In only his third marathon, Samuel Fitwi runs the second fastest time ever run by a German. This means the 28-year-old is also qualified for the Olympics in Paris.
It is the coup of German athletics in the still young year of 2024: 2:06:27 hours Samuel Fitwi Sibhatu from the Silvesterlauf Trier club needed last Sunday in Dubai for the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers. In only his third marathon competition ever, the 28-year-old ran the second fastest time ever run by a German.
Eternal best list: The fastest German marathon runners
1. Amanal Petros 2:04:58 (2023 / Berlin)
2. Samuel Fitwi 2:06:27 (2024 / Dubai)
3. Richard Ringer 2:07:04 (2023 / Valencia)
4. Filimon Abraham 2:08:21 (2023 / Barcelona)
5. Haftom Welday 2:08:23 (2023 / Valencia)
6. Arne Gabius 2:08:33 (2015 / Frankfurt am Main)
7. Jörg Peter 2:08:47 (1988 / Tokyo)
8. Hendrik Pfeiffer 2:08:48 (2023 / Berlin)
9. Michael Heilmann 2:09:03 (1985 / Hiroshima)
10. Christoph Herle 2:09:23 (1985 / London)
Olympic ticket in only the third marathon
Fitwi not only improved his previous personal best time by more than two minutes, but he also confidently beat the international Olympic standard of 2:08:10 hours. In an interview with SWR Sport, the runner describes the marathon in Dubai as his “greatest success to date” and qualifying for the Olympics in Paris is “a dream come true” for him. Fitwi is one of three German runners who achieved the standard. Since Germany has three starting places in Paris, it is very likely that the 28-year-old will start.
From refugee to multiple German champion
When you look at his history, his achievements become even more impressive. Samuel Fitwi was born in Eritrea and came to Germany as a refugee nine years ago. He only went to school in Eritrea; his talent was only discovered in Germany at LG Vulkaneifel. Within a very short time he was able to establish himself in the German elite of long-distance running and became multiple German champion in cross-country running.
Fitwi initially started on the track over 5,000 and 10,000 meters. His greatest success over these distances: a 9th place at the European Championships in Munich 2022 in the 10,000 meter race. The 28-year-old says self-critically: “I lack speed on these routes.” But since he has very good endurance, Fitwi decided to take part in the marathon.
Maratoni for eleven months – still room for improvement?
Fitwi made his competitive debut over 42.195 kilometers in February 2023. He needed 2:12:13 hours for the marathon in Seville and ran a Rhineland-Palatinate record in his first race. In September he improved this time significantly at the Berlin Marathon (2:08:28 hours), but missed the Olympic standard by just 18 seconds. The fact that Fitwi was able to improve significantly in his third competition is extremely remarkable. It is quite possible that the athlete from the New Year’s Eve Run in Trier will improve his performance again before the games in Paris.
For his result at the competition in Dubai, Fitwi was warmly received by friends, supporters and sponsors on Thursday (January 11th) in Daun (Vulkaneifel district). In the Vulkaneifel everyone is happy with Samuel Fitwi and the runner feels comfortable there. The people in the region have supported him and he wants to “give something back” with his achievements.
“Being able to wear black, red and gold at the Olympics is a dream”
Samuel Fitwi is proud that he will most likely represent his home region of Vulkaneifel and Germany at the Olympic Games. “Wearing the black, red and gold jersey with the five rings would be fantastic,” says the 28-year-old. It’s already his story: Samuel Fitwi – from refugee to top athlete.
Broadcast on Thursday, January 11, 2024, 7:30 p.m., SWR Aktuell Rhineland-Palatinate, SWR RP
