Mainova Frankfurt Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary

The course: fast. The atmosphere at the edge of the track: fantastic. The finish: overwhelming. Over 27,000 participants are expected again this year at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. In good weather, around 400,000 spectators and over 80 action points and bands are waiting for the participants along the route and ensure Frankfurt’s largest street festival.

“The Frankfurt Marathon is a fixture in our city. I would like to congratulate you on your 40th anniversary and I am delighted that several thousand participants from all over the world will be visiting Frankfurt again on the last weekend in October and will be walking through the streets of our city. I wish all participants and the spectators along the route an unforgettable marathon festival,” says Lord Mayor Mike Josef.

The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is a major sporting event with a long tradition in Frankfurt am Main. The running classic was held for the first time in 1981 and thus played a pioneering role in Germany. Frankfurt was the first city in the Federal Republic to close streets for runners and allow a marathon in the city center. The marathon weekend in 2023 will be in the spirit of the anniversary: an 80s festival awaits the participants along the route, the history of the marathon will be on show in the form of a large exhibition at the marathon fair. Of course there will be a special gift for the marathon runners too.

“This year we will experience a very special Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. We look forward to offering the participants a great anniversary festival with a colourful supporting programme. On the last Sunday in October, the streets of Frankfurt belong to the runners and the Frankfurt Festhalle will be the final, emotional highlight of the 42.195 kilometers. Preparations are already in full swing,” says race director Jo Schindler.

The unchanged, flat route in Frankfurt promises best times for elite and amateur athletes alike. “We deliberately offer a big runner’s festival for everyone, this applies to the top athletes at the top, to the ambitious recreational athletes and to all the runners who simply enjoy running through such an exciting city as the Main metropolis without traffic.” In addition to popular sport, top-class sport will once again find a perfectly organized stage in the banking city this year. The professional organisation is crowned again this year by World Athletics’ award of the “World Athletics Elite Label”. This means that the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon will again be one of the top marathon races in the world in 2023.

At the 40th edition of the marathon in the Main metropolis, the participants can expect an unforgettable running weekend for the whole family. The “marathonmall” sporting goods fair opens its doors on Friday and is open up to and including Sunday. Here endurance enthusiasts can get on the trail of the latest trends, just look around and be inspired, or directly consume the products of the exhibitors.

The popular Fattoria La Vialla – Toscana Pasta Party will also take place again. Here the guests can load up on carbohydrates on the day before the marathon and chat with other runners in an atmospheric atmosphere or watch the entertainment on the stage. If you want to go on a relaxed run around the Main on Saturdays, the free Pretzel Run powered by interair is just the thing for you. At a relaxed pace, a five-kilometer circuit awaits you at the finish line with delicious fresh pretzels and the unique Pretzel Run medal.

For all those who do not yet dare to run the full marathon distance, there will also be the opportunity in 2023 to start the relay marathon as a quartet of runners and get a taste of marathon life. The mini marathon and the Struwwelpeter run are aimed at children aged 5 to 17 who love to run. Of course, the little ones also get to run into the magnificently lit festival hall just like the adults.