Domenika Mayer Smashes Course Record with 2:21:26 to Dominate Hannover Marathon

Germany’s Domenika Mayer delivered a historic and commanding performance at the ADAC Marathon Hannover, storming to victory in a course record of 2:21:26 to secure both the race title and the national championship. The 35-year-old shattered her previous personal best by nearly two minutes, rising to second on the German all-time list and eleventh in European history, while also claiming her fourth career win in Hannover. In a race that lacked the anticipated head-to-head battle, Mayer controlled proceedings from the gun, underlining her status as one of Europe’s leading marathoners this season.

Kenya’s Maru Thomas Kibet won the men’s race with a personal best of 2:07:53 after some late drama. Godwin Katakura of Zimbabwe and Ethiopian Asnake Dubre took second and third with 2:08:46 and 2:10:22 respectively. Tom Thurley finished sixth and won the German title with 2:11:02.

A record number of more than 6,000 marathon runners registered for the 34th edition of the ADAC Marathon Hannover. Adding races at shorter events staged during the weekend the entry total was almost 34,000.

Women's Race

The anticipated duel between Domenika Mayer and Fabienne Königstein, who had a relatively short period to prepare due to an injury, did never materialize. Right from the start Domenika Mayer took the lead and the gap behind her kept growing. With a half marathon split of 70:31 the 35 year-old was almost a minute ahead of Fabienne Königstein (71:25), who was running her first race since her 2:22:17 PB in Berlin last September. In the final stages Königstein slowed and lost further ground. “Given the short preparation time I am happy with my race. I did not have any problems at all after the injury – that is great. Domenika was very strong today,” said Fabienne Königstein, who now targets the European Championships’ marathon in Birmingham this August.

“I am really happy. The pace was a bit too fast in the early stages and you pay for that towards the end,” said Domenika Mayer, who lost some time in the final kilometres. But with 2:21:26 she improved her personal best by almost two minutes and, in her fourth victory in Hanover following wins in 2022, 2024 and 2025, beat the course record she set two years ago (2:23:50) by almost two and a half minutes. She now ranks second in the European list for 2026. In Germany only national record holder Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19) is ahead of her. The 2:20 barrier could be the next target for Domenika Mayer. “There is still more to come. I have got my sights set on that mark. I am always trying to run faster and see what is possible. After all my time is limited – I am not 25 anymore,” said Domenika Mayer.

Men's Race

In the men’s race there was a dramatic late twist in the battle for victory. After running alone at the front for most of the race Godwin Katakura slowed dramatically with a few kilometres to go. Maru Thomas Kibet closed a significant gap, took the lead from Katakura with little over two kilometres left and went on to celebrate his biggest career win. “I did not expect to win and had already settled for the runner-up position. This is a huge PB for me. In the future, I want to run 2:03,” said Maru Thomas Kibet, who entered the race with a personal best of 2:13:48. Second-placed Katakura also improved his PB by several minutes.

After Johannes Motschmann dropped out at around 25 k due to groin problems the path to the national title was clear for Tom Thurley. The 32 year-old semi-professional clocked a personal best of 2:11:02. “I had hoped it might work out this way – but a marathon is long, you never know what might happen. I am really happy,” said Tom Thurley, who improved his PB by 17 seconds. “My goal is to run a time under 2:10:00. If I were given the chance to compete for the German team at the European Championships this summer, I would obviously take it.”

TOP RESULTS MEN'S MARATHON

TOP RESULTS WOMEN'S MARATHON

SEE ALL RESULTS HERE.