by Larry EderTwo of the finest world records in recent memory, the women’s pole vault and the women’s steeplechase…
TWO WORLD RECORDS APPROVED
MOSCOW (RUS): Russian website Rusathletics.com informs that two world records from Olympic Games in Beijing made by Russian female athletes were approved. The 505 of Yelena Isinbayeva in Pole Vault and 8:58.81 steeple by Gulnara Samitova-Galkina in 3000 m steeple. In the mean-time Isinbayeva was voted European and Russian Athlete of the Year 2008. For both records the official confirmation from IAAF is still to come.
STRONG AFRICAN PRESENCE
KOSICE (SVK): The oldest marathon in Europe, the International Peace Marathon in Kosice will have on Sunday its 85th edition (started in 1924). Last year the first ever sub 2:10 in Slovakia and in history of this event was registered by Kenyan William Biama (2:09:53). This year again 12 African runners are the main favorites in men´s race vying for the top prize 10 000 Euro which could be increased if sub 2:12 to 12 000 and if course record to 15 000. Best marks are held by Joseph Mutiso (2:10:34 last year in Dubai) and the same 2:10:34 by Eric Nzioki back in 2005 in Zurich. Other Kenyans are Jonathan Kibet (second in Seville this year 2:11:38), Sammy Rotich (2:11:49 in Enschede this year) and Joseph Lagat (2:12:27 this year in Valencia) with Duluth third placer Benson Cheruiyot (2:14:03 PB). Ethiopian group is headed by Dejene Yirdawe who clocked last year in Dublin 2:11:08 as third. Philip Bandawe of Zimbabwe (2:15:51) is another name to watch wih this years third in Hongkong and fourth in Stockholm. Best European should be Russian Aleksey Veselov with 2:13:06 best. Pacemakers of good quality are David Makori (2:08:49 in 2002) and Fred Kosgei (1:02:41 HM). For first time also bigger group of African female runners is entered. Kenyan Selina Chelimo who was twice second at Karstadt Marathon in Essen in last two years (2:36:58 in 2007) hopes for new PB, the same goes for another Kenyan Eunice Korir (so far 2:40:37) and Ethiopian debutants Firehiwot Dado and Radiya Adlo from the group of coach Haji Adilo who has in his group for example also Olympian and Boston winner 2008 Dire Tune. Experencied Valentina Delion of Moldova (did not finish Olympic marathon, PB 2:36:50) and Belarussian Mariya Butakova (PB 2:44:38) are the top European names. For women the first place is 5000 E which could be increased to 6000 if sub 2:35 and 10 000 if new course record (better than 2:31:28 by Alena Peterkova since 1989). The race is also national championships in marathon.
Former Slovak prime minister and current parliament member Mikulas Dzurinda plans to run his 22nd marathon and hopes to qualify for Boston next year with sub 3:35 time.
More than 4000 runners are entered in all races which should be new participation record and most number of people devoted to sporting activity during a year at a single day in Slovakia.
Top all-time results of International Peace Marathon in Kosice
Men
2:09:53 William Biama, KEN, 2007
2:12:01 Simon Bor, KEN, 2007
2:12:35 Adam Dobrzynski, POL, 2004
2:12:40 David Kariuki, KEN, 2002
2:12:53 Adam Dobrzynski, 2002
2:12:54 Edwin Kipchom, KEN 2006
2:13:24 Georgiy Andreyev, RUS, 2003
2:13:27 David Kariuki, 2001
2:13:34.6 Go Chun-Son, PRK, 1978
2:13:35 Myhalo Iveruk, UKR, 2003
2:13:57 Marnix Goegebeur, BEL, 1995
2:14:10 Robert Stefko, SVK, 1999
2:14:11 Wieslaw Palczynski, POL, 1993
Women
2:31:28 Alena Peterkova, TCH, 1989
2:33:52 Rika Tabashi, JPN, 2004
2:34:41 Raisa Sadretdinova, URS, 1983
2:34:50 Natalya Kulesh, BLR, 2007
2:35:33 Valentina Ustinova, URS, 1983
2:36:47 Natalya Kulesh, 2006
2:36:49 Tadelech Birra, ETH, 2002
2:36:55 Galina Zhulieva, UKR, 2001
2:36:58 Edyta Lewandowska,POL, 2007
2:37:00 Sue Harrison, GBR, 2004
2:37:19 Christa Vahlensieck, FRG, 1984
2:37:46 Christa Vahlensieck, 1981
2:37:48 Edyta Lewandowska, 2005
There are currently 257 men times under 2:20 and 160 women times under 3 hours.
GARCIA RETIRING
HAVANA (CUB): 2000 Olympic winner at 110 m Hurdles Cuban Anier Garcia announced his retirement. It is at age 32 because of injury problems. „I did not fulfill all my goals for example to win World Championships or to run under 13 seconds,” he was quoted. He was coached by Santiago Antunez and in the group with him also the current Olympic winner and world record holder Dayron Robles was growing. „I learned lot from him,” said Robles. Garcia´s best remains 13.00 from 2000 Olympic winning race, this year he clocked only 14.01 in June in Spain.
EA COUNCIL MEETING
LAUSANNE (SUI): European Athletics Council (120th session) is meeting in Berlin, Germany this weekend. Among the important decisions to be made are the venues of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in 2010 and 2011.
OLSSON STARTED TO TRAIN
STOCKHOLM (SWE): 2004 Olympic triple jump winner Christian Olsson started with his preparation for next season. With the coach Yannick Tregaro they are building their campaign slowly and will compete only when he will be totally fit. For the moment it remains open whether there would be any option for Olsson to compete indoors already.
KENYA CONFIRMED THE TEAM
NAIROBI (KEN): Kenya confirmed the team for IAAF World Half Marathon championships next weekend. It is without marathon Olympic winner Samuel Wanjiru. As IAAF informs the headliners are two individual medallists from last year in Udine, Patrick Makau Musyoki and Pamela Chepchumba. Kenya is title defender in teams. Also running will be Peninah Arusei, Julia Mumbi and Pauline Wangui on the women side and Stephen Kibiwott, Joseph Maregu, Mekubo Mogusu and Lameck Mokono.
JAMAICA CELEBRATIONS
KINGSTON (JAM): On friday the Jamaican Olympic celebrations will start with the name „Salute to our Beijing heroes.” At midday Welcome Reception and Motorcade number one will be held with dinner with the stars in the evning (Strawberry Hill Hotel). Main issue will be The National Sports Gala on Saturday in National Stadium in the evening with national awards ceremony. Here the entire team from Beijing is expected headed by Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Melaine Walker. On Sunday a religious service is planned to give thanks and praise. On Monday series of school visits will start when athletes will be taken back to their respective schools. Trelawny Gala is planned for Wednesday which is the celebration of great achievements of athletes from Rural Jamaica. National Library of Jamaica will offer National Exhibition – Making Tracks: The Story of Jamaican Athletics.
NEW TRACK IN VIENNA STADIUM
WIEN (AUT): Ernst Happel Stadium, the site of EURO 2008 important matches got after the soccer euphoria new blue track and trainings are ready to begin there.
Used with permission of Alfons Juck.
