7th time around for the TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca

The race got under way with the temperature at 15 degrees, then after almost three hours it started to rain. The number of participants was 14 percent up on that of the previous year. Some 8,368 runners from 54 countries started out in Palma. 1,376 athletes covered the marathon distance of 42,195 metres, in the half marathon there were 2,961 runners. 1,789 sportsmen and women managed the 10-km distance, either running or walking. In the UNICEF Kids Run 2,000 youngsters aged from two to twelve were able to prove their sporting prowess. The organisers see the rise in the number of participants as a clear sign that the TUI Marathon has been fully accepted by the running scene. In the meantime the marathon is a reason for holidaymakers and locals alike to visit Palma de Majorca.

 

In a time of 02:29:23, the Majorcan Miquel Capo Soler was for the third time the fastest man over the distance of 42,195 metres. Second in the race and on the winner’s rostrum was the German Alain Wolf (02:33:15). The third man home was Daniel Skaaning Sandersen from Denmark in a time of 02:33:41.

The first woman to cross the finishing line was the German Sonja Oberem in a time of 02:47:29, which set a new course record. The previous best time was 02:54:40. Second-placed was Birgit Schönherr-Hölscher from Germany (02:57:29) and third Dorte Dahl from Denmark (02:58:48).

Half marathon winner comes from Switzerland

Fastest half marathon runner this year was the Swiss Bruno Heuberger in a time of 01:10:37. Second-placed was Toumi Dahmani from Spain, who crossed the finishing line after a time of 01:10:57. In third place was Carsten Bresser from Germany (01:11:36).

 

In a time of 01:22:05, Josefa Matheis from Germany beat the rest of the women’s field in the half marathon distance. Second was the German Katrin Kreil, who finished in a time of 01:22:16. Third-placed was Christin Kulgemeyer from Germany (01:25:52).

For the first time the topic of sustainability was pushed forward within the framework of the TUI Marathon. Under the overriding theme of "Green Marathon" a number of different projects were carried out aimed at supporting environmental protection and social commitment. For instance the runners were looked after using mainly local products and utensils supplied to the runners were made of ecological and recyclable raw materials. A shuttle bus service as well as waste separation along the route also contributed to environmental protection. The social commitment too was further developed: for the third year TUI donated five euros for every child that participated in the Kids Run to the UNICEF aid project “Water for Niger – Every drops counts“. The goal is to contribute to improving the living conditions of children in Niger. The amount donated for the 2,000 young athletes taking part was rounded up to €10,000. At the same time the travel group supported projects run by the Peter Maffay Foundation, the RTL fundraising marathon and the Family Association.

Runners warm up with Achim Achilles /Joey Kelly runs the marathon

In the few minutes before the starter’s gun was fired the athletes got into first gear by warming up with Germany’s most well known recreational runner Achim Achilles, the author and columnist for the Spiegel Online. Among the starters were also the extreme sportsman Joey Kelly and cycling Olympic winner Stefan Steinweg. TV presenter Andrea Ballschuh used the training and her participation in the TUI Marathon to get back into shape after the birth of her child. 13 teams competed for the FIRST Business Travel Running Award over the half marathon distance. In first place was the “Cava Krause” team based around the singer Mickie Krause.

TUI Marathon 2011 to have new goals
Michael Lambertz, Director of Group Marketing at TUI AG and responsible for the TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca, announced that the running event would be continued. Next year the marathon will become even more international and grow even more. The 8th International TUI Marathon Palma de Mallorca will take place on 16 October 2011.”