Ethiopia's Jirata Dinki won the 43rd Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday in 2:05:26, a personal best by almost three minutes, in a race run in rain, wind and standing water. The men's contest was not settled until about 40 kilometres, when Dinki pulled clear of Germany's Amanal Petros, who finished second in 2:05:46. Kenya's Benard Biwott, the 2024 champion, was third in 2:06:23 after hoping to win the title back.
Petros's runner-up finish carried particular weight at home. The European champion became the first German man on the Frankfurt podium in more than 25 years, according to the organisers, and led a strong domestic showing. Richard Ringer was fifth in 2:07:07 and Samuel Fitwi seventh in 2:08:57, giving the host nation three men in the top seven on a day when the conditions made fast times difficult.
In the women's race, Ethiopia's Zeineba Yimer won in 2:19:45, 61 seconds clear of Germany's Blanka Dörfel, who ran 2:20:46 on her marathon debut. Beriha Gebreslasie, aged 20, completed an Ethiopian presence on the podium by taking third in 2:22:46, with Aselef Amare, Siranesh Yirga and Mehret Gemeda following in fourth to sixth. Dörfel's performance is covered in a separate report.
No world, European or national records were reported in Frankfurt, given the weather, but the depth of the results was strong. Dinki's 2:05:26 came on a day when rain, wind and surface water slowed the field, which makes the personal best all the more notable.
British runners were led home by Annabel Gummow, 10th in the women's race in 2:31:10, and by Daniel Hamilton, 17th overall in 2:17:58, with Sam Eglen 18th in 2:18:17. For Dinki and Yimer, the wins add a major road title to the autumn schedule before attention turns to the TCS New York City Marathon on 1 November.