Editor’s notes: The ADAC Hanover Marathon was held on April 13, 2026. Due to our media companions, Race Companies, a media crew that focuses on German highway races and occasions within the Center East (Dubai Marathon and RAK Half Marathon), we’ve the next protection!
ADAC MARATHON HANNOVER:
Domenika Mayer runs European high time and smashes the course file
Germany’s Domenika Mayer produced a commanding efficiency to take the ADAC Marathon Hannover with a course file time of two:21:26 and gained the nationwide championship as effectively. Smashing her 2:23:16 PB, she moved as much as second within the German and eleventh within the European all-time record. It’s the second-fastest time by a European girl this yr. Moreover, Domenika Mayer grew to become the primary athlete to win the Hannover race 4 occasions. Fellow-German Fabienne Königstein was second in 2:24:31 whereas Almaz Negede of Ethiopia completed third with 2:30:25.
Kenya’s Maru Thomas Kibet gained the boys’s race with a private greatest of two:07:53 after some late drama. Godwin Katakura of Zimbabwe and Ethiopian Asnake Dubre took second and third with 2:08:46 and a couple of:10:22, respectively. Tom Thurley completed sixth and gained the German title with 2:11:02.
A file variety of greater than 6,000 marathon runners registered for the thirty fourth version of the ADAC Marathon Hannover. Including races at shorter occasions staged throughout the weekend, the entry whole was virtually 34,000.
The anticipated duel between Domenika Mayer and Fabienne Königstein, who had solely a short while to organize as a consequence of an damage, by no means materialised. Proper from the beginning, Domenika Mayer took the lead, and the hole behind her stored rising. With a half-marathon cut up of 70:31, the 35-year-old was virtually a minute forward of Fabienne Königstein (71:25), who was operating her first race since her 2:22:17 PB in Berlin final September. Within the remaining phases, Königstein slowed and misplaced additional floor. “Given the brief preparation time, I’m pleased with my race. I didn’t have any issues in any respect after the damage – that’s nice. Domenika was very sturdy immediately,” stated Fabienne Königstein, who now targets the European Championships’ marathon in Birmingham this August.
“I’m actually completely happy. The tempo was a bit too quick within the early phases, and also you pay for that in the direction of the tip,” stated Domenika Mayer, who misplaced a while within the remaining kilometres. However with 2:21:26 she improved her private greatest by virtually two minutes and, in her fourth victory in Hanover following wins in 2022, 2024 and 2025, beat the course file she set two years in the past (2:23:50) by virtually two and a half minutes. She now ranks second within the European record for 2026. In Germany, solely nationwide file holder Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19) is forward of her. The two:20 barrier might be Domenika Mayer’s subsequent goal. “There may be nonetheless extra to return. I’ve received my sights set on that mark. I’m at all times making an attempt to run sooner and see what is feasible. In any case my time is restricted – I’m not 25 anymore,” stated Domenika Mayer.
Within the males’s race, there was a dramatic late twist within the battle for victory. After operating alone on the entrance for many of the race, Godwin Katakura slowed dramatically with just a few kilometres to go. Maru Thomas Kibet closed a major hole, took the lead from Katakura with little over two kilometres left and went on to have a good time his greatest profession win. “I didn’t anticipate to win and had already settled for the runner-up place. It is a large PB for me. Sooner or later, I wish to run 2:03,” stated Maru Thomas Kibet, who entered the race with a private greatest of two:13:48. Second-placed Katakura additionally improved his PB by a number of minutes.
After Johannes Motschmann dropped out at round 25 ok as a consequence of groin issues, the trail to the nationwide title was clear for Tom Thurley. The 32-year-old semi-professional clocked a private greatest of two:11:02. “I had hoped it would work out this manner – however a marathon is lengthy, you by no means know what would possibly occur. I’m actually completely happy,” stated Tom Thurley, who improved his PB by 17 seconds. “My aim is to run a time beneath 2:10:00. If I got the possibility to compete for the German crew on the European Championships this summer time, I might clearly take it.”
Outcomes,
Males:
1. Maru Thomas Kibet KEN 2:07:53
2. Godwin Katakura ZIM 2:08:46
3. Asnake Dubre ETH 2:10:22
4. Christopher Kitetu KEN 2:10:45
5. Archie Casteel SWE 2:10:56
6. Tom Thurley GER 2:11:02
Ladies:
1. Domenika Mayer GER 2:21:26
2. Fabienne Königstein GER 2:24:31
3. Almaz Negede ETH 2:30:25
4. Cecilia Wayua KEN 2:30:36
5. Katharina Saathoff GER 2:30:51
6. Mercy Kipkemoi KEN 2:31:48
Extra details about the ADAC Marathon Hannover is offered at: www.marathon-hannover.de