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 German Sportspersonality of the Year.

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.