1st WMC Half Marathon – Lucerne (SUI) – Summary News
LUCERNE (SUI) - The 1st World Military Half Marathon Championships held in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 2022, marked the inaugural edition of this prestigious event. The championships were characterized by vibrant opening and closing ceremonies and intense competition among military athletes from 38 different nations.
The event commenced with a lively opening ceremony at Kapellplatz, which served as a fitting prelude to an exciting and competitive half marathon set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The race course featured iconic locations, including the football stadium, KKL Luzern concert hall, lakeside, and charming old town alleys of Lucerne.
Over 200 athletes from around the world participated, including renowned figures like the reigning European Marathon Champion, Aleksandra Lisowska from Poland, and German marathon runner Hendrik Pfeiffer, an Olympic contender. Other nations like Bahrain, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco brought strong contenders to vie for victory in the competition.
The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures, including Lucerne City Councillor Franziska Bitzi Staub, Chief of the Swiss Delegation to CISM Colonel Christian Hess, CISM official representative Lieutenant-Colonel Jure Velepec, and Brigadier General Niels Blatter. The event showcased the spirit of "friendship through sport," fostering connections between nations and promoting fairness and sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony also featured schoolchildren proudly carrying their nation's plaques as they paraded.
The first day of competition set the stage for the thrilling races that followed, with intense competition and remarkable performances.
In the men's race, athletes from Morocco, Bahrain, and Tanzania engaged in a fierce contest. The race concluded with a thrilling final sprint, and Morocco's El Aaraby Mohamed Reda secured the gold medal by a mere one-second lead over Tanzanian Alphonce Simby. Another Moroccan, Yassine El Alami, finished in third place. Morocco claimed victory in the men's team event.
In the women's race, Bahrain's Jepchumba Kilonzo Violah emerged as the new world champion with a commanding lead of over 20 seconds ahead of her teammate, Jebet Ruth Danies. The Tanzanian Delegation secured the bronze medal.
The Bahraini women's team added another gold medal to their nation's tally, and Morocco and Tanzania secured silver and bronze, respectively.
The event was characterized by a strong field of runners, a challenging course, optimal weather conditions, and enthusiastic spectators, making the inaugural CISM Half Marathon World Championships a resounding success.
The competition came to a thrilling conclusion with a medal ceremony during the closing ceremony and a subsequent closing banquet. The Chief of the Swiss Delegation to CISM congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances and declared the 1st World Military Half Marathon Championships closed.
This historic event set the stage for future international military sports competitions, and Lucerne was announced as the host for the upcoming Military World Winter Games in 2025, with potential for exciting Cross-Country Running competitions for half marathon participants. The championships celebrated the values of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship, leaving a lasting impression on all participants and spectators.
-
Final Results: Men Individual - Men Team - Women Individual - Women Team
1st WMC Half Marathon – Lucerne (SUI) – Day 1
LUCERNE (SUI) - The inaugural World Military Half Marathon Championships took place in Lucerne, Switzerland, commencing with a vibrant opening ceremony at Kapellplatz.
1st WMC Half Marathon – Lucerne (SUI) – Day 2
LUCERNE (SUI) - The first-ever CISM Half Marathon World Championships kicked off with great enthusiasm as Brigadier General Niels Blatter officially signaled the start at 8:25 a.m.
(Source: Armée Suisse)
