The two runners of the year are in focus today at the 32nd Hanover Marathon: German record holder Amanal Petros and Domenika Mayer, the third fastest German marathon runner of all time, are reaching for the DM title and are warming up for the Olympic Games in Paris. NDR broadcasts live from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
There are still around four months until the starting signal for the Olympic marathon will be given on August 10th (men) and 11th (women). Petros and Mayer already got their ticket for the mega event at the Berlin Marathon at the end of September, when the exceptional athlete from SSC Berlin pulverized his own German record in 2:04:58 hours and the Regensburg woman in 2:23:47 Hours ran in third place on the all-time German best list.
In Hanover they both want to get the finishing touches for Paris and are the favorites in the fight for the German championship. “The fact that both Domenika and Amanal are returning to Hanover makes us extremely proud,” said organizer Stefanie Eichel.
Mayer had already secured the national title on the flat, fast course through the Lower Saxony state capital two years ago in her marathon debut. “I like to start where I know what to expect. And in Hanover everything was just right. That gives me the security I need. I’m just looking forward to it,” said the 33-year-old European team champion, this year Already ran over 10 km and the best time in the half marathon. “It’s difficult in the marathon. I just want to run without pressure, I want that ease,” she said on Friday.
Petros wants to improve his own track record
For Petros, who came to Lower Saxony directly from the high-altitude training camp in Kenya on Thursday, it would be the first DM gold over the 42.195 kilometers. And perhaps, like last year, when Hanover was not the venue for the DM, he will be able to set a course record again – in 2023 he set the record to 2:07:02 hours.
The start times
9 a.m.: Marathon
9.30: Marathon relays
10.35: Halbmarathon
1:15 p.m.: 10 km run
13.40: Walking 10 km
13.41: Nordic Walking, 10 km
“I would like to improve the course record again. If possible, definitely,” explained the 28-year-old, who recently demonstrated his good form at the half marathon in Lisbon in 1:00:56 hours (third place). On Thursday evening he “ran a few laps” at the Maschsee, that was nice.
“I’m looking forward to the finisher party. Awesome!”
— Amanal Petros
Last year, the Croatian Matea Parlov Kostro also set a course record for women (2:25:45).
Pfeiffer starts in the half marathon
Local hero Hendrik Pfeiffer (TK Hannover), who narrowly missed the Olympic qualification and is a substitute starter for Paris, wants to recommend himself again for the European Championships in Rome in June at his home race on the half marathon distance.
“I’m still in a very comfortable position with a view to qualifying for the European Championships, but I would like to secure the half marathon starting position once again,” said the 31-year-old, who became German marathon champion in 2022 on a leash and in Last year she triumphed in the half marathon. “I definitely want to start in the national jersey this year. Now I have the real home advantage because I’ve been living in Hanover for a long time and am a little better known in the city.”
More than 25,000 reports
A total of around 25,250 participants registered for the various routes, including a good 3,600 for the marathon. “The Hanover Marathon has made us even more visible on the sports map, thanks to the live broadcast beyond the borders of Hanover,” emphasized Mayor Belit Onay, who himself is taking part in the relay. As the final runner, he then runs to the finish line directly in front of his office in the New Town Hall.
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sports club | 14.04.2023 | 8:45 a.m
