Press Release - Edinburgh Marathon - 5/3/17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Elites set for quick times at 15th Edinburgh Marathon

Some of the world's fastest marathon runners will take to the streets of 
Edinburgh and East Lothian for the 2017 Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 28th 
May.

Exciting elite fields have emerged for both the men and the women as 
Edinburgh continues to establish itself as one of the world's leading 
marathons. Athletes from across the globe will descend upon the Scottish 
capital looking to drop some quick times on this notoriously fast course.

In the men's field, Ihor Russ of Ukraine will start as favourite after his 
victory at the Kharkov International Marathon and finishing in the Top 50 
at the Olympic Games in Rio - he will be looking to improve on his 2:12 
personal best. Kenyan Stanley Bett will follow closely on his heels with a 
best of 2:14; Bett has had previous success on British soil having stormed 
to victory at the Bournemouth Marathon last year. This year's event also 
sees the return of Japhet Koech: Japhet is a regular at the Edinburgh 
Marathon finishing 3rd in 2016, 18th in 2015, 2nd in 2014 and 5th in 2013. 
Japhet featured in the cult running novel Running with the Kenyans by 
Adharanand Finn. 

The fastest entrant the women's elite field is Belarusian Olena Duboskaya 
with a PB of 2:28 but she will face stiff competition from Kenyans Pennina 
Ndungu and Eddah Jepkosgei who was first female in the Edinburgh Marathon 
last year. Ukranian Valentina Zhudina could also feature as she aims to go 
under 2:40 in her first ever marathon debut. Valentina started to compete 
in the 3000m Steeple Chase as a youth representing her country 
internationally at U23 Championships.  She became a double Olympian in the 
3000m steeple chase then now her priority has changed to road racing full 
time and her goal for the Edinburgh Marathon is to have a strong marathon 
debut.

The British contingent at this year's Edinburgh Marathon Festival is also 
very strong. Peter Le Grice has set the quickest time this year with a 41st 
place finish at the London Marathon in a time of 2:23:16, closely followed 
by Tom Charles of Trafford AC who finished second in the Asics Greater 
Manchester Marathon and tenth in last year's Edinburgh Marathon.

Favourite in the British female field is Hayley Haining of Kilbarchan 
Athletics Club. Hayley competed for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in 
2014 and 2006. She finished 25th in the Marathon at the World Championships 
in 2005 and has competed in the Edinburgh Marathon in 2012, 2014 and 2016, 
finishing on the podium each time. Georgie Bruinvels of Aldershot Farnham 
is in sensational form after winning the Asics Greater Manchester Marathon 
this April with a time of 2:37:03. Local favourite Dianne Lauder of Gala 
Harriers has also had a great couple of years. Dianne finished 6th in the 
Edinburgh Marathon in 2016 and 2nd in the Edinburgh Half Marathon in 2015.

Freya Ross, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Elite Coordinator, looked ahead to 
what should be an exciting battle at the front of the race: "We're excited 
to see who will come out on top with some really strong runners in both the 
men's and women's fields. The course is quick and we're hopeful for some 
good running conditions which should lend itself to some fast times." 

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Race Director, added: "Scotland 
is preparing to welcome the world to the this amazing city and we look 
forward to delivering another outstanding Edinburgh Marathon Festival that 
the nation will be proud of.  We as a team are already proud of the effort 
put in by all of our runners as they work hard to prepare for the big day. 
In our eyes, every EMF runner is elite and we value every runner's 
contribution to the festival in equal measure. It's great to have another 
stellar elite field this year, cementing Edinburgh's status as a premier 
global marathon with genuine world class runners spearheading the race."

Starter of the 15th Edinburgh Marathon will be arguably Scoland's greatest 
long-distance runner; Donald Forbes Macgregor. Donald competed in the 1972 
Summer Olympics in Munich, representing Great Britain in the men's marathon 
event, in which he finished in seventh position. He also competed for 
Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 1970 in Edinburgh, on a course which 
incorporates the current Edinburgh Marathon route, so it's very fitting 
that he starts this year's event.

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is Scotland's largest mass participation 
running event. There are nine races on offer, guaranteeing there is 
something for everyone from the seasoned runner to the charity fundraiser 
and beginners. The fun kicks off on Saturday 27th May at Holyrood Park with 
a 10K, 5K and four junior races. On Sunday 28th May, the Edinburgh 
marathon, half marathon and team relay starts from the heart of Edinburgh 
and continues through East Lothian offering stunning views and an 
unforgettable running experience. 

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