Editor’s Notes: It ADAC Hannover Marathon held on April 13, 2026. Thanks to our media partners Race Services, a media team focusing on German road races and Middle East events (Dubai Marathon and RAK Half Marathon), we have the following coverage.
ADAC MARATHON HANOVER.
Domenica Mayer runs Europe’s best time and breaks the course record
Germany Domenica Mayer produced to take imperative performance ADAC Marathon Hannover with a course record time of 2:21:26 and also won the national championship. Smashing her PB of 2:23:16, she moved up to second in Germany and eleventh on the European all-time list. It’s the second fastest by a European woman this year. In addition, Domenica Mayer became the first athlete to win the Hanover race four times. Germany Fabien Koenigstein was second in 2:24:31, while Almaz Negede Ethiopia finished third in 2:30:25.
of Kenya Love Thomas Kibbett Won the men’s race in a personal best of 2:07:53 after some late drama. Godwin Katakura of Zimbabwe and Asnak Dubre of Ethiopia finished second and third in 2:08:46 and 2:10:22 respectively. Tom Turley finished sixth and won the German title with a time of 2:11:02.
A record number of over 6,000 marathon runners registered The 34th edition of the ADAC Marathon Hannover. With the addition of the shorter event races held over the weekend, the total entry was almost 34,000.
The expected fight between Domenica Mayer and Fabien Koenigstein, who had only a short time to prepare due to injury, did not happen. Domenica Mayer took the lead from the start and the gap behind her continued to grow. With a half marathon split of 70:31, the 35-year-old was almost a minute ahead of Fabien Koenigstein (71:25), who was running his first race since a PB of 2:22:17 in Berlin last September. In the closing stages, Koenigstein slowed down and lost further positions. “Considering the short preparation time, I am satisfied with my race. After the injury I had no problems at all, which is great. Domenica was very strong today,” said Fabien Koenigstein, who is now targeting the European Marathon Championships in Birmingham this August.
“I’m really happy. The pace was a bit too fast in the early stages and you pay for it towards the end,” said Domenica Mayer, who lost some time in the final kilometers. But in 2:21:26 he bettered his personal best by almost two minutes and, in his fourth victory in Hanover after victories in 2022, 2024 and 2025, beat the record he set two years ago (2:23:50) by almost two and a half minutes. He now ranks second on the 2026 European list. In Germany, only national record holder Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19) is ahead of her. The 2:20 barrier could be Domenica Mayer’s next target. “There is more to come. I have my sights set on that mark. I’m always trying to run faster and see what’s possible. After all, my time is limited. I’m not 25 anymore,” Domenica Mayer said.
There was a dramatic late turn in the men’s race for victory. After running alone at the front for most of the race, Godwin Katakura slowed dramatically with a few kilometers to go. Maru Thomas Kibet closed a significant gap, took the lead from Katakura with less than two kilometers to go and went on to celebrate his biggest career win. “I didn’t expect to win and was already satisfied with second place. This is a big PB for me. I want to run 2:03 in the future,” said Maru Thomas Kibet, who entered the race with a personal best of 2:13:48. Second placed Katakura also improved his PB by a few minutes.
After Johannes Motschmann pulled out around 25k with a groin problem, the path to the national title was clear for Tom Turley. The 32-year-old semi-pro clocked a personal best of 2:11:02. “I was hoping it might turn out like this, but the marathon is long, you never know what can happen. I’m really happy,” said Tom Turley, who improved his PB by 17 seconds. “My goal is sub 2:10:00. If I was given the chance to play for Germany at the European Championships this summer, I would obviously take it.”
Results:,
Men.
1. Maru Thomas Kibet KEN 2:07:53
2. Godwin Katakura ZIM 2:08:46
3. Asnake Dubre ETH 2:10:22
4. Christopher Kitetu KEN 2:10:45
5. Archie Casteel SWE 2:10:56
6. Tom Turley GER 2:11:02
Women.
1. Domenica Mayer GER 2:21:26
2. Fabienne Königstein GER 2:24:31
3. Almaz Negede ETH 2:30:25
4. Cecilia Waiua KEN 2:30:3
5. Katarina Saatoff GER 2:30:51
6. Mercy Kipkemoy KEN 2:31:48
More information about the ADAC Marathon Hannover is available at: www.marathon-hannover.de
