Stefan Koch (2:20:34 h) and Bernadette Pichlmaier (2:38:44 h) take German Marathon titles 2009

May 10, 2009

The 10th Mainz Marathon included the German Marathon Championships 2009 and due to the absence of 2008 champions Martin Beckmann and Susanne Hahn new National Champions were crowned.

Results are here.

Mens race:

After two national titles over the halfmarathon distance, the 24-year old Stefan Koch reached his aim of securing the title over the full distance. “With the performance in general I’m satisfied, with the time not at all. After 15K I already felt that I get problems and after 25K I really had to fight.” he stated. Koch ran a PB of 2:15:38h in last years Berlin marathon and wanted to go for this PB in Mainz but conditions were a bit warm and the course is not the fastest. Anyway, with his time from Berlin he is a hot candidate for the German marathon team for the World Championships 2009.

Silver went to Peter Rodewald, who ran a tactical intelligent race. He improved his PB around 1 minute to 2:23:16h.He stated: “Most important was to secure the medal and not to take too many risks. With more opponents a better time would have been possible.” Bronce medal was taken by David Karl in 2:23:59h.

Womens race:

Bernadette Pichlmaier, last years bronce medallist in the marathon championships took the leading position from the start and was pretty much unchallenged. On mothers day the 40-year old mother of 2 kids reached her aim of going into the top three and running close to her PB of 2:38:00. Her finishing time of 2:38:44h was 3 minutes fast than the time for second place finisher Julia Viellehner.

In her marathon debut the 23-year old Viellehner ran a brave race and stated that the marathon was “exhausting but nice”. Bronce went to Birgitt Bohn, who ran a negative split of (1:21:17+1:20:49=2:42:06). Romy Spitzmüller faded towards the end of the race after being in 2nd place shortly after halfway. The hopes for the qualification for the world championships team were not fulfilled as she came home in 4th place with a rather disappointing 2:43:02.