Michael Hofer triumphed at the Seiser Alm Half Marathon.

Seiser Alm: Hofer and Coliva win the anniversary edition

As expected, the two top favorites left their mark on the 10th Seiser Alm Half Marathon on Sunday: Michael Hofer (Deutschnofen) won the men's race in 1:19.17 hours, while Benedetta Coliva from Bologna won the women's race in 1:31.52 hours created a new, outstanding course record. A total of 700 enthusiastic runners took part in the Seiser Alm Dolomites region in ideal running weather.

July 02, 2023

From: pm

Some of the best long-distance runners in South Tyrol and beyond did not want to miss the anniversary edition of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon, which is part of the Top 7 running series for the first time this year. For the men, Michael Hofer, Sterzinger Markus Ploner, Hannes Rungger from the Sarntal and Khalid Jbari from Leifers were considered favorites, while for the women a duel between Benedetta Coliva and last year's winner Greta Haselrieder from Bruneck was expected. And the predictions came true.

After the start at 9 a.m. sharp in Compatsch, the leading group picked up the pace. At the front, Hofer and Ploner ran heel to heel before the 27-year-old from Nova Ponente, who had been 17 for a few days, was able to pull away a little after about five kilometers. Hofer then ran at his pace, was already two minutes ahead at Spitzbühl after about 1 kilometers and ultimately prevailed in 19.17:2.21 hours. With this, Hofer gave himself a belated birthday present and also achieved the fifth fastest winning time ever achieved at the Seiser Alm Half Marathon. Ploner crossed the finish line 1:23.12 minutes later, while Jbari took third place (1:25.10). In fourth place and with a time of 21,1:600, Hannes Rungger finished the 1 km with 16.21 meters of elevation gain, who still holds the course record. At the premiere ten years ago, the Sarner reached the finish after XNUMX:XNUMX hours.

Coliva pulverizes the course record

For the women, there was no way around Benedetta Coliva. The 21-year-old from Bologna, who won the Saslong Half Marathon three weeks ago, broke away soon after the start and ran a lonely race at the front. Coliva crossed the finish line in Compatsch after 1:31.52 hours, setting a new course record. She was almost a minute faster than the previous record holder Monique Siegel (Germany) in her success in 2017 (1:32.45).

Benedetta Coliva caused a sensation. © Sportissimus

Greta Haselrieder finished the renowned running competition on the Alpe di Siusi in second place with a time of 1:34.11 hours. The Bruneck woman was eight minutes faster than when she won last year, but this time she couldn't come close to the extremely strong Benedetta Coliva. Alice Guerra, who also lives in Bologna, completed the podium (1:36.58). With Lena Zingerle (7th/Mühlbach), Birgit Bracket (8th/Gröden) and Doris Weissteiner (9th/Klausen), three other South Tyroleans made it into the top ten.

The organizers are satisfied with the results

“Today was pure advertising for the sport of running. The weather was ideal, the sun shone most of the time and the few clouds cooled us down a bit. The incredible panorama naturally contributes to the fact that the runners arrive with a big smile on their faces - and that the 700 starting places are sold out long before the registration deadline. With Michael Hofer and Benedetta Coliva, two top athletes won and we congratulate them on their success as well as the countless finishers. Everyone who has taken on the challenge of 21,1 km with 600 meters of altitude can feel like a winner. We would like to thank the many sponsors, but also all the helpers - they are the backbone of this great event, which would not exist without their support," summarized Helmut Mitterstieler (President Seiser Alm Marketing) and Thomas Perathoner (President LG Schlern Raiffeisen) finally.

After the Seiser Alm Half Marathon is before the Seiser Alm Half Marathon: The 11th edition of the South Tyrolean long-distance classic will take place on July 7, 2024.

Results 10th Seiser Alm Half Marathon

Men:
1. Michael Hofer ITA/Deutschnofen 1:19.17
2. Markus Ploner ITA/Vipiteno 1:21.38
3. Khalid Jbari ITA/Laives 1:23.12
4. Hannes Rungger ITA/Bozen 1:25.10
5. Samuel Demetz ITA/Gröden 1:26.51

Women:
1. Benedetta Coliva ITA/Bologna 1:31.52
2. Greta Haselrieder ITA/Bruneck 1:34.11
3. Alice Guerra ITA/Bologna 1:36.58
4. Giulia Delgado ITA/Olmi 1:40.36
5. Ellis Jacobs NED/1:41.12