“The conditions will be ideal, nothing stands in the way of a spectacular event.” Organizer Andreas Berger, the former top sprinter, looks at the weather report with great anticipation for the fourth edition of the Traunsee Half Marathon, which will start today at 7:08 p.m. in Ebensee. 22 to 26 degrees, no precipitation, maximum light wind – heart, what more do you want?
The top favorite for the title of “Run into the Sunset” is Lemawork Ketema, who tackled the 2021 Olympic marathon in Tokyo. A hamstring injury stopped the 36-year-old back then, but this time he is 100 percent fit and willing to complete the 21.0975-kilometer route in under 1:03 hours.
With this personal best – Ketema’s “high” is 1:03:57 from 2018 in Valencia – the course record of 1:10:40 would be literally pulverized.
At this event in the Salzkammergut with more than 1,400 active participants, two pacemakers are supposed to inspire the two-time state champion, who is fighting for valuable world ranking points in the fight for a starting place at the European Championships in Munich (15th to 21st August). “It’s not every day to have an Olympic participant at the start,” emphasized Traunsee Half Marathon Sports Director Christian Pflügl.
The supporting program with midsummer bonfires, barbecues and live music along the route is also impressive.
Source: Nachrichten
