Olomouc Welcomes New Champions As Motschmann of Germany and Soler of Spain Dominate the Mattoni Half Marathon

It’s not often that a decisive, race-winning move happens in both the men’s and women’s races within the first half of the course.

But that’s exactly what unfolded at the 15th edition of the Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc, a race that proudly holds a World Athletics Road Race Label. Almost simultaneously, Meritxell Soler and Johannes Motschmann broke away from their final rivals and secured well-deserved victories.

The women’s race maintained some suspense until the final kilometer. Spanish runner Meritxell Soler crossed the finish line just 8 seconds ahead of Hungary’s Nóra Szabó. However, Szabó managed to complete a full set of podium finishes in this year’s EuroHeroes series—winning in Karlovy Vary and placing third in České Budějovice. Soler, the 2022 Spanish champion, won in Olomouc with a time of 1:11:53, which is the fifth-fastest performance in the event’s history.

In the men’s race, the winning time was even more remarkable. Germany’s Johannes Motschmann, a successful competitor at major European championships in both the 3000-meter steeplechase and the marathon, ultimately couldn’t sustain a pace for a course record (1:02:12).

Nevertheless, he finished with a dominant lead of over one minute, clocking 1:03:29—the fourth-fastest time in Olomouc Half Marathon history.

Meritxell Soler – Photo: RunCzech

Around 11,000 runners actively took part in the Mattoni Running Festival Olomouc 2025 events. Of those, 7,100 were registered for the main half marathon race.

Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc 2025 – MEN:

Johannes Motschmann (GER) – 1:03:29

Dorian Boulvin (BEL) – 1:04:33

Khalid Choukoud (NED) – 1:04:37

Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc 2025 – WOMEN:

Meritxell Soler (ESP) – 1:11:53

Nóra Szabó (HUN) – 1:12:02

Mariia Mazurenko (UKR) – 1:12:09

RACE RESULTS WOMEN

RACE RESULTS MEN

HIGHLIGHTS

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