Ulrike Maisch wins inaugural edition of ASICS Grand 10 Berlin – European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS

Germany's reigning European Marathon Champion Ulrike Maisch won the inaugural edition of the ASICS Grand 10 Berlin on Sunday in 34:53.

Kenyan Simon Kasimili won the men's race, but 2007 10,000m European Cup winner André Pollmächer (GER) battled hard in the second half of the race to finish second in a season's best 28:48.  Pollmächer was returning from a variety of injuries that had put him out of commission for more than a year, so was happy with his podium performance in the German capital,

"I think I have done well today and I am on the right track now for more."

Pollmächer is now expected to concentrate on his final preparations for his Marathon debut in Frankfurt on the 26th October.
Maisch's main competition in the women's race was her compatriot Julia Viellehner.  Viellehner took the lead early in the race, leaving Maisch behind, but the European Marathon Champion, who has suffered various injury and health problems after Gothenburg 2006, caught Viellehner at the half way mark, then took the lead after 6km.

Viellehner held on to her second place finish, crossing the line in 36:05, while a below par Claudia Dreher took third with a distant 37:54.

"I had hoped for a faster time, but still I am not unhappy with my performance. And it is nice to win this inaugural edition of the ASICS Grand 10 Berlin. There was a lot of support along the course," said Ulrike Maisch, who tends to do some cross country races before preparing for her spring marathon.

Olympic Champion Dieter Baumann was one of a number of prominent athletes who competed in Berlin this Sunday.

"10km is a great distance for runners. I believe that this race will develop fine in the coming years," said Dieter Baumann, who jogged along the course together with a group of fun runners, finishing in 48:40 minutes. "I will definitely be back next year – but then I will be running for real!"

The ideal weather conditions this weekend brought 5,363 runners out in force to compete at the 10km race, which included a 2x5km relay as well. More than 50,000 spectators lined the course which led runners through the city centre and the Berlin Zoo.

European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS