Buze Diriba Breaks 2:20 Barrier, Belay Asfaw Stuns in Frankfurt

Posted by: Watch Athletics

Sunday, 26 October 2025

Buze Diriba headlined the 42nd edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon with a stunning sub-2:20 victory despite battling strong winds. The 31-year-old Ethiopian clocked 2:19:34, becoming one of the few women to break the 2:20 mark on the traditionally fast Frankfurt course. Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai (2:20:23) and Sharon Chelimo (2:20:29) completed the podium.

VIEW FRANKFURT MARATHON 2025 RESULTS

In the men’s race, Belay Asfaw delivered a surprise victory. The 29-year-old Ethiopian won in 2:06:16, ahead of compatriots Taresa Bekuma (2:07:01) and Shura Kitata (2:07:02), the 2017 champion, securing an all-Ethiopian podium.

A record 17,000 runners entered the marathon, with a total of 30,407 participants across all events. “We are delighted to have reached these numbers—this is a new dimension for our event,” said race director Jo Schindler.

Women’s Race

From the gun, Buze Diriba asserted control, setting a measured yet decisive tempo. Though her early pace was slower than planned, the strategy proved wise amid the chilly, gusty conditions. She passed halfway in 69:25, projecting a sub-2:19 finish.

Around 30 km, her lead narrowed to about 20 seconds as Masai and Chelimo closed in, but Diriba responded strongly to hold them off. “My goal was to run fast and challenge the course record, but my pacemaker dropped out with about 10 km to go. It became tough, so I focused on winning,” said Diriba, who celebrated her first sub-2:20 performance—the fifth-fastest women’s time ever recorded in Frankfurt and 15th on the 2025 world list.

Masai edged Chelimo for second by six seconds, with both finishing under 2:21. Eleven women dipped below 2:25:00, including Britain’s Abbie Donnelly, who ran 2:24:11 for eighth—a UK-leading mark for 2025, 14 seconds faster than Eilish McColgan’s London time in April. Donnelly now ranks ninth among European women this year.

Debutant Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth of Hungary impressed with 2:28:15 for 13th, while Germany’s Laura Hottenrott followed closely in 2:28:17.

Men’s Race

The men’s contest unfolded as a tactical battle against the wind. The leaders passed 10 km in 29:33, still on pace for sub-2:05, but headwinds soon slowed the tempo. Eleven athletes, including two pacemakers, reached halfway in 62:50.

Between 27 km and 28 km, Ethiopians Lulu Negera, Belay Asfaw, and Getachew Masresha broke away, hitting 30 km in 1:29:02. Behind them, Yismaw Yitayew surged and took the lead with 10 km remaining, while pre-race favourite Dejene Megersa dropped out. Asfaw counterattacked with a powerful surge—running 2:53 for the 37th kilometre—to reclaim the lead and win decisively in 2:06:16.

Despite the blustery conditions, five of the top ten men ran personal bests. “I was well prepared, and even with such a strong field, I believed victory was possible,” said Asfaw.

Germany’s Filimon Abraham, who aimed to better his 2:08:11 PB, faded slightly late but still placed ninth in 2:09:43, a strong performance despite his own disappointment.

Men Top Results:

1. Belay Asfaw ETH 2:06:16

2. Taresa Bekuma ETH 2:07:01

3. Shura Kitata ETH 2:07:02

4. Yismaw Yitayew ETH 2:07:20

5. Yasin Haji ETH 2:07:47

6. Masresha Getachew ETH 2:09:32

7. Timothy Misoi KEN 2.09:35

8. Edwin Kibichiy KEN 2:09:41

9. Filimon Abraham GER 2:09:43

10. Lulu Negera ETH 2:09:47

Women Top Results: