Ellen Tittel

Ellen Tittel (later Wellmann, later Wessinghage; 28 June 1948 – 7 October 2023) was a West German middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 m event. She won the European indoor title in 1973, placing third in 1975, and had another third-place finish at the 1971 European Outdoor Championships. She reached the 1500 m finals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, but abandoned the 1972 race due to stomach cramps. In 1971 she helped to set a new world record in the 4 × 800 m relay. Domestically Tittel set a national record in 1969 and won the national title in 1970–76. In 1975 she was chosen the West German Sportspersonality of the Year. Tittel won the British WAAA Championships title in the 1500 metres event at the 1972 WAAA Championships. Tittel was a lawyer by profession. Before turning to athletics she tried gymnastics, but found it too boring. She married two fellow Olympic middle-distance runners, first Paul-Heinz Wellmann, and a few years later Thomas Wessinghage. With Wessinghage she had a son Daniel. She died on 7 October 2023, at the age of 75.