FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tanui Set To Light Up Edinburgh Marathon
Kenyan Dan Tanui is the star name at this weekend's seventeenth edition of
the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. With a PB of 2.15.08, the Project Africa
athlete, who is in fine form after winning the Walled City Marathon last
June, is set to get the biggest cheers in Sunday's marathon.
He'll be closely followed by fellow countryman Gideon Cheruiyot Kurgat, who
recently completed the Belfast Marathon in 2:26:57.
Other contenders in the men's race include Alan Darby from Soham who will
be taking part in his third Edinburgh Marathon.
"Having run this event several years ago, I'm excited to return with high
hopes of setting a new marathon PB. I come into this race having set a new
half marathon PB of 69 minutes earlier this year."
The North East of England is also providing a couple of contenders in
Conrad Franks and Matthew Alderson. Matthew completed the London Marathon
in 2.28 whilst Conrad ran a 70 minute half marathon in Sunderland last
weekend. Both are feeling confident in the lead up to Edinburgh.
Local favourite is Tom Roche from Inverurie. Tom ran a PB of 2:27 at London
just last month to finish 44th overall and having recovered well, is hoping
for a similar time at Edinburgh.
In the women's race, Rotheram's Lyndsey Eastman ran London in 2.51.40 and
is hoping to improve on this with the fast & flat course in Edinburgh.
Lyndsey said; "My training has been going well and I'm looking forward to
participating in Edinburgh marathon and see the beautiful city."
Melanie Wilkins from Henley-on-Thames is also looking to push for the top
spot in her first ever outing at the marathon distance in years.
Mel said: "I've chosen to come to Edinburgh to debut at my first
competitive marathon. I love Edinburgh as a city so I'm super excited to
take on the marathon there."
For the half marathon distance, Birmingham's Molly Browne is one to watch
out for after running 78.26 in Reading this March.
Molly said; "Training has been tough but good fun; I'm looking forward to
getting on the start line and giving it a good go!"
Hot on her heels will be Auchtermuchty's Sheena Logan who's stepped down to
the half marathon distance after competing in the marathon last year. After
running 82.57 at the Inverness Half Marathon she's looking to improve on
this in Edinburgh.
"I'm looking forward to the race as I've taken some time off over the
winter after a good season last year and I like the course in Edinburgh.
The festival is a great event." said Sheena.
In the men's race, Birmingham are providing another hopeful in Daniel
Robinson who ran the Big Half in 71.53. Greenock's John Bell and
Corstorphine's Dougie Selman are also hoping to push at the front.
A special mention has to also go out to Edinburgh's Neil Renault. Neil
finished second in the Edinburgh Marathon back in 2015, but after being
diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis this time last year, the last year has
been a struggle for him, trying to balance training whilst understanding
how the medication affects him.
Neil said: "I now feel confident that I'm on route back to getting back to
PB shape on the marathon (2:18) and half marathon (64:48). Although not in
the latter shape just yet, I am still looking for a decent time over the
half marathon this year and very much looking forward to racing again on
the route of the EMF which was kind to me in 2015."
As well as the elite athletes, there are many more incredible runners
taking part in EMF 2019 for a variety of worthy causes.
Edinburgh Marathon veteran Claire Dalrymple will cross the finish line for
the 17th time on Sunday 26th May. This year will be particularly poignant
for Claire as she is running in memory of her husband Stephen for Macmillan
Cancer.
Stephen sadly passed away in February after losing his battle against
Oesophageal cancer. Throughout his illness, Stephen and Claire received
incredible support from the charity to ensure the precious time they had
left together was spent making happy memories.
"Throughout Stephen's illness I kept running to keep me strong and focused,
it really was my therapy." explained Claire.
"I'm raising money to say thank you to Macmillan for all their help and
support." As part of her fundraising challenge Claire also completed the
London Marathon and is looking ahead to the Harris Marathon later this
year.
Fourteen runners from El Salvador are traveling to Edinburgh to take part
in the marathon, half marathon & 10K events. They are running on behalf of
one of their group, Maria Olimpia Escobar de Melhado.
Maria was stabbed on an early morning training run whilst preparing for the
event, and tragically passed away on Saturday 18th May.
Maria's brother-in-law said: "These are the risks that our runners take, in
our country plagued with crime, to keep our passion for running. We are not
giving up, Maria Olimpia taught us that love and passion transform ugly
realities."
"Our beloved Maria Olimpia started running 10 years ago and was very
enthusiastic. She created at least two runners' groups mainly of ladies.
She encouraged many of her friends to register to the Edinburgh Half and
Full Marathon and organized the trip. We will always remember her joyful
and cheerful personality."
Entries are still available for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival up until
Friday 24th May at noon.
For more information and to enter, visit www.edinburghmarathon.com.
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