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Record Field at Rhein-Ruhr Marathon as Safety Questions Surface

Police say only rare exceptions to race closures were allowed, including an urgent organ transport.

Overview

  • The 43rd Rhein-Ruhr-Marathon in Duisburg drew more than 9,000 entrants across events, up from about 7,700 last year.
  • Starts ran late after handbikers and inliners left about 25 minutes behind schedule, which pushed the marathon gun to 8:45.
  • Elias Kroll won the men's marathon in 2:28:06, and Katharina Wehr won the women's race in 2:50:29.
  • Citywide closures blocked streets along the course from 7 a.m., and buses and trams ran diversions with delays on lines including U79, 901, and 903.
  • Eyewitness claims of cars on the route in Großenbaum remain unconfirmed by the organizer, and police said rare emergency exceptions to closures can apply, citing an organ transport.