The South African became the first male runner in the history of
the event to achieve three victories. While he clearly missed his own
course record of 2:08:32 his time of 2:11:27
should be enough to clinch a place in the Olympic marathon in Rio this
summer. Kenyans Martin Kosgey and Moses Masai followed in second and
third place with 2:11:54 and 2:15:43
respectively. In partly windy but otherwise fine conditions Edinah
Kwambai of Kenya won the women’s race with a personal best of 2:29:17 from Germany’s Anna Hahner who clocked 2:30:35. Salome Biwott (Kenya) was third in 2:30:47.
Including races at shorter distances the 26th HAJ Hannover Marathon had
a record entry of more than 21,000 runners. The event is an IAAF Silver
Label Road Race.
For a large part of the race the men’s leading group was on course for a sub 2:09
time. And after the half marathon split time of 64:26 it seemed that
the course record could be attacked with a slightly quicker second half.
However things changed. At 25 k Kosgey and April were still running
behind two pacemakers. But soon after that the pacemakers dropped out
and April was on his own at 27 k with Kosgey not being able to hold on.
The two-time winner was 13 seconds ahead at 30 k (1:31:37).
While Kenya’s Philipp Sanga, who was the fastest runner on the start list with a time of 2:06:07,
had to cancel his start at the last moment due to visa problems the
other runners were not strong enough to challenge Lusapho April.
„The
conditions were not ideal due to the wind. Additionally I hoped that
the leading group would stay together a bit longer and that the
pacemakers would be in there longer as well,“ said Lusapho April. „But
obviously I am very happy to have won a third time in Hannover. The
atmosphere was great, so I hope to be able to return next year.“ Now his
focus will turn to the Olympics. Four years ago April was unlucky in
London’s Olympic marathon, when he fell and limped over the finish line
in 43rd place. „It is my goal to achieve a top ten finish in Rio,“ said
April.
Edinah Kwambai ran in the leading group of five runners
from the start. They passed 10 k in 34:22 and then half way in 72:52.
With this split time the leaders were well on course for the course
record of 2:27:07.
But similar to the men’s race the pace dropped during the second half.
Soon after the 30 k mark Kwambai took the lead while Salome Biwott,
fellow-Kenyan Nancy Koech and Tizita Dida of Ethiopia struggled. This
led to Anna Hahner coming through from sixth at half way, where she was
almost a minute behind, to second. „I am happy with my performance. It
was a great race for me, but unfortunately it was a bit windy,“ said
Edinah Kwambai, who had a personal record of 2:29:35 from 2013 before the HAJ Marathon Hannover.
Results, men:
1. Lusapho April RSA 2:11:27
2. Martin Kosgey KEN 2:11:54
3. Moses Masai KEN 2:15:43
4. Jean Habarurema FRA 2:16:33
5. Abraham Niyonkuru BDI 2:16:33
Women:
1. Edinah Kwambai KEN 2:29:17
2. Anna Hahner GER 2:30:35
3. Salome Biwott KEN 2:30:47
4. Nancy Koech KEN 2:31:16
5. Vaida Zusinaite LTU 2:32:50
6. Lisa Hahner GER 2:34:56
More information about the HAJ Marathon Hannover is available at: www.marathon-hannover.de
Photo Credit: HAJ Hannover Marathon / Norbert
Wilhelmi