Frankfurt Marathon Elite Field: Magdalyne Masai Returns After Tokyo Setback

Magdalyne Masai is set to compete at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon next Sunday. Her late addition to the elite field comes after the Kenyan made a swift recovery from collapsing in the intense heat during the World Championships Marathon in Tokyo last month.

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This will mark Masai’s third consecutive appearance at the Frankfurt Marathon. In 2024, the 31-year-old finished runner-up in a personal best time of 2:18:58, which remains the fastest entry time ever recorded on a Frankfurt start list. The 42nd edition of the event is expected to feature the strongest elite field in its history.

The women’s lineup includes six athletes with personal bests under 2:23:00, two of whom have run below 2:20:00. Alongside Masai is her compatriot Sharon Chelimo, who clocked 2:19:33 to win the Barcelona Marathon earlier this year. Ethiopians Etagegne Woldu (2:20:03) and Aminet Ahmed (2:21:24), however, were forced to withdraw due to injuries.

Masai had been running in bronze medal position in Tokyo’s grueling, humid conditions before succumbing to heat exhaustion. “After taking time to recover, my first training sessions went so well that I really wanted to run another marathon this autumn. I’m in the best shape of my life and didn’t want to waste it,” Masai said. “Frankfurt is the perfect race for me. I’m really excited to have the chance to come back!”

The men’s field in Frankfurt is equally impressive, featuring seven athletes with personal bests under 2:08:00. Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, the 2017 Frankfurt champion, returns to the race with a personal best of 2:04:49, leading the field ahead of fellow Ethiopian Dejene Megersa (2:05:42). Germany’s Filimon Abraham will also be one to watch as he targets a new lifetime best, aiming to improve on his 2:08:11 on Frankfurt’s famously fast course.

MEN'S ELITE FIELD:

• Shura Kitata ETH 2:04:49
• Dejene Megersa ETH 2:05:42
• Kipkemoi Kiprono KEN 2:06:45
• Belay Asfaw ETH 2:07:00
• Getachew Masresha ETH 2:07:04
• Stanley Rono KEN 2:07:05
• Kirbrom Habtu ETH 2:07:05
• Filimon Abraham GER 2:08:11
• Edwin Kibichiy KEN 2:08:29
• Benson Murkomen KEN 2:08:35
• Timothy Misoi KEN 2:08:38
• Vincent Mutai KEN 2:09:09
• Therence Bizosa BDI 2:09:18
• Yismaw Yitayew ETH 2:09:32
• Yasin Haji ETH 2:09:52
• Lulu Negera ETH 2:09:54
• Tom Thurley GER 2:12:45
• Jan Lukas Becker GER 2:15:20
• Emmanuel Wafula KEN Debüt
• Taresa Bekuma ETH Debüt
• Diriba Girma ETH Debüt

WOMEN'S ELITE FIELD

• Magdalyne Masai KEN 2:18:58
• Sharon Chelimo KEN 2:19:33
• Buze Diriba ETH 2:20:22
• Linet Masai KEN 2:21:01
• Tsige Haileslase ETH 2:22:10
• Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:22:42
• Urge Diro ETH 2:23:05
• Stacy Ndiwa KEN 2:23:29
• Betty Chepkemoi KEN 2:24:14
• Abbie Donnelly GBR 2:26:21
• Ayinadis Teshome ETH 2:27:58
• Tegest Ymer ETH 2:29:27
• Pascaline Kibiwott KEN 2:29:47
• Katharina Saathoff GER 2:35:08
• Yalemget Yaregal ETH Debüt
• Ayal Dagnachew ETH Debüt