Kenyan Bernard Muia Katui won the 37th Munich Marathon. Sebastian Hendel crossed the finish line in fifth place. Compatriot Catherine Cherotich won the women’s event. However, a misdirection on the route caused confusion.
Curious scenes accompanied the Munich Marathon. The top group of men probably ran around 100 meters too much, the women’s group turned around too early and had to do two extra laps in the Olympic Stadium. Race director Gernot Weigl promised that the race should be analyzed by Monday. “I can’t blame anyone.”
Kenyan quartet in front of Hendel
The Kenyan Bernard Muia Katui won the Munich Marathon in 2:09:21 hours. Second place went to Benson Nzioki (+0.04 min), third was Mika Cheserek (0.09). Sebastian Hendel crossed the finish line in the Olympic Stadium in fifth place, just under a minute behind.
Leading group going strong
Hendel, who finished fourth last year, was still on course for a podium finish at halftime in the leading group of Kenyans David and Mica Cheserek, Amos Kiptoo Birgen, Kibet Cheruiyot and Benson Nzioki. At kilometer 21.1 the clock showed 1:04:30 hours.
But then Hendel had to let go easily. At kilometer 30 he was 0.10 minutes behind the leader. When sprinting across Munich’s Marienplatz, the 27-year-old appeared slightly injured. The move to the front seemed to have left as Kenyans Bernard Mula Katui and Nzioki picked up the pace. Mica Cheserek and Cosmas Kiplimo finished third and fourth. Hendel had to bite in fifth place to stay there.
Hendel missed his target best time
In the last few meters, Bernard Muia Katui was able to outpace the first 20-year-old Benson Nzioki (+0.04 min). On his marathon debut, he ran a brilliant race behind the winner. Mica Cheserek (+0.09) came third, Cosmas Kiplimo (+0.50) just missed the podium like Sebastian Hendel (+0.57).
The 27-year-old from LG Braunschweig remained below his previous best time. Hendel also missed his goal of running the route in under 2:10 hours. “You are measured by high goals,” he said, a little disappointed. However, they misdirected the route, said Hendel. “We ran 100 meters too much.” The pacemakers tried to gain the seconds, but in the end it took their revenge.
Strange race for women
The women also made a serious mistake early on. Not only the leading Kenyans Catherine Cherotich and compatriot Tecla Chebet had turned around too early on Ludwigsstrasse shortly before Odeonsplatz. The consequences: A fair solution had to be found so that the best times of the top athletes could also be counted for the marathon course. “The leading group will run two more laps in the stadium to get to the 42.195 kilometers. Why they turned off so early is still being analyzed,” explained race director Gernot Weigel.
At kilometer 21.1 Cherotich and Chebet were clearly ahead with a time of 1:1:21 hours. They now had information about the mishap and that they had to run the missing route in the Olympic Stadium. After 30 kilometers, Cherotich was still just ahead of Chebet (+0.10 minutes), but continued to expand his lead.
After two special laps in the Olympic Stadium, Catherine Cherotich was able to celebrate exhausted after 2:31:34 hours. Teclah Chebet (2:32:13) finished second, Flomena Chepkiach Ngurasia (2:33:17) came third.
Start and finish in the Olympic Stadium
The start and finish of the 37th edition of the Munich Marathon are in the Olympic Stadium. On the 42.195 kilometers through the Bavarian capital, the runners passed numerous sights and historical places.
Munich Marathon 2023 live on BR television and in the stream
BR24Sport will broadcast the running classic live on BR television and in the stream on October 8th. Right in the middle this time: BR24 sports reporter Sina-Felicitas Wende, who reports on the preparation in her diary every two weeks: She wants to complete a marathon for the first time.
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Source: Blickpunkt Sport October 8th, 2023 – 8:55 a.m
