Kaptich, Kiprop to battle for Frankfurt Marathon title on Sunday

This year's Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, scheduled for 30 October, will see the second best women's field ever assembled for the race take to the course on the streets of the Germany city. 

Berlin Marathon 2019 bronze medalist, Kenya's Sally Kaptich headlines the elite women's list that had eight runners who have broken 2:25.

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Kaptich's personal best of 2:21:06, achieved in Berlin three years ago puts her in pole position but she faces stiff competition from second placed Ethiopian runner Yeshi Chekole whose time is only 11 seconds slower. 

The 25-year-old Chekole finished third at the Zurich marathon in February this year, setting her PB. She also won the half marathon at Meta time trial by Asics held on 24 April in 1:07.30. 

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Also in the running for a podium place is Kenya’s World Championship silver medallist from 2015, Helah Kiprop who holds the third fastest PB on the field at 2:21:27. 

While this trio is likely to be disputing top honours, Germany’s Laura Hottenrott will hope to take advantage of Frankfurt’s fast course where so many personal bests have been achieved, aiming to improve her time of 2:28:02.

Only once previously has the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon had more than eight women entered with personal bests of under 2:25 and that was in 2018 when ten athletes were on the start line.

The strength in depth among the elite raises hopes for an exciting as well as high quality race. 

For the 39th edition of the race, organizers are expecting around 12,000 participants. Taking into account events held in conjunction, some 20,000 runners will be involved. 

This historic race is one of the Elite Label Road Race events, recognized by World Athletics, the governing body of international athletics.

 “After a break of two years, caused by the Corona pandemic, we’ve been able to put together strong elite fields and we’ll have a big, impressive field of mass runners on the start line. We’re looking forward to a Mainova Frankfurt Marathon which will continue the tradition of past events and again prove a big thrill for participants and spectators alike,” said the Race Director Jo Schindler.

 Elite Women:

Sally Kaptich KEN 2:21:06

Yeshi Chekole ETH 2:21:17

Helah Kiprop KEN 2:21:27

Atalel Anmut ETH 2:22:21

Juliet Chekwel UGA 2:23:13

Jackline Chepngeno KEN 2:24:21

Serdana Trofimova KGZ 2:24:38

Zinash Lema ETH 2:24:55

Meseret Abebayehu ETH 2:25:18

Caroline Jepchirchir KEN 2:26:11

Laura Hottenrott GER 2:28:02

Gladys Chepkurui KEN 2:28:55

Martha Akeno KEN 2:29:00

Sofiya Yaremchuk ITA 2:29:12

Thea Heim GER 2:36:10