Robi Leads Hannover Marathon Elite Field as Königstein and Mayer Renew German Title Duel
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown at the 2026 ADAC Marathon Hannover, where a deep international men’s field led by Deribe Robi collides with a high-stakes all-German duel in the women’s race between Fabienne Königstein and three-time champion Domenika Mayer. With Robi arriving as the fastest man in the field and eyeing a rare Ethiopian victory on Hannover’s famously flat course, and Königstein and Mayer renewing their rivalry—this time with the German national title on the line—the 34th edition promises both speed and drama. Backed by record participation numbers and a growing global profile, Hannover is primed to deliver one of the standout marathon races of the spring.
A record total of almost 34,000 athletes have entered the 34th edition of the ADAC Marathon Hannover. It is the first time that organisers registered more than 33,000 entries for their event. While this figure includes races at shorter distances staged parallel during the weekend there are more than 6,000 marathon runners, which is a record as well. The ADAC Marathon Hannover is a World Athletics Label Race and includes the German Championships. “We are thrilled with the unprecedented surge of entries. I am especially happy with the strong development of the marathon. Step by step we intend to grow further,“ said Race Director Stefanie Eichel.
Deribe Robi’s personal record of 2:05:58 is seven seconds faster than Hannover’s course record set by Germany’s Amanal Petros two years ago (2:06:05). While the Ethopian was not able to achieve times near to his PB for a while he did produce solid performances. Robi was the winner of the Venice Marathon in October with 2:08:58 and then ran ten seconds faster at the Dubai Marathon in earlier this year. A highly experienced marathon runner Robi never competed at any other distance internationally.
Mohcin Outalha of Morocco and Unganda’s Ben Somikwo might challenge Deribe Robi. They have personal bests of 2:06:49 and 2:08:03 respectively. Archie Casteel of Sweden is the fastest European athlete on the start list with a PB of 2:10:06. After the late withdrawal of Filimon Abraham (PB: 2:08:11) because of an injury Johannes Motschmann is now the firm favourite in the race for the national title. He has a PB of 2:10:39. Tom Thurley, who improved significantly to 2:11:19 in Frankfurt in October, could produce a surprise.
It could well be the women who produce the standout performance on Sunday. If weather conditions are suitable Domenika Mayer targets a personal best. “I am looking forward to running in Hannover again. It could become quite a thrilling race. My main goal is to improve my PB,“ said Domenika Mayer, who returns to her favourite spring marathon. The 35 year-old has already won the ADAC Marathon Hannover three times. She surprised with a debut win here in 2022 and then took successive titles in 2024 and 2025.
While Domenika Mayer was in fine form recently and ran a half marathon PB of 68:08 in Barcelona this February it was very different for Fabienne Königstein. Injury hampered her preparations and the ADAC Marathon Hannover will actually be her first race since running a huge 2:22:17 PB in Berlin last September. “After Berlin I was injured for some time, but I managed to be ready for Hannover. I don’t expect to run as fast as in Berlin but my form is not bad,“ said the 33 year-old. Laura Hottenrott is another German top runner. She has a PB of 2:24:32 from 2023. While a national victory looks very likely two African runners could do well: Ethiopia’s Almaz Negede has a PB of 2:27:14 and Peris Jerono of Kenya has run 2:28:27. Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Toth is the fastest non-German European entrant with 2:28:15.
Elite Field
Men
- Deribe Robi (ETH) – 2:05:58
- Mohcin Outalha (MAR) – 2:06:49
- Ben Somikwo (UGA) – 2:08:03
- Archie Casteel (SWE) – 2:10:06
- Johannes Motschmann (GER) – 2:10:39
- Godwin Katakura (ZIM) – 2:11:02
- Tom Thurley (GER) – 2:11:19
- Erik Hille (GER) – 2:12:06
- Hlynur Andrésson (ISL) – 2:13:17
Women
- Fabienne Königstein (GER) – 2:22:17
- Domenika Mayer (GER) – 2:23:16
- Laura Hottenrott (GER) – 2:24:32
- Almaz Negede (ETH) – 2:27:14
- Lili Anna Vindics-Toth (HUN) – 2:28:15
- Peris Jerono (KEN) – 2:28:27
- Thea Heim (GER) – 2:33:20
- Lisa Huwatscheck (GER) – 2:33:23
