by Larry Eder
Bobby Curtis, 4th place, Mainova Frankfurt, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mainova Frankfurt Elite start, photo by PhotoRun.net
The 35th annual Mainova Frankfurt Marathon was a huge success yesterday. With the new sponsor, Mainova, and a five year contract with ASICS, Frankfurt is in a strong economic footing. The times were better than some of the World Marathon Majors, the weather was just about perfect, and the course, through the streets of a very old, historic German city, are surprisingly fast.
Much of the credit for the success of the Mainova Frankfurt marathon goes to Race Director Jo Schindler and elite race manager Christophe Kopp and their teams.
Here are the five lessons that I learnt about Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.
Updated November 1, 2016.
1. Putting together Mark Korir, Martin Kosgey and Cybrian Kotut on the men’s side created a fine race up front. Christophe Kopp is the elite manager at Mainova Frankfurt. For many years, he put together the Berlin Marathon field. From his managing of pace makers, to his managing of the fields, Christophe Kopp understands how to put together exciting races up front.
2. On the women’s side, Mamitu Daska, and Fate Tola were great stories, and Lindsay Flanagan, another American in fourth (in a PB) will open Frankfurt to many American eyes. Again, Christophe Kopp and his team put together a fine women’s field. Fate Tola’s first race as a German was followed by many. Her near win will be a big story. The battle between Charlotte Purdue, Martina Strehl, Lindsay Flanagan, and Mona Stockhecke was compelling. All of this is part of the ingrediants that a successful elite manager puts together to bring excitement to an elite race.
3. German marathon racing is healthy, and the sport continues to grow. The marathon relay and marathon were quite popular here. In the marathon, it was 74 percent men and 26 percent women. Women’s running will continue to grow here. German runners are much more serious than American runners, who, in many cases, do not seem interested in their times, but more interested in participation. The sport maintains, from viewing the expo, a nice balance of the global sport and the local sport.
4. Frankfurt Marathon is a healthy marathon. With fine performances upfront, and nearly 16,000 marathoners, the Frankfurt marathon is healthy. Sponsors like Mainova, ASICS, BMW, Schneider Electric all add to the many levels of support a marathon must have. The fast races yesterday show that, like Maraton de Paris, Frankfurt is another example of health of the sport outside of World Marathon Majors. Jo Schindler, the long time race director, lives and breathes his race all year long.
5. Attention to detail is key in a marathon’s success. The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon HQ hotel is Movenpick. The start and finish are just minutes from the hotel. The rooms in the hotel are clean, modern and with workable wifi. The buffet in the hotel means that racers, elite and not so elite are among the best fed in the world. Little things like that, plus a huge shopping center across the street mean that families can be entertained as well. Little things like this add to the success of a marathon, as many bring their families and friends to cheer them on during their journeys over 42.2 kilometers.
