FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 29:
Mailu in promising form, Boch and Dattke added to 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. A close
contest is also in prospect in the women's race with five contenders
showing personal bests of under 2:23:00. The latest additions to the
line-ups are homegrown with Simon Boch joining the men's field and Miriam
Dattke, fourth in the European Championships in the women's event last
year, both among Germany's top distance performers. They have every
intention of making good use of Frankfurt's historically fast course in
seeking qualification for the Olympic Marathon in Paris next year.
Taking into account all events held in conjunction, the organizers of the
40th Mainova Frankfurt Marathon expect around 25,000 participants. Among
them will be 13,000 for the marathon. The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is an
Elite Label Race of World Athletics, the sport's governing federation.
Entries are still available at: www.frankfurt-marathon.com
"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 of the Mainova
Frankfurt Marathon.
One of the leading contenders, Samwel Mailu, has shown brilliant form in
the build-up to Frankfurt. The Kenyan sprang a surprise in winning the
bronze medal at the World Half Marathon Championships at the beginning of
October, improving his best to 59:19. This performance suggests that he is
ready for a fast race beside the River Main. His rivals such as Guye Adola
(2:03:46 pb), defending champion Brimin Misoi (2:06:11) and Ethiopia's
Mulugeta Uma (2:06:07) will have to be on their best form to beat him.
Simon Boch could well cause a surprise by securing 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.
Visiline Jepkescho of Kenya is the fastest woman in the field with a
personal best of 2:21:37 but there are another 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 which
promises much for the marathon.
Two more strong contenders are in the women's race: European silver
medallist Matea Parlov Kostro from Croatia (2:25:45 pb) and Britiain's
Steph Twell (2:26:40). Four years ago in Frankfurt, the latter ran the
Olympic qualifying time for Tokyo. The latest addition is Miriam Dattke who
has shown the potential to improve still further at the marathon. She
proved this at last year's European Championships in Munich where she
narrowly missed the bronze medal, finishing fourth as the best German
runner. Her current best is 2:26:50 but many consider the 25-year-old
capable of running considerably faster.
Elite runners with personal bests
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
Further information and online registration can be found at:
www.frankfurt-marathon.com
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