Despite strong winds, Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba triumphed at the 42nd Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, winning the women’s race in a personal best of 2:19:34—her first time breaking the 2:20 barrier. Kenyans Magdalyne Masai (2:20:23) and Sharon Chelimo (2:20:29) followed closely, rounding out a fiercely competitive podium.
Ethiopian Runners Dominate Windy Frankfurt Marathon
In the men’s race, 29-year-old Ethiopian Belay Asfaw emerged as the surprise champion, clocking 2:06:16. Fellow Ethiopians Taresa Bekuma (2:07:01) and 2017 winner Shura Kitata (2:07:02) completed an all-Ethiopian top three.
A record 17,000 runners registered for the marathon, with total participation—including shorter distance events—reaching 30,407. “We are happy that we have reached these figures. This is a new dimension,” said Race Director Jo Schindler.
Frankfurt Marathon 2025 Women’s Race Highlights
Buze Diriba led from the start, pacing herself wisely in the chilly, blustery conditions. Her halfway split of 69:25 put her on track for a sub-2:19 finish. Though Masai and Chelimo narrowed the gap around the 30 km mark, Diriba surged again to secure victory.
“It was my aim to run a fast time and attack the course record,” Diriba said. “But with 10 km to go, my pacemaker dropped out. I focused on winning the race.”
Her time ranks 15th on the 2025 world list and is the fifth-fastest ever run in Frankfurt.
Other standout performances:
– Abbie Donnelly (Britain) placed eighth in 2:24:11, the fastest UK women’s marathon time this year—14 seconds ahead of Eilish McColgan’s London result.
– Lili Anna Vindics-Toth (Hungary) debuted with 2:28:15 (13th place).
– Laura Hottenrott (Germany) finished 14th in 2:28:17.
Men’s Race Highlights
The men’s lead pack passed 10 km in 29:33, aiming for a sub-2:05 finish. However, headwinds from 14 km slowed the pace. Eleven runners reached halfway in 62:50.
Between 27–30 km, Ethiopians Lulu Negera, Belay Asfaw, and Getachew Masresha broke away. Yismaw Yitayew later surged to the front, but Asfaw’s decisive 2:53 split for the 37th km sealed his victory.
“I was well prepared, and despite the strong field, the victory came as no surprise to me,” said Asfaw.
Five of the top ten men achieved personal bests, including Germany’s Filimon Abraham, who finished ninth in 2:09:43—just shy of his PB due to late-race fatigue.
Results: Frankfurt Marathon 2025 Top 10 Men
1. Belay Asfaw ETH 2:06:16
2. Taresa Bekuma ETH 2:07:01
3. Shura Kitata ETH 2:07:02
4. Yismaw Yitayew ETH 2:07:20
5. Yasin Haji ETH 2:07:47
6. Masresha Getachew ETH 2:09:32
7. Timothy Misoi KEN 2.09:35
8. Edwin Kibichiy KEN 2:09:41
9. Filimon Abraham GER 2:09:43
10. Lulu Negera ETH 2:09:47
Frankfurt Marathon 2025 Top 10 Women:
1. Buze Diriba ETH 2:19:34
2. Magdalyne Masai KEN 2:20:23
3. Sharon Chelimo KEN 2:20:29
4. Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:21:40
5. Mehret Robe ETH 2:23:29
6. Ayinadis Birle ETH 2:23:50
7. Dagnachew Asegu ETH 2:24:05
8. Abbie Donnelly GBR 2:24:11
9. Gladys Jeptepkeny KEN 2:24:52
10. Pascaline Kibiwott KEN 2:24:56
