Frankfurt Marathon to feature Germany’s top three marathoners

The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, scheduled for October 25, will feature a highly competitive field of elite runners. For the first time, Germany’s three fastest marathon runners of all time—Amanal Petros, Samuel Fitwi, and Richard Ringer—will compete together in a city marathon.

Defending champion Benard Biwott of Kenya is set to return to Frankfurt. Biwott, who won the 2024 race with a time of 2:05:54, holds a personal best of 2:05:25 set in Paris. Other notable male contenders include Ethiopia’s Andualem Belay, who holds a personal best of 2:04:44, and Haimro Alame, who represents Israel.

In the women’s field, Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer leads the start list with a personal best of 2:18:47. She is one of three women with personal bests under 2:20:00. Additionally, German runner Blanka Dörfel is scheduled to make her marathon debut at the event. Race Director Jo Schindler noted that while focus will be on the top German runners, they face a formidable international field.