There was a moment of high drama yesterday as the lead group in the men’s race at the METRO Marathon Düsseldorf were led off-course at 8k.
Despite being in the group which ended up covering a whole extra kilometre on their detour Gilbert Yegon still took the win in 2.13.55. Richard Mutai, also in the unfortunate group which covered a ‘bonus km’, finished 2nd in 2.14.08. Tom Gröschel was an unexpected winner of the German men's title on his marathon debut. He finished third overall in 2:15:20, overhauling Sebastian Reinwand with 1.5 k remaining.
In the women’s race, which stayed on course, Volha Mazuronak from Belarus won in 2.25.25, dominating the race throughout. Mazuronak previously finished 5th in the 2016 Olympic Marathon. The German runner Fabienne Amrhein was a surprise second place, improving her best to 2:32:35. Her personal best was inside the team qualifying time for the European Championships in Berlin this summer. The Kenyan Rose Maru finished third in 2:33:55 with last year's women's champion Doroteia Peixoto Alves of Portugal fourth in 2:35:15.
The 16th edition of the METRO Marathon Düsseldorf had a total of 16,000 runners registered for all its events with 3,700 on the start line for the Marathon.
Results
Men:
1. Gilbert Yegon KEN 2:13:55
2. Richard Mutai KEN 2:14:08
3. Tom Gröschel GER 2:15:20
4. Sebastian Reinwand GER 2:15:27
5. Marcus Schöfisch GER 2:15:59
Women:
1. Volha Mazuronak BLR 2:25:25
2. Fabienne Amrhein GER 2:32:35
3. Rose Maru KEN 2:33:55
4. Doroteia Peixoto Alves POR 2:35:15
5. Fadime Suna Celik TUR 2:36:21
