Top class among the elite runners in Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon

Gothenburg is ready and set for another thrilling Half Marathon and it is going to be a great competition this year as well. Being the largest Half Marathon in the world it is a prestigious race for many fast long-distance runners from all over the world.

The elite field of Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon will include eight men with a personal best under one hour. Which means there will be many runners competing to finish first. In the women’s class there are five runners with personal bests under 70 minutes. The experienced runners have a variety of amazing talents that may lead to some exciting surprises!

We had a conversation with the coordinator of the elite field, Jasper Buitink.

"Regarding who I think will win this year I believe the returning two time winner Richard Mengich, Kenya, has a great chance. Mengich is also the runner that has the existing course record from 2016. Other potential winners are last year’s winner Shadrack Kimining, Kenya, and the former world leader in steeplechase, Jarius Birech”, says Jasper Buitink and continues:

“In the women’s class we have the two-time winner of Paris Marathon; Viselin Jekesho, Kenya, and the rising star Bekele Gudeta, Ethiopia, as candidates for the victory”.

- Is it possible that the course record will be broken this year?

“The existing course record here is truly world class. First and foremost the weather has to cooperate so let’s hope for good running conditions!”, continues Jasper.

This year we will also see an exciting group of Swedish runners. Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon is also the Swedish Championship in Half Marathon. “ I think that Robel Fshisa is one of the favorites finishing as the best European runner (17th overall) in the World Cross Championships in Aarhus earlier this year. Moreover, Hanna Lindholm and Charlotta Fougberg are runners that right now seem to constantly beat their PRs in the Half Marathon distance” says Buitink.

- Last question, who should the spectators keep an extra eye on this year?

“Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon always brings some new talents. This year is no exception. Keep an eye on Isac Temoi, Kenya, a 20 year old runner, finishing third in 59:44 last year. Also the one year younger fellow Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum, ran an impressive half marathon debut in the same race, running a 59:54, concludes Jasper. 

More information:
Jasper Buitink, elite coordinator Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon, +47 951 00 411

Mediaguide Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon 2019

Photo: Glenn T Unger. Course record holder Richard Mengich 2016 (59,35).