Hamburg Marathon: Amos Kipruto Smashes Course Record, Workenesh Edesa Holds Off Brigid Kosgei

Sunday, 27 April 2025

Amos Kipruto stormed to victory at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, setting a sensational course record of 2:03:46 — the first sub-2:04 time in the race’s history. Philemon Kiplimo pushed him all the way, clocking 2:04:01, also under the previous mark of 2:04:09. Erick Sang completed a dominant all-Kenyan podium with 2:04:30. South Africa’s Elroy Gelant followed in fourth with a national record of 2:05:36, while Germany’s Richard Ringer finished seventh as the fastest European in 2:07:23.

View the 2025 Haspa Marathon Hamburg Results

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa delivered a world-class performance, winning in 2:17:55 — the second-fastest time ever recorded in Hamburg. Kenya’s former world record holder Brigid Kosgei was close behind in 2:18:26, and Sichala Kumeshi placed third with 2:19:53. For the first time in Hamburg, three women broke the 2:20 barrier. Norway’s Karoline Grovdal, however, was forced to drop out before the 30k mark on her marathon debut.

With both winning times, the 39th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg became the fastest in its history. "We are, of course, very happy with the course record and the three sub-2:20 times. These are stunning results. We've now seen course records in 2022, 2023, and 2025," said Race Director Frank Thaleiser. About 15,000 runners lined up for Germany’s biggest spring marathon, with weekend events across other distances pushing total entries past 38,000 — a new record.

Men’s Race Recap

A large lead pack set a relentless pace early, hitting 10k in 29:20 and reaching halfway in 61:47 — well under record pace. After 30k (1:28:09), the front group splintered. Kipruto and Kiplimo, close friends and roommates for the weekend, broke away alongside Erick Sang and Felix Kibitok. Kibitok dropped back quickly; Sang lost touch shortly after 35k.

"Philemon and I supported each other — that was the plan," said Kipruto, who then surged clear of Kiplimo in the closing kilometers. "The Hamburg Marathon is fantastic, and the spectators gave me great motivation. I'll definitely be back next year," said the 32-year-old, who owns a PB of 2:03:13 and has now gone under 2:04 for the third time in his career.

Meanwhile, Richard Ringer went out faster than planned, reaching 10k in 29:39 — on pace for a 2:05:10 finish. "A few of us got a bit carried away because of the perfect conditions," Ringer admitted. He hit halfway in 63:03 but slowed over the second half, still posting the third-fastest marathon of his career at 2:07:23 — also the fastest ever by a German in Hamburg.

Women’s Race Recap

Early on, five women ran aggressively, targeting the course record of 2:17:23 set by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2022. After halfway in 68:39, Brigid Kosgei, Sichala Kumeshi, and Workenesh Edesa formed the leading trio. Kumeshi began to fade before 25k, and around 35k, Edesa made her decisive move.

The Ethiopian, who entered with a personal best of 2:18:51, kept her rhythm controlled early to conserve energy. "I deliberately didn't go too fast at the start," Edesa said. "From 30k onwards, I knew I was going to win." She shaved nearly a minute off her PB, finishing strong in 2:17:55.

Karoline Grovdal’s debut ended in disappointment. The reigning European half marathon champion was on pace to challenge Ingrid Kristiansen’s Norwegian record (2:21:06) but struggled with blisters from early shoe issues and dropped out before reaching 30k.