The overseas runners were fastest

Machine-translated from Faroese and not yet reviewed. Read the original.

Tórshavn Marathon had a record turnout yesterday, and also a record number of overseas runners. Several of them were very good runners, and never before have they taken so many places on the podium as this year. The winner from Germany, Raoul Jankowski, set a new course record of 2:44:48, taking five minutes off Cecil Weihe’s record.

It is no secret that the Tórshavn Marathon course is not the fastest. Earlier this year Raoul has run the marathon distance in 2:32 hours! The leading men were:

1. Raoul Jankowski, Germany 2:44:48
2. Andrias Hansen, Bragdið 2:55:03
3. Cecil Weihe, Bragdið 2:58:07
4. Martin Gravesen, Bragdið 3:00:28
5. Frederik Brummerstedt, Greenland 3:08:26
6. Joerg Chittka, Germany, 3:13:37
7. Jóhan E. Simonsen, Bragdið 3:21:56
8. Niels Poulsen, Bragdið 3:21:56
9. Dietrich Bronner, USA 3:24:42
10. Jonhard Larsen, Treysti 3:29:03

German Raoul Jankowski set a new Tórshavn Marathon record

Here the Faroese held their own very well against the overseas runners. Especially bearing in mind that several of our best are over fifty. Yes, we can truly be proud of our veteran runners.

These are the Faroese veteran Faroese champions. Together with Andrias Hansen, they did their bit to defend Faroese honour and all made it into the top 10

Our very best women were not taking part yesterday. Marna Egholm, Valborg Heinesen, Bjørk H. Olsen, Rigmor N. Arge, Krista Nielsen, Beinta Hoydal, Ann Thomsen and Duruta á Lofti could no doubt have made their mark among the best. But they were not there, so the overseas runners had an easy time of it and took the top places. The leading women:

1. Louise Skak, Norway/Denmark 3:26:13
2. Antonia Johnson, New Zealand 3:27:43
3. Jaana Jobe, Sweden 3:44:44
4. Tintin Svensson, Denmark 3:52:32
5. Halla Bjørg Thorhallsdóttir 3:53:38
6. Tracy Davidson, Belgium 4:11:39
7. Edit Kiss, Hungary 4:16:10
8. Hallbjørg Danielsen, Roysnið 4:17:07
9. Mary M. Shepro, USA 4:18:55
10. Petra W. Mikkelsen, Roysnið 4:19:44

It is wonderful for Bragdið to see how the event grows year on year. This year no fewer than 34 nations were represented, coming from near and far. All the Nordic countries were represented, and runners came from as far away as Canada, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, Iran, Mexico and from most countries in Europe.

Vaglið was packed with people, and never before has Tórshavn Marathon had so many spectators. This time the weather gods were kind!

The half marathon was also on the programme, and here too we got a new men’s course record, previously held by a Norwegian. Our veteran runners Henry Olsen and Regin Zachariasen bravely defended Faroese honour, finishing 2nd and 3rd. The top 10 can be seen here:

1. Dionisio Fernandez, Spain 1:17:47
2. Henry Olsen, Bragdið 1:23:16
3. Regin Zachariasen, Bragdið 1:25:31
4. Andrea Mondini, Italy 1:27:16
5. Andrew Harrison, Denmark 1:27:32
6. Oliver Granhøj, Denmark 1:27:49
7. Joost Geraedts, Netherlands 1:33:53
8. Morten Winther, Denmark 1:34:44
9. Regin Mittún, Bragdið 1:34:54
10. Arnfinn Johannesen, Roysnið 1:35:04

The Spanish winner of the half marathon, Dionisio Fernandez

In the women’s race it was great to see Valborg Heinesen show that she is now quickly making progress. She and Annika Thomsen from Bragdið were very evenly matched all the way, and only three seconds separated them at the finish. Several Faroese veteran women performed well and make up much of this top-10 list:

1. Valborg Heinesen, Bragdið 1:36:35
2. Annika Thomsen, Bragdið 1:36:38
3. Jannike Bucher Johannesen, Norway 1:42:56
4. Ella Áarstein, Treysti 1:44:42
5. Jenny Rosendahl, Sweden 1:46:04
6. Mona Rasmussen, Treysti 1:47:20
7. Ingrid Hofgaard, Bragdið 1:47:35
8. Ann-Mari av Skarði, Bragdið 1:47:37
9. Inga Thorkildshøj, Bragdið 1:49:59
10. Elin Holm, Bragdið 1:50:40

(unfortunately I still can’t find any photos of the best Faroese women)

Yet another major event and huge undertaking by Bragdið has been completed with flying colours. When Tórshavn Marathon was first launched, there was a lot of talk about only holding the event every other year. This was because it takes so much effort from the club, and could therefore drain energy from other events. But good people have proved over all these 15 years that when everyone pulls together, it makes a real difference.

Tórshavn Marathon is a huge undertaking for Bragdið. But without solid support from Tórshavn Municipality, this would be an almost impossible task. Good to see the mayor leading the way!

FÍF congratulates Bragdið on these 15 years, and thanks them for excellent work and great experiences for so many people.

And finally, a heartfelt sigh. It is a shame that such a large and comprehensive event does not attract more attention in the Faroese media. Quite strange that KVF does not bother to send a camera crew.

There are always many special stories connected with a marathon. This Englishman looks set to get into the Guinness Book of Records. As a fully kitted-out 1st aider, he had to run under 4 hours to achieve this, and he managed it by a whisker. Note that the man is not wearing ordinary running shoes, but heavy safety boots!

Among the many spectators were a large group of residents and staff from the Boðanesheimið care home. A very successful and charming initiative, it must be said. Runners and residents greeted each other with delight.

These two had the toughest outing and were out on the course longest yesterday. Two very colourful runners on the Faroese running scene. Regin Jóanesarson meant to enter the ½ marathon, but entered the full one by mistake. So he simply ran it, rather than correct his entry. Hans Birgir (Biggi) has run every Tórshavn Marathon so far, and he also ran as a guest participant at the Island Games in the Faroe Islands.

All photos borrowed from Bragdið – Faroefoto

All the results can be seen here

 

Photos