European Athletics Championships in Munich: Richard Ringer sensationally wins gold in the marathon

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Richard Ringer at the finish line at Munich's Odeonsplatz

Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP

Marathon runner Richard Ringer surprisingly secured the first German individual title at the European Athletics Championships in Munich.

The 33-year-old won the final sprint in 2:10:21 hours.

Co-favorite Amanal Petros had to settle for fourth place in the end.

After a clever race, Ringer had the greatest reserves in the final meters and won ahead of the Israelis Maru Teferi (2:10:23) and Gashau Ayale (2:10:29).

The German record holder Petros, who was on course for silver on the long home stretch, collapsed at the end.

Due to health problems, the 27-year-old has not competed in a race since the beginning of April.

In the team classification, Germany took silver behind Israel.

The last German medal in the marathon was a long time ago: Herbert Steffny had won bronze in Stuttgart in 1986.

German women win team classification

In the women's category, Miriam Dattke only just missed out on an individual medal.

The 24-year-old finished fourth in 2:28:52 hours.

Nienke Brinkman from the Netherlands at the same time secured bronze in the final sprint.

Aleksandra Lisowska from Poland won the first title at this European Championship in 2:28:36 hours.

Silver went to Matea Parlov Kostro of Croatia in 2:28:42.

The German champion Domenika Mayer in sixth (2:29:21) and Deborah Schöneborn (2:30:35) in tenth ensured that the German team won the team classification.

Rabea Schöneborn in 12th and Katharina Steinruck in 15th completed the excellent German team result.

Four laps had to be completed on a circuit through downtown Munich.

The climatic conditions due to the start times in the morning were ultimately not as difficult as feared for a long time.

The European Athletics Championships are currently taking place as part of the European Championships in Munich.

kjo/dpa