FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                   Anna Hahner and Twin Sister Lisa Could Form 
                       Germany's Next Marathon Generation

Anna Hahner was the runner in the national focus after German marathon 
races in Duesseldorf and Hamburg on the weekend. Only 22 years old she ran 
a fine debut,placing sixth at the METRO GROUP Marathon Duesseldorf with 
2:30:14. She missed the national qualifying time for the Olympics by a mere 
14 seconds but there is still hope that the German selectors will be kind 
on this occasion and reward her with an Olympic slot. 

"I really hope that the German federation will suggest to the National 
Olympic Committee to nominate Anna after her fine run. And hopefully we 
will then have three women competing in London," said Jan Winschermann, the 
Race Director of the METRO GROUP Marathon Duesseldorf, in support of the 
athlete. The METRO GROUP Marathon Düsseldorf is an IAAF Bronze Label Road 
Race.

In contrast to the German men – once again there will be no runner in the 
Olympic race on 12th August – the women have had consistent success in 
marathon running for decades. Christa Vahlensieck, Charlotte Teske, Uta 
Pippig, Katrin Dörre-Heinig, Sonja Oberem, Luminita Zaituc or more recently 
Irina Mikitenko are some big names in international marathon running who 
have produced great results many times. With the two-time World Marathon 
Majors winner Irina Mikitenko turning 40 later this year and Susanne Hahn 
34 their careers are in their final periods. Sabrina Mockenhaupt is 31, but 
so far she could not fully transform her potential to the marathon 
distance. This is why she opted to go for the 10,000 m at the Olympics.

With Sabrina Mockenhaupt out of Germany's marathon team there is one vacant 
spot. It remains to be seen if officials decide to give it to Anna Hahner 
now. Her marathon debut came at the right time, it was just a pity that she 
had lost those 14 seconds somewhere on the way despite appearing quite 
fresh after finishing. "I am very happy with my debut. But I am not sure 
where I lost those seconds missing. Nonetheless I am still hoping to get on 
the team. To run the marathon in the London Olympics is a dream." 

But even if she should not make it to London the future looks promising – 
most probably not only for Anna Hahner but also for her twin sister Lisa. 
So far the two had generally always been on the same level. And Lisa is 
planning her marathon debut as well. 

After playing table tennis (also in a double together) and doing Jujutsu 
with some success the twins came to running quite late. It was a big 
coincidence that they discovered the sport. They were 17 when they went to 
listen to a presentation by the musician and long-distance athlete Joey 
Kelly in Fulda, which is near their home village Rimmels. Kelly was also 
speaking about motivation and running. "That absolutely motivated us and we 
started running three times a week," said Anna Hahner. They soon won road 
races. "Sometimes we crossed the line together." After they ran a half 
marathon in Bad Hersfeld in 1:29 at the age of 17 they were approached by a 
coach and persuaded to join a club. It was after some time that they then 
met Wolfgang Heinig, who is now working as a coach for the regional 
federation of Hessen. Heinig, who had guided his wife Katrin Dörre-Heinig 
to major international victories, became the coach of Anna and Lisa Hahner 
at the beginning of this year.

Anna Hahner hopes to run much faster in the future. "But I am not setting 
myself any specific time goals," the 22 year-old said. While she has a very 
experienced coach she also has a big idol: Mary Keitany. She already met 
her when she was training in Kenya.

More information and online entry is available at: 
www.metrogroup-marathon.de 
 
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