Misoi, Mailu renew rivalry as Jepkesho headlines Frankfurt field

The contest for medals at the sharp end of the 40th edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 29 promises both exciting and fast competition.

Last year’s men’s champion Brimin Misoi renews his rivalry with runner-up Samwel Mailu, the latter arriving in Frankfurt with recent outstanding form.

Among the challengers to both Kenyans should be Guye Adola. The Ethiopian has a personal best of 2:03:46 which makes him among the fastest ever lining up for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.

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A close contest is also in prospect in the women’s race with five contenders holding personal bests (PB) of under 2:23:00. Visiline Jepkesho’s 2:21:37 is the fastest on the field. 

“With these strong elite fields, we hope to see a thrilling race once again. Frankfurt has often been a successful venue for German top runners. And with Simon Boch and Miriam Dattke now on the start list this tradition will hopefully continue,” said Jo Schindler, the Race Director.

Mailu, fresh from winning bronze at the World Half Marathon Championships, has shown brilliant form in the build-up to Frankfurt. He improved his PB in the 21km race to 59:19.

Meanwhile, Adola (2:03:46 PB), defending champion Misoi (2:06:11), and Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Uma (2:06:07) will have to be in their best form to beat him. Boch has been tipped to put on a show as he works to secure one of the three places on Germany’s men’s team for the Olympic Marathon. He has made a big improvement this year, running 2:09:25 in Linz.

In the women’s race, Jepkescho is the fastest with a personal best of 2:21:37 but there are six rivals who have similarly strong claims for the title. Among them is the reigning champion of the Vienna City Marathon, Magdalyne Masai, whose best is 2:22:16, as well as her Kenyan compatriot Agnes Keino, who broke the course record in Munich a year ago with 2:23:26.

Also, to note is the excellent form of Winfridah Moseti of Kenya who has run 2:23:38 and ran 66:40 at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, a performance over the shorter distance that promises much for the marathon.

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MEN

Guye Adola ETH 2:03:46

Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08

Mulugeta Uma ETH 2:06:07

Brimin Misoi KEN 2:06:11

Albert Kangogo KEN 2:07:48

Dominic Letting KEN 2:09:16

Simon Boch GER 2:09:25

Archie Casteel SWE 2:10:49

Tom Anderson GBR 2:12:07

Dominic Kiptarus KEN 2:12:46

Frank Schauer GER 2:13:41

 WOMEN

Visiline Jepkesho KEN 2:21:37

Magdalyne Masai KEN 2:22:16

Buzunesh Gudeta ETH 2:22:38

Paskalia Jepkogei KEN 2:22:47

Meseret Meleka ETH 2:22:52

Agnes Keino KEN 2:23:26

Winfridah Moseti KEN 2:23:38

Naom Jebet KEN 2:24:33

Viola Kibiwott KEN 2:24:54

Sharon Arusho KEN 2:25:20

Ayantu Demissie ETH 2:25:44

Matea Parlov Kostro CRO 2:25:45

Medina Armino ETH 2:26:12

Stephanie Twell GBR 2:26:40

Miriam Dattke GER 2:26:50

Viktoriia Kaliuzhna UKR 2:27:05