After last year’s podium success, the Germans are eyeing the European half marathon mark, while a strong British contingent continues to build on the marathon.
On Sunday (March 29), the home crowd will be focused on Amanal Petros as he goes in search of the European record at the 45th edition of the Generali Berlin Half Marathon.
The Eritrean-born 30-year-old, who competes for Germany after winning marathon silver at last summer’s World Championships, is finalizing his preparations for next month’s TCS London Marathon and is eyeing Sweden’s Andreas Almgren’s continental mark of 58:41.
If he succeeded, it would be a huge leap forward. He became the first German to break the half-marathon time in Berlin last year, setting a national record of 59:31, crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in third place.
Petros is seventh on a start list headed by Kenya’s Michael Temoi, who won the Ostia Half Marathon in Rome on March 1 in a course record of 58:00 and a personal best, although the course is not a record.
His compatriots Eric Kiptanui (58:42) and Gedeon Kiprotic (58:49) will also be in the fray, while Switzerland’s Dominique Lobalu (59:22) adds to the European challenge.
The men’s race will feature a strong contingent of British athletes, many of whom are also preparing for the London Marathon. Of that group, Jake Smith has the fastest personal best in the half marathon (60:31), followed by Ben Connor (60:55), Mark Scott (61:00) and Phil Sezman (61:22).
Ethiopia’s Likina Amebau, winner of last year’s Copenhagen half-marathon, heads the women’s start list with a personal best of 64:44 and can look to beat the Berlin course record of 63:35 set last year by Fautien Tesfaye.
Kenya’s Veronica Loleo, whose best time of 65:46 was third in Valencia last October, is also among the favourites, while her 23-year-old compatriot Deisila Gerono is third in 66:59.
Britain’s Sam Harrison is fourth fastest on the list in 67:10 as he heads into the event where Eilish McColgan set a national record of 65:43 back in 2023.
Joining Harrison on the starting line are fellow Brits Lily Partridge (69:34), Lauren McNeil (69:38) and Natasha Phillips (70:18).
Complete starter lists here
