Bernard Koech returns to Hamburg with eyes on course record

“Although I broke the course record last year I believe that I can still run faster in Hamburg."

These are the sentiments of defending champion and course record holder Bernard Koech who returns for the 38th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on 28 April looking to ho quicker than his record. 

The 36-year-old Kenyan, who improved the course record to 2:04:09 last year, will face very strong opponents in Germany event. 

Top of that list is compatriot, World half marathon bronze medalist Samwel Mailu and Ethiopia’s Abdisa Tola, both who produced breakthrough performances in 2023. 

In Martin Musau there will be another former winner of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg returning to the race. The Ugandan was the winner in 2021 but finished in seventh place last year. 

“After two-course records in a row, we can look forward to another high-quality men’s race. Koech, Mailu, and Tola are all capable of running world-class times on the fast course. We are happy that these three have chosen Hamburg for their spring marathon," said chief organizer Frank Thaleiser.

It is never too late

“I am looking forward to returning to Hamburg. Last year’s victory was a perfect comeback performance for me because I had problems for some time and there were the Corona lockdowns as well," Koech, who tied his two-year-old personal best of 2:04:09 last year in Hamburg, told the organizers. 

However, after achieving his biggest career victory in that race the Kenyan was unlucky when he ran the Amsterdam Marathon as an injury forced him to drop out of the race.

Looking ahead to his Hamburg return Koech said he believes has what it takes to break his record. 

A fast pace should suit Mailu, who wants to improve his personal best. The Kenyan newcomer stormed to a sensational course record of 2:05:08 despite warm weather conditions at the Vienna Marathon last year.

Later that year he produced another exceptional performance. Added to the Kenyan team at very short notice Mailu took the bronze medal at the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, Latvia.

“I chose Hamburg for my spring marathon because of the fast course. Hopefully, I can improve my current 2:05 personal best to 2:04,” said Mailu.

23-year-old Ethiopian Abdisa will be another top contender. The younger brother of Tamirat Tola, the World Marathon Champion from 2021 and current New York Marathon winner, ran a stunning marathon debut a year ago: Abdisa won the competitive Dubai Marathon in 2:05:42.