Track and field events - Petros secures third place at European Championships' half marathon, earning a bronze medal for his team.
Amanal Petros clinched the second German medal in the half marathon at the Athletics European Championships in Rome, earning a bronze. Competing against the Italians Yemaneberhan Crippa and Pietro Riva, Petros, who holds the German marathon record, could only place third.
Crippa triumphed in 1:01:03 hours, securing the lead just ahead of Petros (1:01:07). "I wasn't quite fast enough, so I'm satisfied with a third-place finish," Petros told ARD.
Samuel Fitwi scored the second-best German result with a time of 1:01:17 hours, finishing in fifth place. Filimon Abraham crossed the line in 1:03:09, claiming bronze for the team. Richard Ringer came in 28th (1:03:53), while Simon Boch took 31st (1:04:16) and Hendrik Pfeiffer placed 34th (1:04:32).
Prior to the Olympic Games in Paris, only half the marathon distance was contested at the EM. In 2022, Richard Ringer achieved victory in the full marathon, and the team earned silver.
The athletes were relieved of the scorching temperatures experienced in the days prior, with overcast skies and moderate temperatures during their race, which began near the Colosseum and showcased many of Rome's iconic landmarks.
As the race entered the critical stages, Petros and Fitwi remained in the lead, closely pursuing Crippa. Riva and Maru Teferi from Israel also targeted medals. Fitwi slowed near the Olympic Stadium, where Crippa boasted the most energy reserves. It was this same venue where Crippa had won gold in the 10,000 meters at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich.
