FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Repeat Winners Returning For 2009 Ottawa Marathon
May 14, 2009, Ottawa – David Cheriuyot and Lioudmila Kortchaguina, the most
consistent athletes of the Ottawa Marathon over the last half decade, are
returning to the Ottawa Race Weekend.
David Cheriuyot (Kenya) has only lost once since first appearing at the
Ottawa Marathon in 2005. He was 4th across the finish line in 2006. Each of
his wins has followed a surprising trend – defeating successively younger
athletes in a sprint.
"My goal is to break the course record this year," said Cheriuyot. "I will
try my best. Even with an injury from last year, I am ready to run and
defend."
Cheriuyot's main competitors are Luka Chelimo (Kenya), Ketema Amensisa
Tadesse (Ethiopia) and Ahmed Baday (Morocco). Chelimo, who has the fastest
personal best in the field (2:10:30), is still looking for his first
marathon win. Tadesse and Baday have also run marathons under 2:11.
If he wins, Cheriuyot will become only the second person to win the Ottawa
Marathon four times. Says Cheriuyot: "I think I can do it, if God wishes."
Canadian challengers this year include Reid Coolsaet of Hamilton, Matt
Loiselle of Toronto, and Steve Osadiuk of Langley. Coolsaet, Canada's top
5000 meter runner, is hoping to make the World Championship team with his
debut marathon. The last time a Canadian male was on the podium in Ottawa
was 2003.
Strong Competition for Canada's Lioudmila Kortchaguina
Toronto's Lioudmila Kortchaguina is considered the favourite female to win
this year. She has won four of the five marathons she's run in Ottawa
(2002, 2004, 2006, 2007), and placed 2nd in 2005. After running a very
solid 2:30 marathon in January, Kortchaguina will be looking for her fifth
win. No other athlete has ever done that in the Ottawa Marathon.
Challenging Kortchaguina will be defending champion and course record
holder, Asmae Leghzaoui (Morocco). Other challengers include Liza
Hunter-Galvan (New Zealand), a consistent 2:30 marathoner, Irene Jerotich
Kosgei (Kenya), a 2:31 marathoner who won the Nairobi (Kenya) marathon, and
Selomie Getnet (Ethiopia) who has already run 2:33 this year.
See the backgrounder at
http://www.runottawa.ca/index.php/en/media/2009-elite-marathon for the
prize purse and a complete list of the elites competing in the Ottawa
Marathon.
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