by Larry Eder
Mizuku Noguchi, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mizuki Noguchi, Tariku Bekele, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mizuki Noguchi, the 2003 silver medalist from the World Championship marathon and the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the marathon will be running the Lisbon Rock N Roll Half marathon on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
Teriku Bekele, 4th in the 2012 Olympic 10,000 meters, younger brother to Kenenisa Bekela, will be making his debut in the half marathon at the Lisbon Rock R Roll Half marathon.
The fields for Lisbon are pretty strong, considering many top marathoners are looking for half marathons to test their fitness for upcoming October and November marathons. The elite fields are attached just below this note. We will also attach the link where you can watch the Lisbon RnR Half marathon for free on Sunday morning, 5 am EST, (6 am CST and 2 am PST).
The men’s elite field includes Silas Sang of Kenya and Martin Lel of Kenya. Lel possesses a very dangerous kick and should be able to toleterate the sixty minute time that Bekele is quite capable of, in his current fitness level.
For more on the men’s field, just download this pdf: 2012-LisbonRnR-Men.pdf
Noguchi will have to deal with Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya, the Olympic silver and World Championship silver medalist in the marathon, with a pb of 2:20.14. Jeptoo was very tough in the London race, which pushed the women to a high level of exhaustion. If you are interested in the rest of the women’s field, here you go: 2012-LisbonRnR-Women.pdf
TV can be seen from the states, for free at http://www.rtp.pt/play/direto/rtp1
The Competitor Group of races has built to a robust 75. The Lisbon RnR is an example of their recent forays into Europe. Per an article in Sports Business Journal, Competitor Group is up for sale, with the top candidate, according to several sources, the owners of Le Tour de France.
More details on this one to come. With Falconhead Capital, the owners of Competitor Group, seeking a rumored $200 million (Rock R Roll was purchased from Tim Murphy in 2006-2007 for a reported $45 million), there are few candidates who can afford to put that type of money up in these financial times.
The Rock N Roll series, and the media empire developed around the 75 events, give a client a serious foothold in the very lucrative running and endurance market in the United States, Canada, and now Europe. Lisbon RnR Half marathon is an example of the possibilities, but also the complexities in dealing with such a far flung venture.
