FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alan Brookes
Race Director, 416.464.7437
Dave Reid
Technical Director, 416.543.4321
INTERNATIONAL CLASS MARATHONING RETURNS TO TORONTO FOR FIRST TIME IN ALMOST
A DECADE, WITH WATERFRONT MARATHON, SEPTEMBER 28TH
Kenyans Ndiritu, Ntabo, Kariuki, and Vincentian Pamenos Ballantyne
confirmed for Men's race
TORONTO (September 4th, 2003) - Despite new world records being set on a
regular basis, and levels of mass participation reaching similar peaks
across the USA and Europe for the classic marathon distance of 42.2km,
until now this was a boom that had by-passed Canada's largest city.
Not since the Shoppers Drug Mart Toronto Marathon was staged between 1990
and 1995, when Welsh tough-guy Steve Jones ran 2:10:06 in 1992 and Peter
Fonseca ran the 5th-fastest time ever by a Canadian of 2:11:34 in Shopper's
final year, has a competitive marathon been run on the streets of Hogtown.
On a September day in 1992, a young Canadian distance runner called Dave
Reid was the "rabbit" who paced Jones to 1:04 at half-way. Eleven years
later, after representing Canada on numerous occasions, and being a
perennial 1,500m, 5000m and 10000m national champ, Reid is a top distance
coach and Technical Race Director of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront
Marathon.
With his determination, talent and experience, and some excellent
Scotiabank event-sponsorship, he's committed to returning top-class
marathoning to Toronto. He's also spurred by a jibe he recalls from a top
UK track meet organizer years ago, who told him, "Hey, we've got people
here running faster to the bus stop than you Canadians, but come on over
anyway!"
Today, Reid confirmed the participation of Kenyans Joseph Ndiritu, Peter
Ntabo and David Kariuki, plus the pride of the Caribbean, Pamenos
Ballantyne of St.Vincent, for a men's race that he predicts will take 2:13
or better to win on the flat, fast Waterfront course.
The 29-year-old Ndiritu has been a regular "bird of passage" on the
Canadian roads the past 5 years. During that time he has set a new course
record for the 110-year-old Around the Bay Road Race 30K in Hamilton of
1:32:53, and won dozens of races at a variety of distances. He was last
year's winner of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront HALF Marathon in 64:48
where he claimed the major "scalp" of top Canadian Jeff Schiebler who
finished 2nd. Most recently, Ndirutu comes off a good win at the National
Capital Marathon in Ottawa in May in 2:14:04. He has just returned from a
summer of altitude training in Kenya and plans to improve on his 2:14 in a
competitive race.
Pre-race favourite is Peter Ntabo, who made his first sojourn to Canada
this Spring and won the Sporting Life 10K in 28:01. At 33, Ntabo has a
wealth of experience, including a marathon PR of 2:11:23, run at Catania,
Italy in 2000. Married with 2 children, the member of the Kenyan Armed
Forces from Kisii was named in July to the Kenyan marathon team for the
recent World Championships in Paris. He declined, opting instead to focus
on the Toronto Waterfront, with its $5,000 first prize and $4,000 in
additional time bonuses, according to his agent, Tim Forrester of Hamilton.
At present, Ntabo is training at the New Balance Altitude Camp in Nyahuru
[about 7,000ft], with the KIM Agency athletes.
Also at the Nyahuru Camp is David Kariuki who is confirmed for the
Waterfront. He has been very consistent, winning the Kosice marathon each
of the last 2 years in 2:12:27 and 2:13:37, and he also won Dubai in
2:14:13 in the heat last year. It will be David's first time in North
America.
Rounding out the lead pack, and keeping the Kenyans honest will be Pamenos
Ballantyne of St.Vincent. The 26-year-old has considerable international
experience in Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games
marathons. He is a 6-time winner of the Clico Trinidad Marathon, where he
has run 2:15 on two occasions in 30 degree temperatures. He most-recently
defeated a multiple Kenyan challenge to win in January 2003 with a very
strong 2:15:30 [course record]. He has also won the last three Scotiabank
Barbados Half Marathons, and was third at the Waterfront Half last year,
right behind Ndiritu and Schiebler.
Coach Reid emphasizes that, "the Waterfront is a flat, fast, scenic course
along the lakeshore-ideal for first-timers, novices, or those looking for a
Boston qualifier, as well as for the elites. Come on out and join the
party!" There is also the half marathon and a 5K Run/Walk for charity.
Online entry and event details at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.
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