RUNNING GERMANY – HANNOVER – THRILLERS IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN’S RACES AT HANNOVER MARATHON – By David Martin

Russia's Natalya Puchkova in a nailbiting finish with Aberume Mekuria of Ethiopia smashed the course record in a time of two hours 30 minutes 17 seconds to win the TUI Hannover Marathon on Sunday .

Puchkova after looking to have sealed  victory  with a one minute advantage ahead of her rivals at the halfway point was reeled in by a chasing pack of Ethiopian  runners who dramatically reduced the margin on their European opponent.

However Puchkova who came into the race with a personal best of 2:33:03 held on to win by a stride from Mekuria who was given the same time with  Halima Hassen Beriso plus Zeineba Hasso third and fourth in 2:30:26 and  2:30:27.   

The men's race was just as close Joseph Kiptum of Kenya sharing the same time with Ethiopia's Megersa Bacha Chiuala of 2:09:56 with Peter Kurui also from Kenya third in 2:10:09.

David Martin