EN
Palma de Mallorca, 18 October 2009. A record number of runners took part in the 6th International TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca: 7,345 highly motivated runners from 56 countries started on the “most beautiful island marathon in the world“. Obviously the organiser was pleased with the 16 percent increase in
TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca: Over 7,000 runners – Miguel Capo Soller wins marathon again / 10,000 euro donation for Unicef
Palma de Mallorca, 18 October 2009. A record number of runners took part in the 6th International TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca: 7,345 highly motivated runners from 56 countries started on the “most beautiful island marathon in the world“.
Obviously the organiser was pleased with the 16 percent increase in comparison with the previous year. Some 1,326 entrants ventured to take part in the prestigious marathon, whereas for the half marathon the figure was 2,883. The 10-kilometre distance started with 1,514 runners and walkers, while the Unicef Kids Run proved to be a veritable magnetic attracting 1,600 children between two and twelve years old. Thousands of spectators cheered on the athletes along the course.
With the impressive La Seu Cathedral as a backdrop Dr Michael Frenzel, Chief Executive of TUI AG, fired the starter’s gun for the TUI Marathon. He was obviously pleased with the positive development of the running event: “The annually increasing number of entrants and the great atmosphere on and along the route are clear indicators that we have successfully established the TUI Marathon on Mallorca. The positive feedback from runners, holidaymakers and local inhabitants shows us that we are managing to give something back to the most popular holiday destination of our customers.“
At a 15 to 20 degrees the runners and a breeze, the runners enjoyed the optimised panorama route through the old town, along the harbour and the Playa de Palma.
Last years winner from Spains wins Marathon again
The first man home Miguel Capo Soller from Spain left all his competitors behind. His winning time was 2:30:58. He moreover won the Balearics Championships, that for the first time took place Second was Manuel Heraz Martinez (Spain) in a time of 2:36:25, and in third place came Anton Wippel from Austria (2:37:22).
In the women’s race Jessica Purbrick from Australia was the first to cross the finishing line. Her time of 3:05:27 was just better than that of Sandra Huberty from Luxembourg (3:07:19) and Ines Schuster from Germany (3:15:06), who came second and third.
Half Marathon winner comes from Spain
The fastest half marathon runner in a time of 1:11:44 was the marathon world champion from 1995 Martin Fiz from Spain. Second was the Spanish Toumi Dahmani in a time of 1:12:08. In third place was Jonathan Harre from Germany in 1:12:27. The women’s competition was won by Bianca Meyer from Germany in a time of 1:23:43. Second and third over finishing line were Anita Pichler (1:24:07) from Austria and Marga Fullana from Spain (1:25:27).
1,600 children run in Unicef Kids Run / TUI donates 10,000 euros
There was another record number of entrants in the Unicef Kids Run: 1,600 upcoming runners aged from two to twelve completed the 600 or 1,200 metre long course at the Paseo Antonio Maura on the day before the marathon. Besides the thrill of the race, the event was in a good cause. For every child who ran TUI donated five euros to the Unicef aid project “Water for Niger – Every drop counts“, which goes towards improving the living conditions of children in the region. The Children’s Fund was the title sponsor for the Kids Run this year. The total amount donated was increased to 10,000 euros.
Dr Eckart von Hirschhausen and Achim Achilles in the 10km duet
What would the TUI Marathon be without celebrity runners? Running for the first time this year was the comedian and acclaimed author Dr med Eckart von Hirschhausen. He ran for his “Humor hilft Heilen“ (Humour helps Healing) foundation, which arranges for clowns to come to German hospitals to cheer up above all young patients and instil them with fresh courage for their future life. TUI supported the dedicated physician by donating 10,000 euros. Dr Eckart von Hirschhausen ran the 10-kilometre distance together with Achim Achilles, author of the popular column on running in Spiegel Online. The two celebrity runners entertained the Marathon visitors by their performances in the run-up to the race: Dr med Eckart von Hirschhausen presented his new stage show ”Liebesbeweise“ (Proof of love) to 1,600 spectators in the Palma auditorium. Achim Achilles read from his books and columns and entertained the audience with anecdotes from his life as Germany’s most famous amateur runner.
TUI Marathon 2010 with new highlights
Michael Lambertz, Director of TUI AG Group Marketing and responsible for the TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca, announced at this stage how the running event would be continued: “Instead of resting on our laurels, we are looking to yet again increase the number of entrants in 2010. Together with TUI Cruises we will be offering for the first time two running-event cruises, on which guests on board “Mein Schiff“ can prepare themselves for the marathon or wind down afterwards.“
The 7th International TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca will take place on 17 October 2010.
