Kenyan debutant Nehemiah Kipyegon and Ethiopian newcomer Asmare Assefa triumphed at the 38th GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, overcoming tough weather conditions. Kipyegon, 26, dominated the race, clocking an impressive 2:10:02 despite the wind and rain in the latter stages. Without pacemakers, he led from the start and recorded the fourth-fastest winning time in the event's history. Kipyegon finished over five minutes ahead of second-place Ethiopian Siyum Tola, who completed his debut marathon in 2:15:29. Kenya’s Benard Chumba finished third in 2:19:00.
In her European debut, 26-year-old Asmare Assefa of Ethiopia won the women’s race with a personal best of 2:29:44, marking the second-fastest time in the marathon’s history. Kenyan Shamilah Kipsiror followed in second with 2:34:01, while Ethiopia’s Gelane Senbete secured third place with a time of 2:35:44.
The event saw a record-breaking turnout, with nearly 28,000 participants from 120 countries across all distances, including 6,250 marathon runners.
Race Director Gernot Weigl praised the event, emphasizing its international significance and its substantial economic impact on Munich, estimated at around twelve million euros.
Kipyegon, fresh off a half marathon personal best of 60:34 in Copenhagen, surged into the lead early and reached the halfway mark in 64:13. At this point, only Tola and Kenya’s William Kibor remained close, but Kibor dropped back after struggling with muscle issues, finishing in 2:26:13. Kipyegon’s sub-3:00 splits between 24 and 26 kilometers left Tola behind. "He wasn't helping with pacing, so I decided to push ahead," Kipyegon said. "This is my biggest win so far, and I believe I can run times around 2:05 in the future."
The women’s race saw four runners pass the 10k mark in 34:54, with Kipsiror doing much of the pacing. Ethiopians Gelane Senbete and Gadise Negasa dropped off, leaving Assefa to trail Kipsiror. After reaching the half marathon in 73:34, Assefa overtook Kipsiror with less than 10 kilometers remaining. Kipsiror, exhausted, collapsed after crossing the finish line and required medical attention.
“I stayed behind Shamilah for most of the race, but it became harder when the rain intensified around 27 kilometers,” Assefa said. “I believe I could have run three minutes faster in better conditions, and I’d love to return to Munich next year.”
More details about the event can be found at www.generalimuenchenmarathon.de.
TOP RESULTS WOMEN MARATHON
Pos | Name | NAT | Time | Net Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | ASSEFA Asmare Beyene | ETH | (2:29:44) | 2:29:44 |
2. | KIPSIROR Shamilah Tekaa | KEN | (2:34:01) | 2:34:01 |
3. | SENBETE Gelane Bulbula | ETH | (2:35:44) | 2:35:44 |
4. | BERGMANN Ruth | GER | (2:51:42) | 2:51:40 |
5. | NEGASA Gadise Gudisa | ETH | (2:54:07) | 2:54:07 |
6. | FREUDENREICH Meike | GER | (2:57:52) | 2:57:49 |
7. | MOSER Theresa | GER | (2:59:11) | 2:59:07 |
8. | GEISTDÖRFER Margarita | GER | (3:00:07) | 2:59:58 |
9. | REU Marisa | GER | (3:00:42) | 3:00:32 |
TO RESULTS MEN MARATHON
Pos | Name | NAT | Time | Net Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | KIPYEGON Nehemiah | KEN | (2:10:02) | 2:10:02 |
2. | TOLA Siyum Diriba | ETH | (2:15:29) | 2:15:29 |
3. | CHUMBA Benard Kipsang | KEN | (2:19:00) | 2:19:00 |
4. | KIBOR William | KEN | (2:26:13) | 2:26:13 |
5. | BIRECH Cosmas | KEN | (2:32:21) | 2:32:21 |
6. | PERLETH Sven | GER | (2:32:39) | 2:32:37 |
7. | BRAND Nils | GER | (2:36:19) | 2:36:17 |
8. | LANGNER Niko | GER | (2:36:26) | 2:36:23 |
9. | HEGEL Julian | GER | (2:37:14) | 2:37:11 |
10. | STADELMANN Dominik | GER | (2:37:35) | 2:37:33 |