Frankfurt marathon champion celebrates win with face-plant

Everyone dreams of how they will celebrate when they cross the finish line, but for Selly Kaptich of Kenya, who won Sunday’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon, her celebration did not go as planned as she face-planted into the ground.

Frankfurt Marathon winner Selly Kaptich trips and falls on her face after crossing the finish line. Looks like she’s okay though. ?‍? pic.twitter.com/1o1Mru1nQJ

— Jason Henderson (@Jason_AW) October 30, 2022

The 37-year-old marathoner, who trains with NN Running Team, won the race in 2:23:11. She was on pace for a sub-2:20 result and a course record until late in the race, when temperatures reached a record high for Oct. 30 of 22 C. 

As Kaptich crossed the finish line, the individuals holding the winner’s tape let go of it too early, resulting in her taking a tumble. Kaptich took the fall like a champ and immediately stuck her arms in the air. 

Brimin Misoi of Kenya was the surprise winner of the men’s race, clocking a three-minute best to win in 2:06:11 on Sunday afternoon. This was his first marathon win since 2019, when he won the Nairobi Marathon in 2:10:43. 

Brimin Kipkorir Misoi and Selly Chepyego Kaptich achieve Kenyan double at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon with 2:06:11 and 2:23:11.

?: Mainova Frankfurt Marathon

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 30, 2022

The marathon just happens to be one of four running distances where you commonly see these face-plants happen. The other three have to be cross-country, the 400m and the 800m. In all these distances, your legs are completely tied up at the end, and adding a finishing tape into the mix doesn’t help.