by Larry EderThe 2019 Mainova Frankfurt Marathon begins, for the media, with the first of two pressers on Thursday, October 24, 2019.
Jo Schindler, Race Director, and Christoph Kopp, elite athlete coordinator, hosted Mark Kiptoo, former Frankfurt champion and WR Masters marathon, and German chammpion Katherina (nee Heinig) Steinruck, for a presser aimed at the German media.
Mark Kiptoo, quite eloquent, spoke of how well his training has gone, with Micah Kogo. He spoke of 40k runs, speed work and total focus on gaining his shape for Frankfurt. Mark’s confidence was evident, but he also elicited some concern as he spoke of going out in 62:30, with the top athletes, instead of 64:00, as suggested by Christoph Kopp.
Mark Kiptoo, photo by PhotoRun.net
How fast can Mark Kiptoo go? He suggests a time that is better than his 2:07.50 Masters’ WR. He did not seem to scare when asked if he could go under 2:06:00 from Eindhoven in 2015.
Katherina Heinig (now Steinruck), 2018 German championship, photo by PhotoRun.net
Katherina Steinruck has one goal, to get as fast under the Olympic standard of 2:29:30 that she can. Melat Kejeta leads German women with her excellent 2:23.57 from Berlin ( 29 September). Katherina has PB of 2:28.34. Steinruck is coached by her mother, Katrin Dorre-Heinig, the top German women marathoner in the 1980s-1990s.
How will Katherina fare in Frankfurt? We think quite well. Her PBs this season should open some eyes. Taking 3rd on 8 June in the German Champs 10,000m in 33:15.18. On 13 September, Katherina ran a PB of 32:47. On 15 October, Katherina followed up with a fine PB of 32:39. And finally, her 1:12.23 Half marathon PB on 21 September shows a high level of fitness. I think a 2:27 time may be in the cards.
Enjoy the presser below, mostly in German but with some good comments in English.
