Yalemzerf Yehualaw runs sensational 2:17:23 marathon debut in Hamburg

Cybrian Kotut wins 2022 Hamburg and breaks CR of Eliud Kipchoge, photo: Haspa Marathon Hamburg / Hoch Zwei

Yalemzerf Yehualaw runs sensational 2:17:23 marathon debut in Hamburg

Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, producing a sensational marathon debut. The 22 year-old Ethiopian clocked 2:17:23 which is the fastest time by a debutant ever. So far Paula Radcliffe’s time of 2:18:56 from London in 2002 was the fastest debut time by a woman. Yalemzerf Yehualaw became the sixth fastest women in the history of marathon running, broke the course record, and set a German Allcomer record. Fikrte Wereta took second in 2:26:15 and Bone Cheluke made it an all-Ethiopian podium with 2:26:23 for third place.

In the men’s race, Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:05:30 course record from 2013 was broken by fellow-Kenyan Cybrian Kotut. He clocked 2:04:47, just edging Uganda’s debutant Stephen Kissa who crossed the line one second behind the winner. Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse followed in third place with 2:05:07.

A total of 20,000 entries from 68 nations were registered by organizers for the 36th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, including shorter running events on Sunday. Around 10,500 of them competed in the marathon. Additionally, 9,000 children participated in a 4.2 k run on Saturday.

“That was a great spring comeback for us. We presented a stunning race on the streets of Hamburg and we are proud of the extremely strong results, including two-course records and a unique debut by Yalemzerf Yehualaw,” said chief organizer Frank Thaleiser.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw came in late on Thursday and missed the pre-race press conference, but she took center stage on Sunday when it mattered. In sunny but windy conditions and temperatures around 10 Celsius, Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw dominated the women’s race from the beginning and constantly increased her lead. She ran past the half marathon mark in a super-fast 68:30. At this point, she was already over two and a half minutes ahead. At the end of the race, the gap between her and the second runner was almost nine minutes. “The race went well for me, considering this was my first marathon. The fast Hamburg course suited me and the spectators helped me a lot,” said the winner. Yalemzerf Yehualaw was around four and a half minutes faster than former Hamburg course record holder Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia (2:21:54 in 2016). Additionally, she broke the German Allcomers record of Kenya’s Gladys Cherono who ran 2:18:11 in Berlin in 2018.

In the men’s race, things looked a lot closer from the beginning. 17 men passed the 10k mark in 29:29. A major surge came late in the race, with only four kilometers to go. Cybrian Kotut and Stephen Kissa, a debutant from Uganda, broke away from the leading group, which included six runners at that point. Both delivered a stunning showdown right to the finish line. In the final sprint, Cybrian Kotut pushed himself to a close victory in 2:04:47, a second ahead of Stephen Kissa (2:04:48). Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse took the third spot at 2:05:07. All three runners were within the former course record of Eliud Kipchoge which stood at 2:05:30. The Kenyan superstar set this record back in 2013, running his marathon debut in Hamburg. ”I am very happy that I broke the course record. The pacemakers covered me well from the wind. It was not easy with the wind, but overall the conditions were very good,” said Cybrian Kotut.

The fastest German runner was Florian Röser. He ran a solid marathon debut in 2:15:03. ”I’m very surprised to be the fastest German athlete. The race was not ideal for me but considering that this was my debut it was good,” he said.

Kristina Hendel was the dominant German woman in the field. She finished the race in a strong fifth position with a personal best of 2:27:29. “We had to fight against the wind from kilometer 8 till 31. On top of that, I got cramps but they eased later in the race. I broke my personal best, and I am very proud of that. I hope to run in a German vest at the European Championships in Munich,” said Christina Hendel. The former Croatian gained German citizenship in 2021 but is not eligible yet to compete for Germany internationally. Deborah Schöneborn finished the race as the second-fastest German woman in 9th place with a time of 2:29:51.

Results, Men:

1. Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:47

2. Stephen Kissa UGA 2:04:48

3. Workineh Tadesse ETH 2:05:07

4. Victor Kiplangat UGA 2:05:09

5. Abebe Negewo ETH 2:06:05

6. Masresha Bere ETH 2:06:44

7. Edwin Kiptoo KEN 2:06:52

8. Abraham Kiptoo KEN 2:06:59

9. Bazewe Asmare ETH 2:07:13

10. Bernard Ngeno KEN 2:07:27

Frauen:

1. Yalemzerf Yehualaw ETH 2:17:13

2. Fikrte Wereta ETH 2:26:15

3. Bone Cheluke ETH 2:26:23

4. Tseginesh Mekonnen ETH 2:26:29

5. Kristina Hendel CRO 2:27:29

6. Priscah Jeptoo KEN 2:28:48

7. Rosa Chacha ECU 2:28:52

8. Gadise Mulu ETH 2:28:37

9. Deborah Schöneborn GER 2:29:51

10. Jana Soethout GER 2:34:28

More information is available at: www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.de