Nick Jäger suffers in the finish, is overtaken - and wins a medal

On the last kilometer “I suffered a lot,” reported Nick Jäger.

The TSV Penzberg track and field athlete was still able to enjoy the DM in road running because he won a medal.

Penzberg / Uelzen - Nick Jäger was definitely happy about the DM bronze. But one detail made him think: "I'm very satisfied with the time and the placement, but the last kilometer prevented an even better result," said the TSV Penzberg athlete after his appearance at the German championship in the 10-kilometer road race in Uelzen (Lower Saxony). With a time of 30:03 minutes, the 22-year-old biology student took third place in the U23 class. So he ran an average of 19.97 km / h.

Up to one kilometer from the finish, Jäger was silver and was on course for a time of less than 30 minutes.

“The last kilometer was really tough for me.

I really suffered there, ”reported the Penzberger.

He was not only overtaken by a few men, but also by U23 athlete Till Grommisch (TVL Germania Überruhr).

In the last 50 meters, Grommisch passed Jäger, who was at the end of his strength.

Nick Jäger crosses the finish line after 30:03 minutes

In the first three rounds, the Penzberger, who was already at the start at the EM this year, was at the end of the second group. At this point in time, the later men’s medal winners led by Nils Voigt (gold / 278: 46), Samuel Fitwi (silver / 28: 52) and Richard Ringer (28:54) had separated. In the chasing group "I was able to run very well in the slipstream and just rolled along," said Jäger. In doing so, however, he also had to close one or the other gap forwards.

On the two-kilometer circuit through the Hanseatic city of Uelzen, he stayed in contact with the group until eight kilometers.

Only the last round should bring the decision in the U23 age group.

The eventual winner Velten Schneider (VfL Sindelfingen) managed to pull away - he crossed the finish line after 29:41 minutes.

Jäger would also have liked to have had such a 29er time.

He was optimistic about the next 10-kilometer race.

"I'm sure that next time I won't break in on the last kilometer and run under 30 minutes," said the student.

Luk Jäger is fast after a long break from training

A few days after starting in Uelzen, the 22-year-old was successful at the German university championship in cross-country running.

Nick Jäger (competing for the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg) won the silver medal in Mengerskirchen in Hesse.

He ran the seven-kilometer route in 24:30 minutes.

Only Markus Görger (University of Freiburg) was faster in the field of 31 participants with 23:22 minutes.

A good result in Mengerskirchen was also important for Jäger in view of a possible start at the cross-country championship for students in Portugal (March 2022).

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Luk Jäger convinced in the U20 race at the German championship in ninth place.

© Stephan Jäger

Luk Jäger, Nick's younger brother, has his sights set on the European Cross Country Championship in Dublin in December. The 19-year-old perceived the DM in road running "as a form test," said TSV Penzberg in a message. He managed a good time with 32:33 minutes. In the U20 class, he landed in ninth place. Luk Jäger was only 33 seconds above his best time from the spring. It is noteworthy that he had to skip the summer due to an injury and has only been fully training again for a few weeks.

The winner of the women, Hanna Klein (LAV Stadtwerke Tübingen), provided a highlight at the road running DM.

The 28-year-old won with a personal best of 31:40 minutes and moved up to sixth place in the list of the fastest German female runners of all time over 10 kilometers.

Alina Reh (31:43) from SSC Berlin, who had led the race for a long time, took silver.

Bronze went to Bavaria: Miriam Dattke from "LG Telis Finanz Regensburg", who started as the reigning champion, achieved 32:49 minutes.