Hofer and Kessler triumph at the Meran-Algund Half Marathon

Michael Hofer lived up to his role as favorite at the Meran-Algund Half Marathon in a confident manner. The 26-year-old defending champion from ASV Deutschnofen, who took second place at the half marathon in Kaltern five weeks ago, fought a thrilling fight with David Andersag from Kardaun on the two loops from Meran to Algund and back again.

Between kilometers 15 and 16 in the Lange Gasse, Hofer finally made the decisive attack on the climb and won the 28th Half Marathon Meran-Algund with a strong time of 1:07.43 hours. Hofer was 15 seconds slower than in his triumph last year. Andersag, athlete from ASC Berg, reached the finish on “Labor Day” after 1:08.24 hours. Third place went to Schleiser Matthias Agethle from the sports team, another South Tyrolean. His time was 1:10.58.

Michael Hofer was 15 seconds faster than when he won last year. © hkMedia

“I'm very happy because the route here isn't exactly easy. The field of participants was really strong and the weather with very light rain at the start and temperatures around 10 or 12 degrees was ideal for us runners. That's why we were able to "pull" properly. The half marathon season is now over for me and I will now be seen more often on shorter distances, such as in the village runs or road races in other Italian regions,” said winner Hofer at the finish. Hannes Rungger from Sarn (ASC Lauffreunde Sarntal Raiffeisen) took fifth place behind Pasquale Rutigliano – Italian champion over 50 kilometers. Start-to-finish victory for Julia Kessler Julia Kessler from Meran, who is one of the strongest trail runners in Italy, shone among the women. The 28-year-old from the Merano sports club also showed her potential on flat terrain, completing the 21,097 kilometers in 1:22.31 and setting a new, confident personal best. “This victory comes as a complete surprise to me. I was here at the start four years ago and woke up in the hospital. At that time I was completely inexperienced, hadn't prepared appropriately, started the race way too fast and ended up dehydrated. Today it totally inspired me in front of my fans, in front of my friends. “I’ve never run under 1:30 hours, not even in training,” said Kessler, who switched from martial arts (Yoseikan Budo) to running four years ago.

The podium from left to right: Natalie Andersang, Julia Kessler and Denise Neufert. © hkMedia

Natalie Andersag (ASC Berg) was pleased to take second place in the half marathon in Meran, crossing the finish line at the Kurhaus after 1:26.13 hours and was therefore 23 seconds faster than the Austrian Denise Neufert. Incidentally, Andersag's time was half a minute faster than five weeks ago in Kaltern, where she achieved third place. Giacomelli and Dallio win the Fitness Run Giuliano Giacomelli (GS Valsugana Trentino) won the 12,5 kilometer long fitness run. He relegated Roberto Tomio (US Cornacci Tesero) and Manuel Padoeller to the places of honor. Giulia Dallio (Atletica Valle di Cembra) won among the women. She lost out to Elektra Bonvecchio (Atletica Trento) and Christin Crusius from Germany.

The South Tyrolean Top7 running series is now taking a short break and will continue in two and a half months on Saturday, July 16th with the Reschenseelauf.

The results Half Marathon Merano-Lagundo, results men: 1. Michael Hofer ITA/ASV Deutschnofen 1:07.43 2. David Andersag ITA/ASC Berg 1:08.24 3. Matthias Agethle ITA/athlete team 1:10.58 4. Pasquale Rutigliano ITA/Bitonto Runners-Amici di Marco 1:11.21 5. Hannes Rungger ITA/ASC LF Sarntal Raiffeisen 1:11.33

Half Marathon Merano-Lagundo, results women: 1. Julia Kessler ITA/Sportclub Meran 1:22.31 2. Natalie Andersag ITA/ASC Berg 1:26.13 3. Denise Neufert AUT/Light Blue Powerteam 1:26.36 4. Joana Lucaci ITA/GP Parco Alpi Apuane 1:26.40 5. Andrea Schweigkofler ITA/Sportclub Merano 1:27.07

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Hofer and Kessler triumph at the Meran-Algund Half Marathon

Last year's winner Michael Hofer and local hero Julia Kessler won the 28th edition of the spring classic in the Passerstadt on Sunday in perfect running weather. A total of around 600 athletes took part in the running spectacle in Meran.

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