This is the history of the Half Marathon of Gutenburg Mainz 2025 in Mainz, Germany. The story is from Race News Services and Photos by Norbert Wilhelmi.
Gutenberg Mainz Half Marathon
James Kipkurui and Esther Chemtai strong courses records in Mainz
Strong courses records were established in the Gutenberg Mainz Half Marathon: the debutant James Kipkurui was the surprise winner with 60:50 and Kennyan’s partner Esther Chemtai Tok, the women’s race with 68:52. With these results, the race confirmed its position as the current second half marathon in Germany behind Berlin. The organizers registered 8,500 tickets for the Half Marathon. Add events to shorter distances The total was 13,700 athletes.
After a few very fast initial kilometers, when the leading group was ongoing for an hour of end of an hour, the rhythm calmed down. A group of six men reached 10k point at 28:35, which aimed around 60:20. Surprisingly, he was the 23 -year -old debutant James Kipkurui, who separated from the group before the 15K brand. In good climatic condition, the Kenyan extended his leadership. The newcomer, who was an international unknown, improved the course record in eleven seconds at 60:50 and achieved the first result under 61:00 in Mainz. “This victory is a surprise for me. My next goal is to improve my time to around 59 minutes,” said James Kipkurui, which comes from the widest area of Eldoret (Eldama Belief). The 3000 m 1992 Olympic champion Matthew Birir is part of his training team in Kenya.
The head of the German marathon record, Samuel Fitwi (2:04:56), moved from third to second duration of the last two kilometers and crossed the line as second place with 61:22, losing its best personal moment in just five seconds. “I am happy with the second place, Althegh could not run Sub 61 today. The course is really good and the atmosphere was fantastic,” said Samuel Fitwi. Joshua Kenya Kenya was third with 61:24.
In the women’s race, three athletes reached the 10K mark in 32:36, which was 68:45 rhythm. Esther Chemtai, co-star partner Kago, who ran the debut of half of the marathon, and Hanne Verbruggen of Belgium formed the main trio, while Domenika Mayer of Germany begged to lose contact in this section of the race. Shortly after, the two Kenyans also dropped Hanne Verbruggen. Running behind Rency Kogo for the moment Esther Chemtai and then advanced with two kilometers for the end. Winning at 68:52 was almost a minute faster than the previous record of the 69:46 course. Behind the Rency Kogo Tok, 31, with 69:04 and Hanne Verbruggen continued in third place at 69:43. This was a great better better time for the Belgian who broke 70 minutes for the first time.
“It was only my second half of the marathon and my first time less than 70 minutes. Now I would like to improve around 67:00. I will run a marathon in the future, but first I want to be faster in the half marathon,” said Esther Chemobi. In 2010 he was the bronze medalist in the World Cross Country championship.
The fourth place Domenika Mayer was the fourth woman to register once below 70:00 in Mainz on Sunday. With 69:56, the German ran his second half faster and his PB was lost for only ten seconds. “But this was not my day. From the beginning, I could never find any rhythm. At some stage I not only hoped to finish,” Domenika Mayer said.
Results, men:
1. James Kipkurui Ken 60:50
2. Samuel Fitwi Ger 61:22
3. Joshua Kithuku Ken 61:24
4. Nickson Koogei Ken 62:15
5. Calistus Kitoo Ken 62:19
Women:
1. Esther Chemtai Ken 68:52
2. RENCY KOGO KEN 69:04
3. Hanne Verbruggen Call 69:43
4. Domenika Mayer Ger 69:56
5. Rita Jelagat Ken 71:44
More information is available online in: www.halbmarkon-mainz.de
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT: The attached photos, which show the winners, can only be used together with this press release and with the following credit: Norbert Wilhelmi
