Mittelholzer clocks personal best at Seoul Marathon

– Targets sub-3-hour finish in Aruba

By Michelangelo Jacobus

Guyanese distance runner Hicks Mittelholzer delivered a personal best performance at the 2026 Seoul Marathon in South Korea, finishing in three hours, eight minutes and 46 seconds in only his second attempt at the gruelling 42.2 km distance.
Competing among a massive field of over 40,000 participants across marathon and 10K events at last Sunday’s (March 15) staging, Mittelholzer described the experience as both challenging and rewarding, noting the stark contrast to his debut outing in Barbados last year.
“I went to South Korea to do the Seoul Marathon; it was a good experience, a different experience, I would say. Differently, it was a new environment, new people, new culture, everything completely new, but it was really good,” Mittelholzer told this publication.
“It was very cold as well. I’m grateful to actually have had the opportunity to experience an event to that level. It was very big; over 20,000 people participated in that marathon.”
The event, officially known as the Dong-A Marathon, is regarded as one of Asia’s premier road races, featuring a flat and fast course that begins at Gwanghwamun Plaza and concludes at the Jamsil Sports Complex.
Reflecting on his progression, Mittelholzer noted that his preparation for Seoul was significantly improved compared to his first marathon in Barbados, where he was tackling the distance for the first time.
“Looking back at Barbados, that was the first time I ever ran that long, the first time I ever ran a marathon, so when I went to do the Seoul marathon, I believe I was more prepared to run the distance,” he explained. “I was aiming for a sub-three-hour marathon, but I didn’t get that. I got three hours, eight minutes and 46 seconds.”

Despite narrowly missing his target, the Guyanese athlete expressed satisfaction with the result, highlighting that the performance represents a new personal record.
“I am really happy I got a good result as well, because it has beaten my previous record, and it is indeed a new personal best. The next one I will definitely work to get a better result and to actually get that sub-three-hours,” he said.
Mittelholzer has already set his sights on his next assignment, the KLM Aruba Marathon scheduled for June 6–7, where he intends to make another push toward breaking the three-hour barrier.
“I will definitely be working in the next three months to achieve that goal, to make sure that at the next one I get the outcome that I am aiming for,” he added. “The next marathon is the KLM Marathon in Aruba, which is in June. My main aim is getting that sub-three-hour run.”
The Aruba event, now in its eighth edition, is an AIMS and World Athletics-certified race and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier, as well as a qualifying event for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Championships.
Mittelholzer also acknowledged the support network behind his progress, extending gratitude to sponsors Royal Castle and Bounty Farm, along with local running communities Stride592 and the 04:00h Run Club, and his family.
In Seoul, Ethiopia dominated the elite competition, with Haftu Teklu winning the men’s race in 2:04:23 and Haven Hailu Desse capturing the women’s title in 2:19:09.