How it was: ING Luxembourg Night Marathon
The ING Luxembourg Night Marathon is a major sporting event that attracts thousands of participants. In a country where more than 100 different nationalities are represented, it is a truly impressive experience. For a newcomer, it can feel like the Olympic Games.
Registration for the marathon opened on 19 April. There were so many applicants that by the deadline of 2 May, the organizers had assembled an impressive pool of candidates for the title of the fastest and toughest runner.
The ING Night Marathon consisted of 7 disciplines. In addition to the standard marathon and half-marathon, there were also children's races, team races, and a special discipline for people with disabilities.
The importance of running
Luxembourg is not just a country of banks, financial centers, money and wealth. It is also a country with a rich history, beautiful landscapes and its own culture.
This is what the race participants were able to experience, albeit within the confines of the capital. The routes were structured to capture as many of Luxembourg's landmarks as possible, alternating between classic urbanism, river landscapes and urban areas. Neudorf, Gare, Kirchberg, Hollerich, Limpertsberg — everywhere the streets were alive that night.
The ING Night Marathon in Luxembourg also supports charities that raise money to help people in countries in crisis. Each participant was able to donate a few euros in addition to their entry fee. The Care, SOS VILLAGES D'ENFANTS MONDE, ONGD FNEL and Unity Foundation
Winners and runners-up
Although the ING Night Marathon is not an official sporting event, the winners are still rewarded. Car traffic in the city has been blocked for at least one reason!
Marathon, Men
In the 42-kilometer race, the leaders were immediately identified. They were James Kiplagat, Erick Kiptoo and Abida Ezamzami. Fun fact: their starting numbers are 1300, 1301, and 1302, respectively. The runners ran the first 10 kilometers and half of the distance almost evenly. However, in the last stretch, Erick Kiptoo took the lead and finished first. The final result looks like this:
- Erick Kiptoo, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 14 seconds.
- James Kiplagat, 2 hours, 14 minutes and 40 seconds.
- Abida Ezamami finished third but with a considerable distance: 2 hours, 23 minutes and 4 seconds
Marathon, Women
In the women's race, the competition was more intense. In the first 10 kilometers, there were two Luxembourgers in the top five: Shefi Xhaferaj and Karin Schank in third place. However, after the 21st kilometer, the situation changed. Karin Schank left 4th place to German woman Pia Von Keutz. Closer to the finish line Pia beat Shefi Xhaferaj too.
- Mercy Jebicii Kipkemoi, 2 hours, 37 minutes and 20 seconds.
- Flomena Ngurasia, 2 hours, 42 minutes and 37 seconds.
- Pia Von Keutz, 3 hours, 6 minutes and 31 seconds.
Half-marathon
On the shorter distances, the Luxembourgers did better. Yonas Kinde won the men's half marathon with 3 minutes advantage over his rivals. The Belgian Tommy Kinders came in second, while Italian Riccardo Marchesi came in third.
Annie Wolter of Luxembourg took the clear lead in the women's race. Just before the finish, she lost 11 seconds to Tetyana Vernygor from Ukraine. Third place went to Camille Bucciarelli born in France.
