Can Frankfurt deliver a record-breaking marathon?

The 43rd edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, could produce several record performances, provided the weather cooperates. Four men on the elite start list have personal bests under 2:05:00, making this the fastest men’s field in the event’s history.

The German record is under threat, while the European record could also come into play. Both course records — 2:03:42 in the men’s race and 2:17:25 in the women’s — could be challenged. The women’s race could also produce one of the fastest marathon debuts by a German woman, while the men’s race may feature a world-best performance in the M50 age category.

Much will depend on the weather. If wet, cold and windy conditions persist on Sunday morning, breaking records will be extremely difficult. However, if the weather improves in time, conditions could be ideal for outstanding performances.

Organizers have recorded a record 19,720 entries from 128 nations for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.

“We are absolutely delighted with this record number of entries. Over the past 25 years, we have taken the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon to a whole new level in every aspect,” said Race Director Jo Schindler, who will step down from his role following Sunday’s race.

The marathon will be streamed live on the event’s website and will also be available internationally in many countries: www.frankfurt-marathon.com.

Men’s race

The spotlight will be on three of Germany’s fastest marathon runners of all time. Amanal Petros, who confidently secured his first major international title at the European Championships in Birmingham in August, holds the German record at 2:04:03. Samuel Fitwi finished second in Hamburg in April with a personal best of 2:04:45, which is also the fastest German marathon time recorded this year.

Richard Ringer, the 2022 European Marathon Champion in Munich, has an official personal best of 2:05:46. However, he ran 2:04:47 in Boston this spring on a course that is not eligible for record purposes.

“My training in Kenya went very well. If the weather is on my side, it could happen,” said Petros when asked whether he could challenge the European record of 2:03:36 in addition to his own German record of 2:04:03. A successful attempt would also lower the Frankfurt course record of 2:03:42, set by Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang in 2011.

“I have been dreaming of breaking the European record for several years now,” Petros said.

However, the European champion will face a determined domestic rival in Fitwi, who is keen to join the leading group.

“If the weather is good, the German record is within reach on the flat course in Frankfurt. I am well prepared and definitely want to beat my personal best,” Fitwi said.

Ringer, meanwhile, is not expected to challenge the leaders at the same pace.

“I had a muscle problem after the European Marathon Championships. I then took quite a risk preparing for Frankfurt, but thankfully it worked very well. I do not expect to be running right at the front on Sunday and will probably go with a second group,” Ringer said.

Two international contenders who could spoil the German ambitions are Ethiopia’s Andualem Belay, who has a personal best of 2:04:44, and Kenya’s Benard Biwott.

Biwott sprang a surprise by winning his marathon debut in Frankfurt two years ago in 2:05:54. He went on to win the Paris Marathon in 2025, improving his personal best to 2:05:25.

“My aim is to win on Sunday. I think I can achieve a time of around 2:04:00,” Biwott said.

Another potential highlight could come from 50-year-old Mark Kiptoo. The Kenyan won the Frankfurt Marathon in 2014 and returned four years later to set a masters world record of 2:07:50.

Now competing in the M50 age category, Kiptoo is targeting another age-group record. The current world best is held by South Africa’s Titus Mamabolo, who ran 2:19:29 in Durban in 1991.

Women’s race

The women’s field features two athletes with personal bests under 2:20:00. Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer has run 2:18:47, while American Betsy Saina has a best of 2:19:17.

Kenya’s Marion Kibor, who improved to 2:21:12 in Hamburg this spring, is another strong contender. Former Frankfurt winner Meskerem Assefa of Ethiopia is also returning to the race. Assefa set her current personal best of 2:20:36 when she won here in 2018.

Yimer, 28, ran 2:18:47 to finish third in Barcelona this spring but suffered misfortune at the Berlin Marathon four weeks ago, where stomach problems forced her to withdraw.

“Now I want to make the most of the flat course in Frankfurt and set a personal best. I have also got my sights set on the course record and want to break that mark as well,” Yimer said.

The women’s course record stands at 2:17:25, set by her compatriot Hawi Feysa when she won in Frankfurt two years ago.

Following a maternity break, Saina is looking to make a strong comeback on Sunday. The American, who is originally from Kenya, is targeting a half-marathon split of approximately 70 minutes. Kibor is also aiming to break the 2:20:00 barrier.

Germany’s Blanka Dörfel could be a surprise contender. The 24-year-old is taking a relaxed approach to her marathon debut.

“I will be running without a watch and will trust my instincts,” Dörfel said.

That approach has already served her well on several occasions. Her half-marathon personal best of 68:08, set in nearby Mainz this spring, suggests she has the potential to produce an impressive debut.

The fastest marathon debut by a German woman to date belongs to Melat Kejeta, who ran 2:23:57 in Berlin in 2019. Dörfel will have that benchmark in sight as she makes her first attempt at the classic distance.

Elite runners and personal bests

Men

Women

Further information: www.frankfurt-marathon.com