This is what elite athletes at Mainova Frankfurt Marathon say about the upcoming race. Let’s see, whose hopes will be fulfilled on Sunday.
WOMEN
F3 Mamitu Daska (Ethiopia)
PB 2:21:59, winner Frankfurt 2011
„I hope to repeat my victory from 2011. If the weather is fine I want to break the course record of 2:21:01. I prepared myself over three months for Frankfurt. I ran close to 200 kilometres per week and had several fast training runs over 25 and 35 kilometres.”
F4 Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia)
PB 2:24:00, 4th Dubai Marathon 2016
“I want to run fast and improve my personal best. It’s my third marathon this year, also my third marathon overall. I made some mistakes in my first marathons and ran too aggressive. Now I have more experience. I will stick to my plan and cover the first half in 71 minutes. I’ve already won ten races in Germany. The audience was always great here. Many people know me already. For me, running in Germany feels almost like being at home.”
F7 Fate Tola (Germany)
PB 2:15:14 (Berlin 2012), first marathon as a German citizen
“Each competition is exciting, but I don’t feel a different pressure compared to other marathons. My preparation was good. I’ve been at altitude training in St. Moritz for three weeks in August and September. I want to start cautious so that I can run strongly after 30-35 kilometres. My plan is to cover the first half in 72:30 to 73 minutes. I don’t think about the German championships or times during the race. I just concentrate on running.”
MEN
2 Tadesse Tola (Ethiopia)
PB 2:04:49, 3rd Dubai Marathon 2013
“I have trained very well. My shape is better than last year and maybe even better than in 2011. That year I was second in Frankfurt. My goal is to run a personal best.”
3 Mark Korir (Kenia)
PB 2:05:49, winner Paris Marathon 2015
„When I race in Paris, I didn’t expect to win. Now I have more experience and I believe I can run better than 2:05. If the weather is fine and if we work together we can run a fast time on Sunday.”
4 Cybrian Kotut (Kenia)
PB 2:07:11, winner Paris Marathon 2016
Younger brother of Martin Lel, multiple winner at London Marathon (2005, 2006, 2007) and New York City Marathon (2003, 2007).
“When I saw the success of my brother it gave me strong confidence that I have talent as well, even before I started racing. That was always my moral. My brother has always played a huge role in my career, and he still does. Martin is so close to me. He knows everything about races. Before I go to any race, he gives me advice. He said I should go and run Frankfurt because of the fast times that were produced here. His general advice for races is: “Stay keen, stay in the group, try to follow the leaders.” I’m still learning in the marathon from my fellow colleagues. I don’t have much experience in the marathon yet. I believe I can run a lot faster than 2:07 at my win in Paris.”
