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Editor’s note: The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is one of the world’s finest road races. I went to the race for a decade and loved it! Strong fields, a historic course, great food, and yes, the beer. The course is iconic, and many run fast times!
Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on 25 October:
Fastest men’s field ever in Frankfurt, former winner Meskerem Assefa returns
The fastest men’s field in the event’s history will compete at the 43rd Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on 25 October. For the first time, four runners on the start list have personal bests under 2:05:00, and another four have run under 2:07:00. There are now five women in the elite field with personal records under 2:22:00. This makes it the second-fastest women’s line-up in the race’s history. In 2025, six athletes had such PBs.
“Overall, this is surely the fastest elite field we have ever assembled for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. I am very pleased that the German men are playing a major role and I expect a thrilling top-class race,” said Jo Schindler, who is in his 25th year as Race Director of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.
European Champion Amanal Petros leads the start list with his German record of 2:04:03. Ethiopia’s Andualem Belay and Petros’ fellow Germans Samuel Fitwi and Richard Ringer have also run under 2:05:00.
Meskerem Assefa’s place in the women’s elite field has now been confirmed. Because of significantly stricter visa requirements, which all European running events are currently facing, it was initially uncertain whether the Ethiopian could travel to Germany. Organizers have now secured a visa for Assefa. With a personal best of 2:20:36, she is the third-fastest runner on the start list behind fellow Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer (2:18:47) and Betsy Saina of the US (2:19:17). Meanwhile, Buzunesh Getachew of Ethiopia, the 2023 winner, had to withdraw due to an injury. Germany’s Blanka Dörfel is expected to make a strong debut on 25 October.
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