FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Davison
Marketing and Communications
(613) 277-2980
OTTAWA RACE WEEKEND EXPECTING RECORD PARTICIPATION
FOR 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – On the eve of its first race, the Ottawa Race Weekend,
the largest running festival in Canada, is already enjoying another record
year with 27,450 participants already registered and about 3,000 more
expected to sign up within the next 36 hours. In 1996, the event welcomed
4,000 runners, and grew to over 26,200 participants in 2005. Record
breaking participation this weekend represents 10 years of outstanding
growth.
"Our event has become a must for many runners across North America. We will
be welcoming record numbers of participants from Canada, the US, Mexico,
Europe and Africa. Clearly, there is no boundary to how big we can grow,"
says Susan Longbottom, Ottawa Race Weekend President.
International competition heating up in ING Ottawa Marathon and MDS Nordion
10K
2005 ING Ottawa Marathon defending champion David Cheruiyot is expected to
face stiff competition this year. Kenyans Ben Kimondiu (PB: 2:0852), Henry
Tarus (PB: 2:10:08), Nelson Njeru Ndereva (PB: 2:09), Elly Rono (PB:
2:10:57), along with South African Makhosonke Fika (PB: 2:10:18) could all
be contenders, along with first timer Nicholas Kiprono Kurgat of Uganda.
In the women’s field, defending champion Lidia Vasilevskaja (PB: 2:29:26)
of Russia will be again facing Canadian Champion Lioudmila Kortchaguina
(PB: 2:29:53). They will both face newcomers Magdalene Makunzi (debut),
Helena Kiprop (PB: 2:34) of Kenya, Moges Zebenaye (PB: 2:35)of Ethiopia and
Argentinian Claudia Camargo (PB: 2:36:06) and American Mary Akor (PB:
2:37:19).
Crowds will also feel the excitement at the finish line of the MDS Nordion
10K as 2005 champion Kenyan George Kirwa Misoi will return to defend his
title against fellow countrymen Nicodemus Malakwen (PB: 28:06), Lazarus
Nyakeraka (PB: 27:41), Linus Maiyo (PB: 27:36), John Itati (PB: 27:31),
Henry Kipchirchir (PB: 27:51). In the women’s category, Zhor el Kamch (PB:
31:37) of Morocco will try hold off Ukranian Tetyana Hladyr (PB: 32:00) and
Kenyan Geneova Jelegat (PB: 31:48). Other contenders include Kenyan Teresa
Wanjiku (PB: 31:01), Canadian Emilie Mondor (PB: 31:10) and Moroccon Salima
el Ouali Alami.
The ING Ottawa Marathon is also site of the 2006 Canadian Marathon
Championships and 2005 champion Jim Finlayson is not expected to return so
a new champion will be crowned. In the women’s field, Lioudmilla
Kortchaguina who received her Canadian citizenship two days prior to
winning the title in 2005 will be facing Tania Jones (PB: 2:39) and Paula
Wiltse (PB: 2:45).
"Each year, the competitiveness of our events grows, and this weekend we
are closer than ever to beating this 30-year old marathon record," says
Manny Rodrigues, Elite Athlete Coordinator. "We’re hoping to give away the
keys to a brand new Hyundai Tucson to one of our elite athletes in 2006."
CBC Sports to broadcast over two hours of ING Ottawa Marathon
For the first time in its 32-year history, the ING Ottawa Marathon will be
featured in a 2 and a half hour program on CBC Television on Saturday June
3rd at 3:30 p.m. EST. "CBC’s commitment to this event is a sign of the
impact the ING Ottawa Marathon has had on this country’s marathon scene,"
says John Halvorsen, Ottawa Race Weekend Race Director. For more
information visit www.cbc.ca/ottawa.
First Canadian Wheelchair championships
This year also marks the re-launch of the ING Ottawa Wheelchair Marathon,
which has been designated by Athletics Canada as the first ever Canadian
Wheelchair Marathon Championships. This new event is backed by support
from event sponsor ING and Pfizer who came on board this year to rejuvenate
the wheelchair event.
ING Run for Something Better: Canada’s Fastest City
Another exciting competition to watch for is the ING Run for Something
Better, a race within the ING Ottawa Marathon to find Canada’s fastest
city. Teams of two runners from ten Canadian cities will converge in
Ottawa on Sunday to compete for the title of "Fastest Canadian City" – and
a share of $68,000 in prize money for running programs in their home town.
About the Ottawa Race Weekend
The Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada's premier running festival, combines
competition, participation and fundraising to make a distinctive
contribution to the health of the community. The event has over 30,000
participants in nine races, including the ING Ottawa Marathon and the MDS
Nordion 10K. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. This year, the
Race Weekend is scheduled for May 26-28.
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