The 40th Haspa Marathon Hamburg was a spectacular celebration of running, with more than 46,000 registrations for this special anniversary edition. Alongside outstanding elite performances – including Othmane El Goumri’s victory in the men’s race, Brillian Kipkoech’s new course record and Samuel Fitwi’s impressive second-place finish – it was above all the many personal stories on and off the course that made the event so memorable.

The official Finisher Magazine brings you 174 pages filled with the best photos, exciting stories and emotional moments from the marathon weekend – so make sure to check it out!

Following the relay entries, the half marathon distance of the 41st Haspa Marathon Hamburg on April 25, 2027 is now officially sold out as well.

We are thrilled about the continued huge interest: All 10,000 entries sold out in just 10 days. Together with the already sold-out relay entries, this once again highlights the incredible enthusiasm for our event.

Thank you so much for your support — we’ll see you in Hamburg on April 25, 2027!

We’re overwhelmed: The relay entries for the 41st Haspa Marathon Hamburg on April 25, 2027 sold out faster than ever before!

Registration opened today at 10:00 a.m., and just 3 hours later all 1,500 relay teams were gone. That means 6,000 runners will take on the marathon course through Hamburg together in teams of four.

Thank you for this incredible interest and your enthusiasm!
We’re already looking forward to seeing you at the starting line on April 25, 2027.

Brillian Kipkoech crowned the 40th Haspa Marathon Hamburg with an unexpected course record of 2:17:05, smashing her personal best by almost seven minutes. Fellow-Kenyan Rebecca Tanui was second with 2:18:25 and Ethiopia’s Kasanesh Ayenew took third in 2:19:39. Othmane El Goumri became the first Moroccan winner in the history of the event when he broke his own national record. In perfect weather conditions he clocked 2:04:24 while Germany’s runner-up Samuel Fitwi achieved a rare national podium position in the men’s race. He improved his PB to 2:04:45. It was back in 1999 when a German male runner last achieved a top three position in Hamburg: Carsten Eich was second 27 years ago. Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai finished third with 2:04:56. 

A record number of 20,000 marathon runners registered for the 40th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. Adding other running events staged during the weekend organisers accepted a record-total of 46,000 athletes.

After a relatively slow start with a 5k split time of 15:00 the pace in the men’s race picked up significantly. A very large group of around 20 runners stayed together deep into the race. They first passed the half marathon mark in 62:04 and then reached 30k in 1:28:35. More than 20 runners were on course for a finishing time of under 2:05:00 at that point. It was not to be the day of two-time Hamburg winner Bernard Koech though. The Kenyan suffered of hamstring problems, lost contact to the leading group and eventually finished 15th in 2:08:10. 

After an initial surge by Ethiopia’s Hunde Lechisa around seven kilometres from the finish, Othmane El Goumri, Samuel Fitwi and Kennedy Kimutai closed the gap and passed Lechisa who had to settle for fourth place. El Goumri then pulled decisively away around two kilometres from the finish while Samuel Fitwi won the battle for second place. The fact that ten athletes ran under 2:06:00 showed the great depth of the race.

“My goal was to win the race. I actually wanted to run a bit faster and tried to push the pace a couple of times. But I am delighted with the Moroccan record,” said 33 year-old Othmane El Goumri, who ran his previous national record of 2:05:12 three years ago in Barcelona. 

Samuel Fitwi produced what was probably the best race of his career so far. “It was perfect. I am very happy that I achieved my goals: a podium finish and a personal best. The course is really very fast and the atmosphere was brilliant,” said the 30 year-old German, who previously had a personal best of 2:04:56 and improved this by eleven seconds. With his new PB he is third in the European season’s list. While Samuel Fitwi remains the second-fastest German marathon runner of all time, Aaron Bienenfeld’s debut time of 2:08:47 in 16th place saw him move into a shared tenth position in the national all-time list. He also became Germany’s fastest marathon debutant, improving the 2:09:32 by Arne Gabuis from Frankfurt in 2014. “It did go really well for me and I have reached all my goals – but I also know what to improve next time,“ said  Aaron Bienenfeld.

In the women’s race a leading group of six runners initially formed. Similar to the men the women also picked up the pace. When Kenyan runners Brillian Kipkoech, Rebecca Tanui and Marion Kibor passed the half marathon mark in 68:42 they had already dropped their Ethiopian rivals. Shortly afterwards Brillian Kipkoech, who had entered the race with a personal best of 2:23:56, broke away and then significantly extended her lead. “I never thought I could break the course record. My goal was to beat my personal best by a significant margin,” said 31 year-old winner Brillian Kipkoech. With her winning time of 2:17:05 she improved the four-year-old course record held by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:17:23) by 18 seconds. With this time Kipkoech, who trains in Kapsabet and belongs to the group of new marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe coached by Claudio Berardelli, is currently the seventh fastest marathon runner in the world this year. 

The fastest German woman in Hamburg was Tabea Themann who finished eighth with 2:30:32.

Results, Men:

1. Othmane El Goumri MAR 2:04:24
2. Samuel Fitwi GER 2:04:45
3. Kennedy Kimutai KEN 2:04:56
4. Hunde Lechisa ETH 2:05:01
5. Taresa Tolosa ETH 2:05:17
6. Mohamed El Aaraby MAR 2:05:18
7. Ablelom Kesete ERI 2:05:21
8. Belay Tilahun ETH 2:05:22
9. Tsedat Abeje ETH 2:05:47
10. Balew Yihunle ETH 2:05:57

Women:

1. Brillian Kipkoech KEN 2:17:05
2. Rebecca Tanui KEN 2:18:25
3. Kasanesh Ayenew ETH 2:19:39
4. Marion Kibor KEN 2:21:12
5. Lomi Muleta ETH 2:24:39
6. Selamawit Teferi ISR 2:26:58
7. Aselef Amare ETH 2:28:47
8. Tabea Themann GER 2:30:32
9. Tsiyon Abebe ETH 2:32:37
10. Manon Coste FRA 2:33:02

Kenyan duo Bernard Koech and Rebecca Tanui want to make the jubilee edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg a very fast one this Sunday. The two runners are leading the start list of the 40th edition of Germany’s biggest and fastest spring marathon with personal bests of 2:04:09 and 2:21:06 respectively. While Koech hopes to break 2:04 and win the race for a third time Tanui intends to run sub 2:20:00 on the fast course. Germany’s Samuel Fitwi carries national hopes in Hamburg and aims to achieve a rare podium finish.

Organisers of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg have registered record numbers for their jubilee race. 20,000 runners have entered the race over the classic distance. Adding athletes who compete a shorter events during the weekend the entry total is around 45,000. 

“It was a real challenge this time to put together the elite fields – mainly because of visa problems. Unfortunately we lost some top women recently. It looked like we would have a world-class field some weeks ago, but we still have a superb line-up,“ said Chief Organiser Frank Thaleiser. “I expect another thrilling race with fast times.“ 

Men’s Race: Koech wants to make it three out of three

In contrast to the women’s field the men’s line-up was not affected by major withdrawals. Twelve runners feature personal bests of sub 2:07:00 which shows the strong depth of the field. “I am very much looking forward to competing in Hamburg again,” said Bernard Koech, who has run the Haspa Marathon Hamburg twice and won on both occasions. In 2023 he triumphed with a course record and tied his personal record of 2:04:09. This remains his PB until today. A year later Bernard Koech defended his title. “I have trained well and have been running up to 200 kilometres per week. My goal is to win in Hamburg for the third time,” said the 38-year-old, who still feels in top form even after many years as an elite athlete: “Marathon is very much about experience. I may be 38, but that is just a number,” said Bernard Koech, who will try to break his PB in Hamburg. The pacemakers are expected to run the first half in 62:00.

Kennedy Kimutai, a training partner and friend of Bernard Koech, was a late addition to Hamburg’s elite field. This may well be helpful for Koech with regard achieving a fast time. The 26-year-old, who holds a personal best of 2:05:27 and has already clocked a world-class time of 58:28 in the half marathon, was actually due to run the Boston Marathon last Monday. However due to visa issues he could not travel to the US and will now be competing in Hamburg. “Bernard has won here twice, which is why I was interested to run in Hamburg too. We will certainly support each other,” said Kennedy Kimutai, who has recently been in good form. In early March he won the Paris Half Marathon.

Former German marathon record holder Samuel Fitwi has a PB of 2:04:56 and is number three on the start list. “I have been training well in Addis Ababa since the beginning of January,“ said Samuel Fitwi, who will go with the leading group on Sunday. „My goal is to run a PB or at least a 2:05 time. I hope to achieve a podium finish as well.“ The last time a German runner finished among the top three men in Hamburg was back in 1999, when Carsten Eich was runner-up. Former German record holder Jörg Peter won the race in 1990 and 1991. 

Besides Koech and Kimutai there are at least three more athletes who will compete for podium places with Samuel Fitwi: Israel’s Gashau Ayale (PB: 2:04:53), Othmane El Goumri of Morocco (2:05:12) and Ethiopia’s Abdisa Tola (2:05:42), the brother of Olympic Champion Tamirat Tola. 

Women’s Race: Six athletes have PBs of sub 2:24:00

While there is no woman on the start list who has a personal best of sub 2:20:00 such a time will be the target on Sunday. Six athletes have personal bests of sub 2:24:00. Rebecca Tanui heads the list with a PB of 2:21:08. The Kenyan made no secret about what she wants to achieve on Sunday: “I want to win and run a personal best,” said the 33-year-old during the press conference in Hamburg. Rebecca Tanui has recently shown exceptional consistency in the marathon. She won three of her five races – Venice in 2023, Košice in 2024 and Mersin, Turkey, last December – and also finished third (2024) and second (2025) in Vienna. “I intend to break 2:20:00 for the first time and I am optimistic that I can do it,” said Rebecca Tanui.

Marion Kibor returns to Hamburg with fond memories. It was here three years ago where the Kenyan ran her current PB: She was fifth with 2:22:35. “I hope I can run another personal best in Hamburg on Sunday,” said the 31-year-old. “I plan to run with the leading group and will try to achieve a time under 2:20:00. I know that the course is fast.“ Ethiopians Kasanesh Baze and Muluhabt Tsega, who have PBs of 2:22:06 and 2:22:21 respectively, are likely to challenge the Kenyans

Elite Runners with Personal Bests

MEN:

Bernard Koech KEN 2:04:09
Gashau Ayale         ISR 2:04:53
Samuel Fitwi         GER 2:04:56
Othmane El Goumri MAR 2:05:12
Kennedy Kimutai KEN 2:05:25
Abdisa Tola ETH 2:05:42
Tsedat Ayana ETH 2:06:18
Balew Yihunle         ETH 2:06:22
Felix Kibitok KEN 2:06:28
Shumi Dechasa BRN 2:06:43
Mohamed El Aaraby MAR 2:06:45
Belay Bezabeh ETH 2:06:58
Taresa Tolosa         ETH 2:07:01
Vincent Nyageo KEN Debut
Aaron Bienenfeld GER Debut

WOMEN:

Rebecca Tanui KEN 2:21:08
Kasanesh Baze ETH 2:22:06
Muluhabt Tsega ETH 2:22:21
Marion Kibor KEN 2:22:35
Brillian Kipkoech KEN 2:23:56
Mercy Kwambai KEN 2:23:58
Manon Coste         FRA 2:32:46
Vibeke Jensen         NOR 2:34:22
Aselef Amare ETH Debut
Selamawit Teferi ETH Debut

Bernard Koech, the two-time winner of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, his training partner Kennedy Kimutai, as well as fellow Kenyans Rebecca Tanui and Marion Kibor, are among the top favorites for the 40th anniversary race of Germany’s biggest spring marathon this Sunday. The strong Kenyan quartet, introduced today at a press conference at Hamburg’s Intercity Hotel, is prepared for a fast race.

“I’m very happy to be able to start again in Hamburg,” said Bernard Koech, who has competed twice in the Haspa Marathon Hamburg and won both races. In 2023, he triumphed with a course record, setting his still-current personal best of 2:04:09. A year later, he successfully defended his title. “I’ve trained well and ran up to 200 kilometers per week. My goal is to win in Hamburg for the third time on Sunday,” said the 38-year-old, who still feels in top shape even after many years as an elite athlete: “Experience plays a big role in the marathon. I may be 38, but that’s just a number,” said Koech, who aims to attack his personal best on Sunday. The pacemakers are expected to cover the first half of the race in 62:00 minutes.

With Kennedy Kimutai, a training partner and friend of Bernard Koech has joined the Hamburg elite field at short notice, which will likely make the pace chase a bit easier for Koech on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who has a personal best of 2:05:27 and has already achieved a world-class half marathon time of 58:28, was originally scheduled to run the Boston Marathon last Monday. However, due to visa issues, he will now compete in Hamburg. “Bernard has won here twice, so I also wanted to run in Hamburg. We will certainly support each other,” said Kimutai, who has recently been in strong form, winning the Paris Half Marathon at the beginning of March.

Rebecca Tanui approaches the Haspa Marathon Hamburg with clear goals: “I want to win and set a personal best,” said the 33-year-old Kenyan, whose personal record stands at 2:21:08. Tanui has shown remarkable consistency in the marathon recently. She has won three of her five races—Venice in 2023, Košice in 2024, and Mersin (Turkey) last December—and also finished third (2024) and second (2025) in Vienna. “I would like to run under 2:20:00 for the first time in Hamburg and I’m optimistic that it will work,” she said.

Marion Kibor returns to Hamburg with fond memories. It was here that the Kenyan delivered her best marathon performance to date three years ago: she finished fifth and ran her current personal best of 2:22:35. “I hope I can run another personal best in Hamburg on Sunday,” said the 31-year-old. “I plan to stay with the leading group and will try to achieve a time under 2:20:00. I know the course is fast.”

Your Personal Running Highlight in Pictures

Once again this year, the Sportograf team will be at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg 2026 as the official photo service, ready to capture your special moments along the course.

After the event, you can order your personal photo package with all your pictures and the best impressions from the race directly at sportograf.com — and relive your marathon experience all over again.

Check out your photos after the event

The elite field for the Haspa Marathon Hamburg 2026 has been finalized and promises a top-class race in this anniversary year.

The men’s field is led by Bernard Koech, who already triumphed in Hamburg in 2023 and 2024 and will once again line up at the start. Samuel Fitwi, one of Germany’s strongest marathon runners, is also among the contenders. Another highly anticipated moment is the debut of Aaron Bienenfeld, who will compete in the Hamburg classic for the first time.

In the women’s field, Rebbeca Tanui brings international experience—having already won marathons in Venice and Vienna. There will also be a reunion with Marion Kibor, who finished fifth at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg in 2023 and is now returning to the Hanseatic city. In the graphics below, we present the first eight elite athletes in detail.

At the 40th Haspa Marathon Hamburg, we once again want to make a clear statement: sport should be accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they can afford expensive equipment or not. Anyone who wants to stay active should have the opportunity to do so. For this reason, we are once again organizing a donation drive on site in cooperation with the non-profit organization Hanseatic Help.

Hanseatic Help e.V. has been helping refugees, homeless people, low-income families, children in homes, and social centers in Hamburg with clothing donations for ten years – including sportswear, which is always needed. We invite all participants to bring sports clothes and running shoes that are still in good condition but no longer needed, and donate them to those in need. Donation boxes from Hanseatic Help will be available at the bib number pickup, where you can drop off your items.

As a special highlight, Hanseatic Help will be running their own relay team this year to celebrate their 10th anniversary!