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MARATHON

IN PICTURES: 2018 Copenhagen Marathon

9,000 runners spent Sunday morning hauling their legs through a distance of 42.2 kilometres around the Danish capital as Copenhagen hosted its annual marathon.

Published: 13 May 2018 18:29 CEST
IN PICTURES: 2018 Copenhagen Marathon
A runner is given hydration on the finishing line. Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

In warm spring temperatures, streets around the city were full of brightly-kitted runners and enthusiastic supporters after the starting gun went off at 9:30am.


Runners travel under the Langebro bridge near the start and finish area at Islands Brygge. Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

Although the total number of participants was slightly lower than in 2017, the event’s organisers said they were happy with how the race had gone.

“It’s a tad lower than last year. But it’s a good and high number, and we are pleased with it,” Dorte Vibjerg, director of organisers Sparta, told broadcaster DR.


Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

The number of runners peaked at 12,000 in 2010 and has since plateaued at around 10,000, Vibjerg said, adding that many Danish runners now opt to try their luck in the classic 42km events, including in Berlin and London.

“We are currently in the process of a major development strategy that will bring us up to an international level that will enable us to compete with the London Marathon, Berlin Marathon and other city marathons,” she added.

 

A post shared by Oskar Wahlen (@oskarwahlen) on May 13, 2018 at 9:31am PDT

The route of the Telenor Copenhagen Marathon takes in several of the city’s districts, including the Inner City, Østerbro, Vesterbro and Nørrebro. Given the topography of the Danish capital, the course is relatively flat, giving runners of all abilities a good chance of breaking their own personal records.


Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

Kenyan William Nyarondia Morwabe won the men’s event with an astonishingly quick time of 2:11:16, a new record for the course.


Morwabe crosses the line. Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

The women’s event was won by Ethiopian Shasho Insermu who led throughout to finish in 2:32:18, Ritzau reports, some way short of the current record of 2:30:51.


Insermu, winner of the women's event. Photo: Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix

The men’s and women’s world record for the marathon are 2:02:57 and 2:15:25 respectively.

READ ALSO: Freak weather cuts short Copenhagen half marathon

MARATHON

Berlin marathon cancelled for 2020 over coronavirus

The organisers of the Berlin Marathon said Wednesday that they have cancelled the race for 2020 due to problems finding an alternative date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published: 24 June 2020 17:11 CEST
Berlin marathon cancelled for 2020 over coronavirus
Berlin marathon runners in 2019. Photo: DPA

The race was initially postponed from April to September 27th, but organisers have now cancelled this year's event, which attracted 62,000 runners in 2019, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to the weather conditions alone and shortening days, it's very difficult to hold the Berlin Marathon… before the end of this year,” said race director Jürgen Jock.

“The question of whether athletes will be able to travel internationally again by then cannot be answered now.” 

Organisers added: “Your health, as well as all of our health, is our first priority.

“Therefore, taking into account the Containment Measures Ordinance due to the COVID-19 pandemic… the Berlin Marathon 2020 will not be able to take place.”

The city of Berlin has banned events with more than 5,000 participants since April.

The flat, fast course around Berlin's city centre is where Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya set the men's world marathon record of 2hr 01min 39sec in 2018.

It was the eighth time in the previous 20 years that the men's world record has fallen on the streets of Berlin.

Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 over the marathon distance in Vienna last October, but the time is not recognised as a world record as the event was not an open competition.

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