Can Frankfurt produce a remarkable record race?
Will the 43rd edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday produce a remarkable record race? A number of marathon marks could be threatened if – and that is the key question – the weather will be favourable. Four runners are on the start list with personal bests of sub 2:05:00 which makes it the fastest men’s elite field in the history of the event. It is likely that the German record and possible also the European record will be targeted. Both course records, which stand at 2:03:42 and 2:17:25 respectively, could be challenged. While the women’s race could see one of the fastest debut marathons by a German there could also be a world best performance in the M50 age group in the men’s race.
Much will depend on the weather. If it will still be wet, cold and windy on Sunday morning, it will be almost impossible to break any records. If the weather settles down in time, conditions could be ideal for top performances.
The organisers recorded a record number of 19,720 entries from 128 nations for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. “We are absolutely delighted with this record number of entries. Over the past 25 years, we have taken the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon to a whole new level in every aspect,” said Race Director Jo Schindler, who will be stepping down from his role after this race.
The race will be streamed live on the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon website and can also be watched internationally in many countries: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
The men’s race
The spotlight is on the three fastest German runners of all time. Amanal Petros, who confidently secured his first major international title at the European Championships in Birmingham in August, holds the German record with 2:04:03. Samuel Fitwi was second in Hamburg in April with a PB of 2:04:45 which is also the German lead for this year. Richard Ringer, the 2022 European Marathon Champion from Munich, has an official personal best of 2:05:46, but he ran 2:04:47 in Boston this spring on a course that is not record-eligible.
“My training in Kenya went very well. If the weather is on my side, it could happen,” replied Amanal Petros when asked whether in addition to his German record of 2:04:03 he could also challenge the European record of 2:03:36. Should he succeed he would break the course record set by Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang in 2011 with 2:03:42 as well. “I have been dreaming of breaking the European record for several years now,” said Amanal Petros.
However the European Marathon Champion will face at least one domestic rival in Samuel Fitwi, who is keen to go with the leading group as well. “If the weather is good, the German record is within reach on the flat course in Frankfurt. I am well prepared and definitely want to beat my personal best,” said Samuel Fitwi. Richard Ringer is not expected to run quite that fast. “I had a muscle problem after the European Marathon Championships. I then took quite a risk preparing for Frankfurt, but thankfully it worked very well. I do not expect to be running right at the front on Sunday and will probably go with a second group,” said Richard Ringer.
Two athletes who could spoil the German party are Andualem Belay of Ethiopia, who has a personal best of 2:04:44, and Benard Biwott. The Kenyan triumphed unexpectedly on his debut in Frankfurt two years ago with 2:05:54. Then he won the Paris Marathon in 2025, improving to 2:05:25. “My aim is to win on Sunday. I think I can achieve a time of around 2:04:00,” said Benard Biwott.
50 year-old Mark Kiptoo could provide another highlight in Frankfurt. The Kenyan won the race back in 2014 and four years later set a Masters world record here with a time of 2:07:50. Now aged 50, Mark Kiptoo is aiming to break another age-group record. The current world best in the ‘M50’ category is held by Titus Mamabolo. The South African clocked 2:19:29 in Durban back in 1991.
The women’s race
In the women’s race two athletes with personal bests of sub 2:20:00 are on the start list: Zeineba Yimer of Ethiopia and Betsy Saina (USA) have clocked 2:18:47 and 2:19:17 respectively. Also considered a strong contender is Kenya’s Marion Kibor, who improved to 2:21:12 in Hamburg this spring. Meskerem Assefa, a former Frankfurt winner, has returned. The Ethiopian set her current personal best of 2:20:36 during her triumph here in 2018.
28-year-old Zeineba Yimer, who ran 2:18:47 for third place in Barcelona this spring, had bad luck at the Berlin Marathon four weeks ago. She was forced to drop out due to stomach problems. “Now I want to make the most of the flat course in Frankfurt and set a personal best. I have also got my sights set on the course record and want to break that mark as well,” said Zeineba Yimer. Her compatriot Hawi Feysa won here with 2:17:25 two years ago.
After a maternity break Betsy Saina is looking to make a strong comeback on Sunday. The US runner who originally is from Kenya is aiming for a half-marathon split time of 70:00. Marion Kibor intends to run sub 2:20:00 as well.
Germany’s Blanka Dörfel could spring a surprise. The 24-year-old is taking a relaxed approach to her marathon debut. “I will be running without a watch and will trust my instincts,” said Blanka Dörfel, who has already achieved impressive results with this approach on several occasions. Her personal best of 68:08 in the half marathon, set in nearby Mainz this spring, suggests she is capable of a strong debut. The fastest debut time by a German female runner to date was set by Melat Kejeta, who ran 2:23:57 in Berlin in 2019.
Elite Runners with Personal Bests
MEN
Amanal Petros GER 2:04:03
Andualem Belay ETH 2:04:44
Samuel Fitwi GER 2:04:45
Richard Ringer GER 2:04:47
Benard Biwott KEN 2:05:25
Haimro Alame ISR 2:06:04
Antenayehu Dagnachew ETH 2:06:55
Jiregna Geleta ETH 2:06:57
Derara Hurisa ETH 2:08:09
Jirata Dinki ETH 2:08:18
Abe Gashahun ETH 2:08:35
Lemawork Ketema AUT 2:10:44
WOMEN
Zeineba Yimer ETH 2:18:47
Betsy Saina USA 2:19:17
Meskerem Assefa ETH 2:20:36
Siranesh Yirga ETH 2:21:08
Marion Kibor KEN 2:21:12
Janet Ruguru KEN 2:23:00
Mehret Gemeda ETH 2:23:29
Milicent Jelimo KEN 2:24:19
Obse Abdeta ETH 2:27:14
Martina Strähl SUI 2:28:07
Selam Fente ETH 2:28:22
Aselef Amare ETH 2:28:47
Blanka Dörfel GER Debut
Further information is available at: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
Please note: The attached photos showing Richard Ringer, Samuel Fitwi and Amanal Petros as well as Betsy Saina, Blanka Dörfel and Marion Kibor in Frankfurt can only be used in association with this press release and with the following credit: Victah Sailer
Ringer-Fitwi-PetrosPC-Frankfurt26.JPG
Saina-Dorfel-KiborSky-Frankfurt26.JPG
