One of the benefits of race reports is that you learn from the experiences of other club members. As such, I knew the Frankfurt Marathon was fast, flat, and well organised and exactly what I was looking for after Manchester in April in what was to be my 11th marathon and 7th outside of the UK. What I didn’t expect however was for the race to start directly outside the very building I often travelled to on business!
Race expo is held in the Messe Festival Hall on Fri, Sat and unusually Sunday until just before race start which might be very handy if you wanted to arrive in Frankfurt late on Saturday. The Festival Hall itself is close to the central train station which has plenty of accommodation nearby and easy access for the airport. Number collection is very smooth as each desk has the capability of printing your race number so no standing in the queue for surnames N-S etc. The enormous bag drop is on the floor below the expo and is broken down to race numbers of only a few hundred. No queues to drop or collect – everything looking good.
As ever I was accompanied on my trip by Louise, and we had a plan for her to achieve a PB of up to 8 sightings along the course. This was made possible by a route which passes round areas of close proximity during the first and last 10km. That said we missed each other at a few locations but she successfully navigated the transport system to support me at the furthermost position on the course which was very welcome indeed given there is not that much there!
The race itself is as advertised – fast and flat. I can’t say it is particularly scenic although its tag line is ‘run the skyline’ as you get an impressive view of it on your return leg. Water and ISO drink is available at least every 5km together with tea and cola at some! My training block had gone well so my objective was to try and improve my PB and get closer to the elusive 3:30 marker. My pace was pretty well on point for 20m before slowing a little in the final stretch coming in with a time of 3:36:58 which did improve my PB by 2:30 and as I later found out, is currently a London GFA time by 2 secs (although I am realistic enough to know that probably would not get me a bib for the race in 2026).
Worth mentioning that the finish inside the Messe Festival Hall is pretty cool and unique. It is quite an exhilarating feeling as you enter this atmospheric space with a light show and red carpet over the last 60 yards of the race. Unfortunately, Louise missed out on her PB with 6 sightings as the live GPS tracking on the app stopped at 40kms as did apple tracking. She worried I had collapsed and was making her way to that area when my finish time popped up on her screen.
So that’s a wrap from Germany and it is back to Boston in April (along with Gareth Hiron, Greg Falconer and Louise of course) as I try to improve upon the time I set there back in 2022 having qualified with my time earlier this year in Manchester.
Results
1st Male: Benard Biwott (Ken) 02:05:54
1st Female Hawi Feysa Gejia (ETH) 02:17:25
3202/13438 Colin Ricketts 03:36:58 (M60 – 40/407)
Mit freundlichen Grüße
Colin
