Kenyans Ndiritu, Ntabo, Kariuki, and Vincentian Pamenos Ballantyne confirmed for Men's race

Desp! ite 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 excellen! t 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

Further info and interviews contact:
Alan Brookes, Race Director, 416 464 7437
Dave Reid, Technical Director, 416 543 4321