FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Okayo, Kastor, Dita and Petrova to Join Radcliffe
at 2006 Flora London Marathon
LONDON - (January 10, 2006) - The Flora London Marathon has announced a
stellar elite women's field to join Paula Radcliffe, the defending race
champion, World Record Holder and current World Champion, on Sunday, April
23rd in London.
Leading the signings are Margaret Okayo (KEN), winner in London 2004 and
1st in New York City 2003; Deena Kastor (USA / CA), 2005 Chicago Champion,
2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and 3rd London 2003 (set U.S. record,
2:21:16); Constantina Dita (ROM), 2nd in both London and Chicago 2005 and
2005 World Championships bronze medalist; and Lyudmila Petrova (RUS), 2nd
in London 2004 and 3rd in London 2002.
As in 2003, and following discussions with the elite athletes, the women's
race will be run in mixed conditions with male pacemakers, to help the
competitors to fast times.
Other major contenders announced for the women's elite line-up include
Susan Chepkemei (KEN), 3rd in London 2005, 2nd New York City 2005; Mari
Ozaki (JPN), 2nd Osaka 2005; Selina Kosgei (KEN), 4th in New York City
2005; and Eri Hayakawa (JPN), 5th Chicago 2005.
UK No. 2 Mara Yamauchi, also joins this exciting field, after her recent
breakthrough run to become the fifth fastest Briton of all time over the
marathon distance, with her 5th place in Toyko on November 20th.
Making her much anticipated debut in London over the marathon distance will
be the 2003 World 10,000m champion, Berhane Adere (ETH), who last ran a
marathon in Rotterdam in 2001 in 2:41:50, as will be Galina Bogomolova
(RUS), 8th in the World 10,000m final 2005 and second at the New Las Vegas
Marathon last month in 2:31:54.
Elite women's field fastest times:
Paula Radcliffe (GBR), 2:15:25, world record
Margaret Okayo (KEN), 2:20:43
Deena Kastor (USA / CA), 2:21:16, U.S. record
Constantina Dita (ROM), 2:21:30, Romanian record
Lyudmila Petrova (RUS), 2:22:33
Susan Chepkemei (KEN), 2:23:12
Mari Ozaki (JPN), 2:23:30
Selina Kosgei (KEN), 2:24:32
Mara Yamauchi (GBR), 2:27:38
Eri Hayakawa (JPN), 2:28:50
Galina Bogomolova (RUS), 2:31:54
Berhane Adere (ETH), 2:41:50
For more race information, visit: www.London-Marathon.co.uk
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