The world-class Kenyan runners Wilson Chebet and Betsy Saina are the latest entries for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 28. The addition of these top flight athletes completes the elite field for this longstanding event, ensuring that a high quality field will once again be on the start line beside the River Main on the last Sunday in October. Twelve men are included with personal bests under 2:10 while ten women have broken 2:25 in their careers.
The organizers expect around 15,000 entries for the 37th edition of German’s oldest city marathon. The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label race, the highest category in international road running. Entry is still possible at: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
With a strong personal best of 2:05:27 Wilson Chebet is now the fastest on the Frankfurt start list as unfortunately Guye Adola of Ethiopia had to withdraw due to a health issue. The 33-year-old Kenyan is aiming to regain top form on Frankfurt’s fast course after a period short of his best. Chebet achieved a hat-trick of wins at the Amsterdam Marathon from 2011 to 2013. One of Chebet’s rivals is Ethiopia’s Kelkile Gezahegn, who has a PB of 2:05:56 and was second in Frankfurt last year.
For the first time in Frankfurt a woman with a personal best of sub-2:20 will be on the start line with the presence of the 2015 World marathon champion Mare Dibaba. The Ethiopian showed good form last Sunday in winning the Glasgow Half Marathon in 69:15 and her marathon best is 2:19:52.
Although a group of world-class Ethiopians with personal bests under 2:22 will pose a strong challenge, Betsy Saina should also be a contender. The 30-year-old Kenyan finished fifth in the 10,000m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and in April this year achieved her marathon breakthrough with victory in Paris in 2:22:56. Her target is now to break 2:20. Given good conditions, the women’s course record of 2:21:01 should come under pressure on October 28. The current best was set by the Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu in 2012.
Germany’s Katharina Heinig has made a late decision to run. The Frankfurt-based runner finished 16th at the European Championship marathon in Berlin in August and suffered in the heat. Now she is aiming for sub-2:30 in front of her home fans
Leading Runners and their Personal Bests:
Men:
Wilson Chebet KEN 2:05:27
Kelkile Gezahegn ETH 2:05:56
Gilbert Yegon KEN 2:06:18
Martin Kosgey KEN 2:07:22
Arne Gabius GER 2:08:33
Bira Seboka ETH 2:08:51
Weldon Kirui KEN 2:09:06
Hiroyuki Yamamoto JPN 2:09:12
Tsedat Abeye Ayana ETH 2:09:26
Tadashi Isshiki JPN 2:09:43
Akinobou Murasawa JPN 2:09:47
Amos Mitei KEN 2:09:56
Vincent Yator KEN 2:10:38
Alex Kibet KEN Debut
Asefa Tefera ETH Debut
Kenneth Keter KEN Debut
Women:
Mare Dibaba ETH 2:19:52
Haftamnesh Tesfay ETH 2:20:13
Dera Dida ETH 2:21:45
Meskerem Assefa ETH 2:21:45
Betsy Saina KEN 2:22:56
Valentine Kipketer KEN 2:23:02
Abebech Afework ETH 2:23:33
Nancy Kiprop KEN 2:24:18
Belaynesh Oljira ETH 2:24:21
Reia Iwade JPN 2:24:38
Bedatu Hirpa Badane ETH 2:25:50
Janet Rono KEN 2:26:03
Sara Hall USA 2:26:20
Gladys Tejeda PER 2:28:12
Katharina Heinig GER 2:28:34
Sylvia Medugu KEN 2:29:09
Lindsay Flanagan USA 2:29:28
More Information and online entry are available at: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
