|
Catherine “The Great” expected to give men and women a run for their money
January 10th, 2007 – OTTAWA, ON – Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, currently one of the best female marathoners in the world, will make her first ever Canadian race appearance at the 2007 MDS Nordion 10K where she will challenge 2006 champion Tatyana Hladyr of the Ukraine. It should be an interesting competition as Ndereba and Hladyr last faced off at the ING New York City Marathon in November, when Hladyr’s time of 2:26:05 edged out Ndereba (2:26:58) for second place.
Interest from athletes of Ndereba’s calibre has been attributed to a new feature being introduced for the 2007 MDS Nordion 10K. For the first time in the event’s history, the women will square off against the men in the race to the finish. The women will start the race a few minutes before the men – the time will be determined one week prior to the event – and the first runner to cross the finish line, man or woman, will receive a $5,000 (US) bonus in addition to the regular prize money.
“Initiatives such as this one are what make our 10K one of the most competitive and popular races in North America. Last year, our race had the 8th fastest men’s finishing time in the continent, and the women’s time was the 7th fastest,” says elite athlete coordinator, Manuel Rodrigues. “I personally can’t wait to see where we stand after next year with Catherine The Great at our race. It’s clear our name is out there if we are attracting the world’s best athletes, like her, to Canada’s capital.”
“MDS Nordion has been a proud supporter of the 10K race since it began over 20 years ago,” said Steve West, President of MDS Nordion. “Every person running this race runs for a reason: to beat a personal best, to raise money, to feel a sense of accomplishment. Having world-renowned athletes participate, such as Catherine Ndereba in the 2007 event, will certainly be an inspiration for all to aim high and succeed, whatever their goal.”
Other athletes expected to compete include Jane Jeruto Kibii (Kenya), who placed second at the 2006 event with a time of 32:22, 2004 winner Aster Demissie (Ethiopia), and Magdelena Makunzi (Kenya) who recently set a new course record at a top 8K in Richmond Virginia.
The men’s race will see two-time winner and returning champion George Kirwa Misoi of Kenya face off against fellow countryman Samuel Kosgei, a young track runner who took first place in the Crim 10-mile road race in August, his American debut. Also confirmed are Ryan Hayden, second-ranked Canadian 10K runner, and Paul McCloy, Canadian 10K record holder. National 10K Champion Lucy Smith, and top Canadians Lisa Harvey and Tania Jones will also return.
ABOUT CATHERINE NDEREBA
· Set world record times in the 5K, 15K, 12K, and 10-mile distances in 1999.
· Ran her debut marathon in 1999, finishing in 6th place at Boston with 2:28:27
· Broke the women’s marathon world record in 2001 (2:18:47) at the Chicago Marathon (her record was later broken by Paul Radcliffe of England)
· First woman to run the marathon in under 2 hours 19 minutes. (2001)
· First four-time women’s winner of the Boston Marathon (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005).
· Silver medalist in the 2005 World Championships and 2004 Olympic Games, and a gold medalist in 2003 World Championships.
· Named Runner’s World Magazine Road Runner of the Year (1996, 1998, 1999) and Running Times Magazine Road Racer of the Year (1996, 1998)
· Placed 3rd in the 2006 ING New York City Marathon.
· Currently lives in Kenya with her husband and daughter.
source RunOttawa
|
