FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Anticipating Race Records at the Volkswagen Prague Marathon
The start of this year's Volkswagen Prague Marathon will be displaying an
impressive line-up of elite runners. But will the participating African
runners succeed in smashing the current race records? Manager of Elite
Athletes taking part the race, Jana Moberly certainly believes it's a
distinct possibility: "We've got some top runners and, providing the
weather conditions are right, we can start to think about this."
Albert Kiplagat Matebor is the number one and as such stands as the
favourite to win. The 32-year old Kenyan running talent managed to complete
the Frankfurt Marathon the year before last with a time of 2:05:25.
Kiptanui's record in Prague from 2010 is only 14 seconds behind this.
Matebor is back in top form after returning from a break. He earned his
living work on a farm and enjoys spending his free time listening to Kenyan
music. He triumphed at the famous Gothenburg Half Marathon two years ago.
His compatriots Mariko Kiplagat Kipchumba (2:06:05) and Benjamin Kolum
Kiptoo (2:06:31) aren't too far behind him however. "They can all mutually
help each other push past the 2:06 boundary," Jana Moberly predicts.
Philemon Limo also features on the list of top stars having secured himself
a number of fantastic times on Czech soil from half marathon courses as
well as the 10 km Mattoni Grand Prix race which he still holds the record
for with a time of 27:34.
The Eritrean pair Yonas Kifle (2:07:34) and Amanuel Mesel will surely also
have their sights set on scooping up superior times than their
counterparts. At just 22, Mesel who recently gave current world record
holder, Zersenay Tadese a good run for his money at the Hervis Prague Half
Marathon, will be making his debut marathon performance at this race.
In terms of the women, everyone in Prague right up to its cobblestones,
will be looking forward to welcoming the much-exalted 35 year old Kenyan
athlete, Lydia Cheromei(2:21:30 from last year in Dubai). Already picking
up the Junior Championship title in cross-country running at the tender age
of thirteen, Lydia took part in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 as well as the
Sydney Olympics in 2000. The year before last, she broke the race records
in Prague for both the half marathon and marathon distances. And as if this
weren't enough, last year she also emerged as the 4th greatest world
champion running the half marathon course.
"Lydia taking part is something we can interpret as a seal of quality. She
started off rather late this year, however once again chose Prague despite
receiving offers from other prestigious marathons. She certainly won't be
running alone, a total of five women will be chasing after their dreams to
smash the record," the manager of elite runners adds. The current race
record stands at 2:22:34.
It's also worth watching out for two other Kenyan names - Caroline Rotich,
who emerged with a fantastic result from the New York Half Marathon and
Philes Ongori. The Ethiopian squad will be made up of Koren Jelela
(2:22:43) and Ehitu Kiros (2:23:39).
In addition to the above, the line-up of elite runners will also include
first-class athletes hailing from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Estonia, Switzerland,
Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland and Hungary.
It also looks likely we'll be in for an interesting spectacle when it comes
to seeing local runners battle it out for the Czech Championship title.
While Olympian runner, Jan Kreisinger won't be taking part this year after
deciding focus on shorter distances instead, in his place we have Petr
Pechek, who has managed to complete the course under 2:10. Aside from road
races, both have a number of successes under their belt in uphill running
and trails.
There's also a chance he may be caught up by the half marathon course
champion and holder of this year's best time, Vít Pavlista (who has
previously managed to complete the marathon course in 2:20:42) and Jii
Homola? who emerged as the best local runner at the Hervis Prague Half
Marathon held in April and who last year completed the marathon in 2:21:06.
Also taking part in the race is the Czech-Slovak long-distance runner and
participant at two Olympic Games, Róbert Štefko. The 43-year old trainer
for Kreisinger as well as others previously managed to complete the
marathon in 2:09:53 which has earned him genuine admiration from his
successors.
In terms of the women, Ostrava-based mother of three, Petra Pastorova
supported by entrusted trainer, the legendary record holder Alena
Peterkova, will also be keen to show what she's got. So far her best time
is 2:39:42. A possible challenger for her could present itself in the form
of mother and trail runner, Radka Churaova.
TOP 10 Men:
Nat Name Surname Born PB
1 KEN Albert Kiplagat MATEBOR 20.12.1980 2:05:25
2 KEN Mariko Kiplagat KIPCHUMBA 1.1.1975 2:06:05
3 ERI Amanuel MESEL 29.12.1990 debut
4 KEN Benjamin Kolum KIPTOO 1.1.1979 2:06:31
5 KEN Julius Ndiritu KARINGA 1.1.1976 2:08:01
6 ETH Girmay BIRHANU 27.1.1987 2:08:11
7 ERI Yonas KIFLE 5.11.1977 2:07:34
8 KEN Philemon Kimel LIMO 2.8.1985 2:09:25
9 ETH Teshome GELANA 31.10.1985 2:07:37
10 KEN Julius Arile LOMERINYANG 15.6.1983 2:12:13
TOP 10 Women:
Nat Name Surname Born PB
1 KEN Lydia CHEROMEI 11.5.1977 2:21:30
2 ETH Koren JELELA 18.1.1987 2:22:43
3 KEN Caroline ROTICH 13.5.1984 2:23:22
4 ETH Ehitu KIROS 13.1.1988 2:23:39
5 KEN Philes ONGORI 19.6.1986 2:24:20
6 JAP Azusa NOJIRI 6.6.1982 2:24:57
8 ETH Selomie GETNET 10.4.1986 2:25:15
9 RUS Tatyana ARYASOVA 2.4.1979 2:26:13
10 UKR Yulia RUBAN 6.10.1983 2:27:10
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