Kiptanui, Masai among elite athletes announced for Frankfurt Marathon
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 30.08.24. | 16:27
Brimin Misoi and Buzunesh Getachew won last year's races in 2:04:53 and 2:19:27 respectively
Barcelona Marathon 2019 champion Eric Kiptanui and former world 10000m champion Linet Masai headline this year’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon set for 27 October.
A group of athletes who have already achieved world-class performances over different distances have been announced for the race with the two Kenyans set to face stiff competition from Ethiopians.
“We are looking forward to another high-class race that will certainly hold one or two surprises. After having the fastest race in the event's history last year, we are excited to see what will be possible," said Race Director Jo Schindler.
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Kiptanui, who in 2021, secured his first medal at a World Marathon Major by finishing third at the 2021 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:06:51, will be up against Herpasa Negasa, the fastest elite runner announced so far.
The Ethiopian made his breakthrough in 2019 at the high-profile Dubai Marathon, improving his time to 2:03:40, and has posted good results since. He will look to emulate his training partners including Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and Boston Marathon winner Sisay Lemma.
Kiptanui also comes with a wealth of experience and role models to boot as he is part of the sought-after NN Running Team. In 2018, he stormed into the top half-marathon world rankings.
The 34-year-old Kenyan first won in Lisbon and then set the course record of 58:42 minutes in Berlin, which still stands to date. The Boston Marathon fifth-place finisher in 2022 had a quiet 2023 and is looking to find his form in Frankfurt.
Masai, who made her marathon debut in Amsterdam 2018, has had a relatively quiet career in the classic distance and has her work cut out as she takes on
Tigist Abayechew, the other elite runner announced for the women’s race, so far.
The 30-year-old Ethiopian ran a 2:18:03 in Berlin two years ago, taking third place. After a break due to injury, she was able to make a comeback in March at the Tokyo Marathon, finishing ninth.
