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Valencia (dpa) - Richard Ringer makes his marathon debut on Sunday in Valencia at the age of 31 - for his experienced coach Wolfgang Heinig, the change from the track to the road should soon pay off.
«Richard can improve the German record in the next two or three years.
He can arrive in the region at 2:06 hours, which is quite realistic for me, "said the former national coach of the German press agency.
Arne Gabius' DLV record has been 2:08:33 hours for five years.
"Richard doesn't come from anywhere: He has been training long-distance specific for many years," said Heinig.
“Sure, it's about the Olympic norm on Sunday, but that doesn't mean anything: He can run the norm - and yet only finish fourth.
It's not eaten yet, ”said the 69-year-old.
Two DLV aces have already met the standard (2:11:30 hours), and Olympic tickets are available for a trio.
Wrestler wants to make a decent debut in the elite field - amateurs are not allowed in Valencia due to Corona - and immediately send a signal for the Olympics.
“My number one goal is Tokyo, I want to go to the Olympic Games, of course.
I'm just in the mood for a marathon, ”said the runner from LC Rehlingen, who was third in the European Championship over 5000 meters in 2016, in a dpa conversation.
"Certainly my first will not be my best marathon", said Ringer.
"I want to find out if I'm that marathon runner at all."
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Brief portrait of Richard Ringer
Start lists Valencia marathon / men and women
Eternal DLV leaderboard marathon / men