Thrilling Wheelchair and Handbiker Races – 46. BERLIN-MARATHON 2019

Manuela Schär and Marcel Hug made it a Swiss double in winning the wheelchair titles in the 46th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON while the Handbiker competition was dominated by Jennette Jansen and her fellow Dutch racer Jetze Plat.

Wheelchairs
“After failing to produce my best form last year, I definitely wanted to race well today,” admitted Marcel Hug after his triumph. In 2018 he was beaten in the sprint to the line by Brent Lakatos of Canada – today he gave his all to break clear of the field early in the race – and the daring move worked! After 10 kilometres he had already built up a 30 second lead ahead of Lakatos and the other pursuers. He continued to extend his lead right up to the finish line, winning in 1:28:09 from David Weir of Britain (1:31:45) and last year’s champion Brent Lakatos (1:31:46). The 32-year-old Swiss has now won five BMW BERLIN-MARATHON titles.

At the age of 34 Manuela Schär proved there was no dimming of her powers and remains one of the outstanding athletes in this event.

Manuela Schär (SUI), Winner BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2019 Wheelchair
photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Norbert Wilhelmi

She went out hard from the start and went clear of her rivals after only a few kilometres. She crossed the line in an untroubled 1:38:07 with almost four minutes advantage over Amanda McGrory from the USA (1:42:05) and Australia’s Madison de Rozario (1:42:09) who were involved in an exciting duel to the finish. “I’ve invested more time in my training this year. My success shows this was worth it,” reflected Schär, who now has five BMW BERLIN-MARATHON titles in her collection.

Handbikers
The Dutch racer Jetze Plat dominated the early kilometres among the handbikers and maintained his advantage right to the finish line. Plat won in 1:00:01, well clear of the Belgian Jonas van de Steene (1:04:01). Last year’s winner, Vico Merklein of Germany, finished a close third in 1:04:01. Merklein said later: “I had hoped we get ourselves warmed up by staying together in a group for the first few kilometres. I never reckoned with such a fast attack by Jetze Plat.

 Jetze Plat (NED), Winner BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2019 Handbiker
photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Norbert Wilhelmi

”In the women’s race Jennette Jansen retained her title as the Dutch racer proved too strong for her rivals, winning in 1:10:21. Katrin Möller (1:18:55) and Yvonne Pijahn (1:25:11) finished second and third for Germany.

Results:Women’s Wheelchairs:

1. Manuela Schär (SUI) 1:38:07
2. Amanda Mcgrory (USA) 1:42:05
3. Madison de Rozario (AUS) 1:42:09

Men’s Wheelchairs:

1. Marcel Hug (SUI) 1:28:09
2. David Weir (GBR) 1:31:45
3. Brent Lakatos (CAN) 1:31:46

Women’s Handbikers:

1. Jennette Janson (NED) 1:10:21
2. Katrin Möller (GER) 1:18:55
3. Yvonne Pijahn (GER) 1:25:11

Men’s Handbikers:

1. Jetze Plat (NED) 1:00:01
2. Jonas van de Steene (BEL) 1:04:01
3. Vico Merklein (GER) 1:04:01

The News-Flash-Video you get here:  Download  Media Guide Online The Media Guide of the 2019 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON contains info and statistics including potraits of elite runners. NEWS: On 1st of October 2019 the registration for the 47th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON starts! About the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM), the group of six leading marathons in the world which was founded in 2006. They comprise Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. The winners and leading finishers at the six AWMM races earn points according to their positions which culminate in an overall men’s and women’s winner at the end of a one-year-cycle. The prize money for the winners amounts to US$ 250,000 each. Since 2016 the series has also included wheelchair athletes. An age group category for mass runners has now been added with a points system to decide men’s and women’s winners. Series XII begins with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2018 and will end with the Berlin race in 2019. Further information about the scoring system for elite and mass competitors can be found at: www.worldmarathonmajors.com

For questions and further information please contact: Robert Fekl Head of Communications SCC EVENTS