Kenyan Brimin Misoi on Sunday wonthe 39th Frankfurt marathon men’s title in an official time of two hours, six minutes and 11 seconds.
Samwel Mailu, the 2022 Hamburg half-marathon champion, and Dersee Ulfata made it an East African podium sweep. Mailu finished second in 2:07:19. Ulfta from Ethiopia took third psoition in 2:7:03.
German Hendrik Pfeiffer was the top European, placing seventh in 2:11:28. The top nine positions were dominated by Kenyans.
Misoi went through 35km in 1:43:33 and although he wasn’t able to maintain that pace, he clocked 1:59:12 for 40km and then set the fifth fastest winning time in Frankfurt.
In women’s race, Selly Kaptich held off a field made of youngsters to win the race in 2:24:40. The 37-year old marathoner came into the race as the fastest woman in the field.
Her best of 2:21:09 was expected to be under threat given the reputation for Frankfurt’s fast course, but the slow pace didn’t make the challenge achievable.
Kaptich’s compatriots Helah Kiprop and Jackline Chepngeno followed in second and third with 2:24:40 and 2.25:14 respectively.
In unusually warm weather conditions with temperatures around 20 Celsius in the final section of the elite race most of the runners slowed considerably.
Official results men: 1. Brimin Misoi KEN 2:06:11 2. Samwel Mailu KEN 2:07:19 3. Derese Ulfata ETH 2:07:30 4. Balew Derseh ETH 2:09:21 5. Martin Kosgey KEN 2:10:22 6. Bonface Kiplimo KEN 2:11:08 7. Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 2:11:28 8. Stephen Mugambi KEN 2:11:34
Official results women: 1. Selly Kaptich KEN 2:23:11 2. Helah Kiprop KEN 2:24:40 3. Jackline Chepngego KEN 2:25:14 4. Sofiia Yaremchuk ITA 2:25:36 5. Caroline Jepchirchir KEN 2:27:58 6. Sardana Trofimova KGZ 2:28:50 7. Meseret Alemu ETH 2:29:21 8. Martha Akeno KEN 2:36:33
