Kenya dropped out, Philimon Kipchumba and Mengistu Zelalem engaged in a thrilling duel.
Kipchumba, a Kenyan runner, managed to surge just before the 41st kilometer, leaving Zelalem behind. Kipchumba, who achieved a debut performance beyond his expectations, hopes to achieve even faster times in the future, aiming for a 2:04 finish.
Agnes Keino and Mare Dibaba were in the lead during the women’s race, reaching the half marathon point in 71:46 and 30k in 1:42:01.
Keino, who entered the race with a personal best of 2:25:08, surged ahead with around eight kilometers remaining.
Despite being the fastest on the start list with a personal best of 2:19:52, former world champion Dibaba suffered from muscle problems and was unable to respond to Keino’s surge.
Dibaba finished second in 2:24:12, which was her fastest time since 2019.
“It was my main goal to run a personal best, and I am delighted that I achieved it, especially since I also won the race,” Keino said, improving to 2:23:26.
Selected Results
Men:
1. Philimon Kipchumba KEN 2:07:28
2. Mengistu Zelalem ETH 2:07:56
3. Berhane Tesfaye ERI 2:08:10
4. Sebastian Hendel GER 2:10:37
5. Edwin Kimaiyo KEN 2:11:02
6. Rodgers Keror KEN 2:12:34
7. Meshack Koech KEN 2:14:53
8. Ngonidzashe Ncube ZIM 2:15:39
Women:
1. Agnes Keino KEN 2:23:26
2. Mare Dibaba ETH 2:24:12
3. Souad Kambouchia MAR 2:27:35
4. Viola Yator KEN 2:28:11
5. Aberu Zennebe ETH 2:28:33
6. Cavaline Nahimana BUR 2:31:21
7. Helen Jepkurgat KEN 2:32:07
8. Lisa Fuchs GER 2:37:19
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