Top Runners from Kenya and Ethiopia Set to Compete in 41st Mainova Frankfurt Marathon

Seven runners with personal bests under 2:07 are set to compete in the 41st Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 27th. This year’s race is expected to be dominated by athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia, the two powerhouse nations in distance running. Topping the start list is Ethiopia's Herpasa Negasa, boasting a world-class personal best of 2:03:40. A new addition to the race is Kenya’s Elisha Rotich, who has a personal best of 2:04:21.

The organizers anticipate a turnout of over 25,000 participants on the last Sunday in October, including more than 14,000 marathon runners—significantly more than in 2023. The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon holds the distinction of being a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. Runners can still register at www.frankfurt-marathon.com.

Today, the organizers announced part of the men’s elite field, with the women’s field set to be revealed next month. Among the elite men, Elisha Rotich has consistently performed well in marathon races. His standout achievement was winning the 2021 Paris Marathon in 2:04:21, which remains his personal best and is still the course record for Paris. Earlier this year, he ran another strong race in Paris, finishing third with a time of 2:06:53 on a course not typically known for fast times. Rotich, along with fellow Kenyan Eric Kiptanui, who has a personal best of 2:05:47, looks to be among the strongest Kenyan contenders in Frankfurt. However, a surprise could come from Kenyan newcomer Benard Biwott, who has an impressive half marathon time of 59:47 this year.

In addition to Herpasa Negasa, Ethiopia will have four more runners with personal bests under 2:07 on the starting line: Lencho Tesfaye (2:06:18), Aychew Bantie (2:06:23), Boki Asefa (2:06:46), and Birhan Nebebew (2:06:52). These athletes could potentially improve their times on Frankfurt's fast course, where Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang set the course record of 2:03:42 back in 2011.

“We expect a very open race as there is no clear favorite. It’s hard to predict the times, but the field definitely has the potential for surprises,” said Race Director Jo Schindler.

Spain's Abdelaziz Merzougui, with a personal best of 2:08:00, is the fastest European in the men’s field. A unique aspect of this year’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is the participation of a married couple among the elite runners. New Zealand’s Jake Robertson, with a personal best of 2:08:26, could be a strong contender, while his Kenyan wife, Magdalyne Masai, with a personal best of 2:22:16, is expected to be among the favorites in the women's race.