Koech chasing course record in Hamburg

Haspa Marathon Hamburg defending champion and course record holder Bernard Koech is back on the streets of Germany on Sunday 28 April, with lofty targets.

Gotytom Gebreslase, the World Champion from 2022, is the favourite in the women’s race.

The 36-year-old Koech, who tied his personal best with 2:04:09 (from finishing second at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2021) a year ago while winning the same race is looking to go faster on Sunday.

“Training went well and I have reached the same level I was in while competing last year. If the weather conditions are fine then a fast time is possible,” Koech said.

While it is highly unlikely that he could still be selected for the Olympic marathon, the Copenhagen Half Marathon silver medalist says he will give the race everything adding, “If they should select me then I will be ready.”

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. 

Distance running stars set for Adizero Road to Records showdowns

Compatriots Brimin Misoi and Philemon Kiplimo are tipped to be among the strongest challengers for the defending champion. Both have done very well on German roads in the past.

Misoi has won the Frankfurt Marathon twice in a row, registering a new PB of 2:04:53 despite windy and rainy conditions while defending his title. 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.

Meanwhile, it was in Berlin last year, where 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. 

Organisers have introduced an additional bonus of 20,000 Euros (Approx Ksh 2.8 million) for the course records. All runners - men and women - who finish inside the course records share this amount.

MEN:

Getaneh Molla ETH 2:03:34

Bernard Koech KEN 2:04:09

Roland Korir KEN 2:04:22

Dickson Chumba KEN 2:04:32

Barselius Kipyego KEN 2:04:48

Brimin Misoi KEN 2:04:53

Philemon Kiplimo KEN 2:04:56

Oqbe Ruesom ERI 2:05:51

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:57

Tsedat Ayana ETH 2:06:18

Geoffrey Kirui KEN 2:06:27

Olivier Irabaruta BDI 2:07:13

Jake Robertson NZL 2:08:26

Amaury Paquet BEL 2:08:44

Martin Musau UGA 2:08:45

Benjamin Preisner CAN 2:08:58

Ebba Tulu Chala SWE 2:09:06

Therence Bizosa BDI 2:09:18

Maxim Raileanu MDA 2:09:22

Jorge Castelblanco PAN 2:09:24

Joaquim Arbe ARG 2:09:36

Yohannes Chiappinelli ITA 2:09:46

Paul Tanui KEN 2:09:57

Abraham Cheroben KEN Debüt

WOMEN:

Gotytom Gebreslase ETH 2:18:18

Winfridah Moseti KEN 2:20:55

Sharon Chelimo KEN 2:22:07

Kidsan Alema ETH 2:22:28

Nienke Brinkman NED 2:22:51

Natasha Wodak CAN 2:23:12

Margaret Wangari KEN 2:23:52

Jessica Augusto POR 2:24:25

Ayantu Kumela ETH 2:24:29

Katharina Steinruck GER 2:24:56

Fadouwa Ledhem FRA 2:25:50

Ellie Pashley AUS 2:26:21

Sara Ribeiro POR 2:26:39

Rabea Schöneborn GER 2:27:03

Daiana Ocampo ARG 2:27:16

Kristina Hendel GER 2:27:29

Isabel Oropeza Vazque MEX 2:27:57

Irine Cheptai KEN Debut

Aminet Ahmed ETH Debüt