Posted: October 28, 2004

Athletics: Banking On The Marathon

Frankfurt has the oldest city marathon in Germany – Sunday morning’s race will be the 24th - but in recent years, it has lagged behind Berlin, which it predates by six months. But the city that would be the banking capital of Europe is putting its money on the appropriately named EuroCity Marathon as a means of garnering the same sort of publicity that the celebrated Book Fair (latest edition two weeks ago) brings to Frankfurt.

Now in his third year as race director, Jo Schindler has already changed the course to good effect, with a record of 2hr 09min 28sec last year. Boaz Kimaiyo is back to defend his title and record, but faces a formidable elder colleague, Ondoro Osoro, whose record of being the world’s fastest marathon debutant – 2.06.54, in winning Chicago in 1998 – is matched only by his determination to continue a comeback after being shot by robbers four years ago. Osoro won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in 2.09.38 in San Diego last year.

Osoro’s manager, Noel Stoddart reports that the veteran runner came as close as any Kenyan does to predicting a good performance in Frankfurt. When asked about his chances last week, Osoro replied, “We’ll see in the race”. “That’s Kenyan code for expecting to do well,” says Stoddart.

As with most big city marathons, it’s difficult to see beyond a Kenyan winner in the men’s race, and Osoro’s colleagues, Fred Mogaka, John Rono, Simon Kasimili, and debutant, Eric Kiptoon are the likeliest challengers for the €10,000 first prize. The flat course and expected cool weather – 12-14C - also make the €25,000 for a course record a distinct possibility.

Frankfurt has one of the most unusual finishes for a marathon, a red carpet (literally) is laid from the street into the famous Messe, the city centre Exhibition Hall.

There will be 10,000 runners from over 60 nations, and race director Schindler says, “We aim for a mix of a good elite field, and a fast flat course with a good service for all runners. We want to grow”. (ends)