© Haspa Marathon Hamburg
Hamburg Marathon 2026: Othmane El Goumri and Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech take control
On Hamburg’s famously fast course, Morocco’s Othmane El Goumri (2:04:24) and Kenya’s Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech (2:17:05) stamped their authority with complete control. Two composed performances from start to finish, two standout wins in an edition once again defined by depth. Behind them, positions were decided by seconds in a race that leaves no room for approximation.
While attention may have drifted elsewhere in the marathon world that weekend, Hamburg stuck to a familiar script. Fast early pace, a tightly packed lead group, then gradual selection until only the strongest remain. This year followed that pattern—but at a tempo that quickly turned the race into a test of endurance. Othmane El Goumri read it perfectly. Always well positioned, never overreaching, he let the pace do the damage before taking full control.
Morocco’s first-ever win in Hamburg came through clinical race management. A final time of 2:04:24—third fastest in the event’s history. “My goal was to win the race. I would have liked to go a bit faster, but I’m happy with the Moroccan record,” El Goumri said after crossing the line. At 33, he improves on his previous national mark of 2:05:12, set in Barcelona three years ago.
Behind him, Germany’s Samuel Fitwi held on as long as possible. He only faded in the closing kilometres, finishing second in 2:04:45 after giving everything. A performance that confirms his rise to another level. Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai completed the podium in 2:04:56, in a finish where every second mattered. The depth was striking: just over a minute separated third and tenth place. Names like Hunde Lechisa, Taresa Tolosa, Mohamed Reda El Aaraby and Ablelom Kesete followed in quick succession, all running at blistering pace. On a course like this, there’s nowhere to hide.
| Kipkoech in control, Coste breaks into the top 10
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech quickly took charge. No dramatic surge, just relentless consistency that gradually wore down the field. She crossed the line in 2:17:05, setting a new course record with a commanding win. Fellow Kenyan Rebbeca Tanui tried to stay in contact but was slowly dropped, finishing second in 2:18:25 after chasing throughout. Ethiopia’s Kasanesh Ayenew secured third in 2:19:39 with a steady, controlled race.
Further down the standings, Kenyan and Ethiopian dominance remained clear, with a few European breakthroughs. Germany’s Tabea Themann cracked the top 10 thanks to a smart race and strong home support. France’s Manon Coste also made her mark, finishing 10th in 2:33:02—an efficient performance in a highly competitive field.
| Half marathon: a different rhythm, same intensity
The half marathon offered a different dynamic—less compact, more spread out—but just as competitive. Switzerland’s Jonas Gubeli took control early to win in 1:08:09, building his lead progressively. Germany’s Job Daniel Damo (1:10:15) and Jakob Heess (1:13:12) completed the podium but never managed to close the gap. The men’s race featured a strong German presence in the top 10, with gaps forming relatively early.
In the women’s race, local runner Viktoria Semlinger claimed victory in 1:19:39 after a well-executed race. Compatriots Klara Popp (1:19:54) and Elina Gradl (1:20:39) stayed close but couldn’t overturn the order.
At the finish, organisers had every reason to be satisfied. With 46,000 participants across all distances, including 20,000 registered for the marathon, Hamburg reached a new milestone. Around 16,000 runners started the marathon, and nearly 15,500 finished—an impressive completion rate to match the high-level performances.
✔ Full results of the 2026 Hamburg Marathon
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
