The German athlete will make his London marathon debut as he prepares to assert his nationwide document again
Amanal Petros is able to take a shot at reclaiming his place in German athletics historical past as he traces up for the London Marathon this Sunday (April 27). With robust latest type, the 29-year-old has his sights set on breaking the German nationwide marathon document – an accolade he as soon as held however misplaced final yr.
Petros, a PUMA athlete, initially made historical past in 2023 when he stormed by to clock 2:04:58 on the Berlin Marathon, setting a nationwide document over 26.2 miles. Nevertheless, his document was short-lived. Later that yr, Samuel Fitwi Sibhatu shaved off two essential seconds on the Valencia Marathon, operating 2:04:56 and overtaking Petros within the German document books.
Now, Petros returns to the worldwide stage in London, poised to take again the title. And if his newest efficiency is any indication, he is greater than prepared. Earlier this month in Berlin, he shattered the one-hour mark within the half marathon – a primary for a German runner – by slicing his private better of 60:09 right down to a blistering 59:31.
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That efficiency earned him a third-place end behind Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida, who gained in 58:43. Petros’ new time now ranks him fourth on the European all-time listing, simply behind Julien Wanders (59:13), Andreas Almgren (59:23), and Yeman Crippa (59:26) – with Crippa additionally anticipated to compete in London.
Petros has confirmed his resilience time and time once more. Even on the European Championships in Rome final yr, he managed to safe a bronze medal within the half-marathon, regardless of rolling his ankle within the race’s closing stretch.
He’ll be a part of an elite males’s subject in London that boasts a number of main contenders, together with former world record-holder Eliud Kipchoge, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, and triathlete Alex Yee from Nice Britain. The race is ready to start out at 9:35am.
How are you feeling forward of the London Marathon?
Very nicely. I’ve simply arrived from Kenya as a result of I’ve been coaching there for nearly 5 months, going forwards and backwards. I am tremendous glad to be right here and I am actually excited. It is my second main marathon. The primary main marathon I did was in Berlin in 2023 the place I broke the German document.
How have your coaching preparations been going?
It is particular to arrange for this type of competitors in Kenya due to the main focus and focus that’s over there. I even have my very own coaching group who I’ve educated with many instances, and I even practice at dwelling in Germany generally.
It isn’t straightforward to discover a coaching group as a result of every part, together with the main focus and the focus, shouldn’t be straightforward. That is why it is the best choice to coach in Kenya due to the coaching, consuming, sleeping and tomorrow is at all times the identical. It is like a village, it is the house of athletes and I prefer it that approach.
Why did you resolve to do the London Marathon?
I’ve been operating more often than not, even at small competitions. However now I’m concentrating on the excessive degree, which is a significant marathon with robust athletes.
London is likely one of the largest main marathons, in addition to Berlin and New York. So it was my dream. I hadn’t initially deliberate to run on Sunday however certainly one of my desires is to run in all the main marathons.
I am tremendous glad to symbolize my nation, Germany, too. I hope I’ll come away with a optimistic end result on Sunday as a result of after I ran the half-marathon in Berlin everyone seems to be now excited and they’re ready for me to convey again my German document and that makes me a bit nervous however I am assured.
I’ll run for the primary time with the brand new PUMA FAST-R Nitro Elite 3 sneakers, which I’ve been testing for a lot of instances over the past three months. I am tremendous excited to make use of the sneakers on Sunday. That is why it is one thing particular to me.
Will you be seeking to break the German marathon document?
After all. I am in higher form than the final two years. The half-marathon in Berlin was very nice and I’ve labored laborious for the final 4 or 5 months. I imagine in God so I’ve the arrogance and that is one of many vital issues.
How did it really feel to run 59:31 in Berlin?
To be sincere, it was very particular to me. I used to be very, very fortunate. It had been laborious work for the final 4 months and I had been attempting to run that quick in three half-marathons nevertheless it was not profitable. I used to be upset and I used to be a bit unhappy however I did not quit.
I simply saved going, I trusted my sponsor, I trusted my firm. I additionally trusted myself. The way in which I labored laborious was one of many vital issues. That is why I simply saved going and tried once more in Berlin.
Although it was very near London, I nonetheless have the self-confidence for London. I do know I am in fine condition, so I’ll make it, that is why I got here with the identical motivation to London.
Why did you resolve to signal with PUMA in the beginning of they yr?
Earlier than I signed with PUMA, I used to be attempting their merchandise for a lot of months. They have been all tremendous comfy, particularly the sneakers. It was actually thrilling.
PUMA is an organization which grows in a short time which is why I used to be additionally very excited. I prefer to work with an organization and with a product, particularly in the event that they at all times have one thing new they usually develop in a short time. That is why I am an individual who tries new issues and grows with it.
Are you in a unique form this yr in comparison with final yr?
My form is completely completely different, even my physique. I really feel a bit completely different as a result of I’ve modified one thing in my coaching plan, by the best way I eat and the timings. There may be a number of issues which I’ve modified they usually’ve modified me too, as a optimistic factor. That is why I can at all times push and at all times keep optimistic with very full confidence.
How did it really feel to win bronze on the European Athletics Championships final yr?
I at all times work laborious to get a medal and it was not straightforward. I had an accident within the final 100m and it was tremendous painful, however I simply saved going as a result of I could not cease. However I remembered how laborious I had labored. Working shouldn’t be straightforward, so that you lose a number of focus, a number of vitality and motivation when one thing like that occurs. It makes you robust, so you must preserve going and preventing till the tip.
That is precisely what I did in Rome. I used to be glad to win third place and a bronze medal. That wasn’t all, we additionally gained a medal for the German nationwide group and that was a vital factor.
