Press Release - Frankfurt Marathon - 10/21/19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                  Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday:
 
  World Class Lonah Salpeter brings yet more quality to strong Elite Field 
                              in Frankfurt
 
The addition of Lonah Salpeter completes the elite field for the Mainova 
Frankfurt Marathon which takes place next Sunday. The Kenyan-born runner 
who competes for Israel has a personal best of 2:19:46 which makes her the 
fastest woman ever to be on the start list of the Mainova Frankfurt 
Marathon. Among her rivals will be the course record holder and last year's 
women's champion, Meskerem Assefa from Ethiopia, who ran 2:20:36 here 12 
months ago. The men's race on Sunday features a rare, perhaps unique 
contest over the marathon distance: junior against veteran or masters world 
record holder - Tsegaye Mekonnen against Mark Kiptoo. Mekonnen of Ethiopia 
has a best of 2:04:32 which means he is the fastest man in the field while 
the Kenyan Kiptoo's personal best is 2:06:00.
 
Many athletes competing in Frankfurt will have their eyes on the qualifying 
times for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. The target for the men is 
2:11:30 and 2:29:30 for the women.
 
Around 14,000 entries are expected for the race. The Mainova Frankfurt 
Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label race, the highest category in international 
road running. Entry is still possible during the marathon expo on the days 
before the race. Details can be find here: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
 
Eight men with best times under 2:08 will be on the start line which 
suggests yet another high quality and exciting race for top honours in 
Frankfurt with finishing times to match. Tsegaye Mekonnen is looking to 
re-establish himself with a fast time after injury problems on a Mainova 
Frankfurt Marathon course renowned for speedy performances. The world 
masters record holder Mark Kiptoo, who set an age group record here last 
year, should also have a say in the outcome this time. If he can match his 
younger rivals, his own masters world record will be under pressure.
 
Given the extraordinary strength in depth of the women's race, the course 
record could well fall after just one year in existence - and the Mainova 
Frankfurt Marathon might record the first sub-2:20 women's time in its 
history. Four women who have run under 2:22 will be on the start line: 
alongside Israel's Lonah Salpeter (2:19:46) will be the title holder 
Meskerem Assefa of Ethiopia, who set the course record of 2:20:36 last 
year, the Kenyan Valary Aiyabei with a best of 2:20:53 and the Ethiopian 
Bedatu Hirpa (2:21:32). The latter finished third in Frankfurt last year. 
Another expected to produce a strong performance is the Ethiopian Megertu 
Kebede whose best is 2:22:52.
 
Two Europeans seeking both big improvements on their personal bests and the 
Olympic qualifying times will be Britain's Stephanie Twell (2:30:14) and 
the local runner Katharina Steinruck (2:28:34).
 
Leading Runners and their Personal Bests:
 
Men: 
Tsegaye Mekonnen      ETH 2:04:32
Mark Kiptoo           KEN 2:06:00
Dawit Wolde           ETH 2:06:18
Benard Kipyego        KEN 2:06:19
Fikre Tefera          ETH 2:06:27
Martin Kosgey         KEN 2:06:41
Tebalu Heyi           ETH 2:07:10
Kenneth Keter         KEN 2:07:34
Nicodemus Kimutai     KEN 2:10:00
Daniele Meucci        ITA 2:10:45
Blazej Brzezinski     POL 2:11:27
Fernando Cabada       USA 2:11:36
Bethwel Rutto         KEN 2:11:59
Mogos Solomon         ERI 2:12:23
Derek Hawkins         GBR 2:12:57
Adam Nowicki          POL 2:13:28
Homiyu Tesfaye        GER Debut
 
Women: 
Lonah Salpeter        ISR 2:19:46
Meskerem Assefa       ETH 2:20:36
Valary Aiyabei        KEN 2:20:53
Bedatu Hirpa          ETH 2:21:32
Megertu Kebede        ETH 2:22:52
Caroline Rotich       KEN 2:23:22
Askale Wegi           ETH 2:24:13
Sylvia Kibet          KEN 2:25:52
Antonia Kwambai       KEN 2:27:43
Katharina Steinruck   GER 2:28:34
Nataliya Lehonkova    UKR 2:28:58
Sylvia Medugu         KEN 2:29:09
Hanna Lindholm        SWE 2:29:34
Stephanie Twell       GBR 2:30:14
Samantha Bluske       USA 2:31:56
Hayley Carruthers     GBR 2:33:59
Aleksandra Brzezinska POL 2:34:51
 
More Information and online entry are available at: www.frankfurt-marathon.com  

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