RUNNING GERMANY – HAMBURG – 28th Haspa Marathon Hamburg on 21th of April 2013! The Organizer’s Statements on the Attacks in Boston

Event

By GRR 0

We are deeply saddened and shocked by the events at the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims’ families and the injured participants and spectators. It is a sad day for the sport and for all Marathon runners.

We are currently in close contact with government authorities, who will investigate the necessity of taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. The event will, in any case, take place as planned this coming weekend.

The favourites and elite athletes

With Netsanet Abeyo’s new course record of 2:24:12 hours, everyone is curious to know, which female runner will be the first finisher at this year’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg, and if the old record will be upgraded.

Taking the personal best as a basis, Ukrainian Kateryna Stetsenko is the top favorite. Running 2:27:51 hours in Dublin in 2010, Stetsenko ran about a minute faster than her competitors. Moreover she has a huge experience in marathon competition. Her coach is Igor Osmak, who is also coaching german top athlete, Irina Mikitenko.

A real secret favorite is Lisa Hahner. The 23-year old German pushed forward into the international elite in the last years. Her current personal best is 2:31:28 hours and she might outgrow due to altitude training in Kenia and the commonly known fanatic audience in Hamburg. She would be the first german winner since Sonja Oberem in 2002.

Another favorite is Diana Lobacevske. She is the only one, in addition to Kateryna Stetsenko, who has a best time below 2:30h. Malika Asahssah (Morocco, PB: 2:30:23), Caroline Chepkwony (Kenia, PB: 2:30:34), Magdalena Syombua Mukunzi (Kenia, PB: 2:30:46), Almaz Alemu (Ethiopia, PB: 2:31:27) and Yulia Andreeva (Kyrgyzstan, PB: 2:30:58) can also be counted to the circle of favorites.

The world record of legendary Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25h in 2003) is out of reach, but a high-class and an exciting race can be expected. The yardstick is high, considering all the other European marathons: Feyse Tadese (Ethiopia) won the Paris marathon in 2:21:05 hours and set a new course record. Kenyan Jemima Jelagat won the Rotterdam marathon in 2:23:37 yesterday.

A special highlight of this year’s Haspa Hamburg Marathon is the Lauf Team Haspa Hamburg Marathon’s women relay team. The twins Diana and Elina Sujew and Jana and Kim Elisa Sussmann are starting this year. This worldwide unique relay team intends to outperform a lot of male relay teams and is looking forward to the enthusiasm of the audience.

Haspa Marathon Hamburg Organisers

Haspa Marathon Hamburg

The favourites and elite athletes

author: GRR