Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
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The end of 2009 was
marked by two
contrasting AIMS
races. On 31
December the
St Catherine
Marathon
Twelve hours later. as the clock ticked into 1 January, 600 runners took part in the Neujahrsmarathon Zurich |
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Happy New Year to
runners everywhere.
Celebrating just a
few hours early, the
picture shows James
Kwambai and Pasalia
Kipkoech on the
rostrum at the Sao
Silvestre 15km road
race in Brazil, in
its 85th edition the
great-grandfather of
all New Year's Eve
races.
The Neujahrsmarathon Zurich posted the first Marathon times of the year, but the marks to beat just two days into the year 2010 are those run by Fayisa Lilesa (2:08:47)and Atsede Bayisa (2:28:53) in Xiamen, CHN. |
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| Apart from elite performances the year 2010 promises to be bigger and better for race organisers and runners alike, as the numbers entering races continues to rise. But another reason why 2010 will be celebrated with particular enthusiasm is that it marks the 2500th anniversary of the legend of Marathon from which this great sporting challenge was born. There can be few better ways of celebrating this event than running a Marathon during the year - so make your New Year's resolution now. | |||
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Australia’s largest
marathon event, the
Gold Coast
Airport Marathon,
will grow into a
two-day event in
2010.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said: “For eight years in a row, this event has set new attendance and registration records and it will bee the same next year.” The 32nd Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on the weekend of 3-4 July with the Southern Cross University 10km Run now being a stand-alone race on the Saturday. “Spreading the events over two days means a better event all round for spectators, supporters and participants. Less crowding also means less potential for injury on the course,” Ms Bligh said. “The follow-on effects for the tourism industry will be significant, with more people wanting to enjoy the spectacular Gold Coast”. The tourism impact of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon was highlighted again this year by the 4,738 entrants that came from interstate and 1,993 from overseas. The event was first staged 30 years ago, with 691 runners. This year 23,398 people took part from every Australian state and territory and from 42 countries. The full program of races includes the Gold Coast Airport Marathon (42.195km), ASICS Half Marathon, Southern Cross University 10km Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 5km Challenge and Queensland Health Junior Dash (4km and 2km). Queensland Events Gold Coast General Manager Cameron Hart said “Moving the 10km Run to Saturday provides an opportunity for that race to grow in stature to be one of the key 10km road races in Australia,” Other changes for 2010 include the ‘Year of the Marathon’ celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the running of the original marathon by Athenian soldier Pheidippides who ran to Athens from the battlefield of Marathon where the Greek Army had won a crucial battle against the invading Persian Army in 490bc. The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is a major event managed and presented by Queensland Events Gold Coast a wholly owned subsidiary of Queensland Events. Visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au |
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In 2010, the world
Marathon movement
celebrates the
2500th anniversary
of the Marathon
Battle (490 BC) and
the legend of the
Greek soldier-runner
who ran from the
village of Marathon
to Athens bearing
the message of
victory to the
Athenians. This
legend provided the
impetus for the
establishment of the
Marathon as an event
during the first
Modern Olympic
Games, held in
Athens in 1896
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On the occasion of this
anniversary, the
Hellenic Athletics
Federation (SEGAS) and
the Athens Classic
Marathon (ACM)
Organizing Committee, in
collaboration with AIMS,
created a unique logo
which can be used as a
supplementary item by
race organisations all
over the world during
the year 2010,
highlighting the
importance and symbolism
for world peace and
solidarity that the year
2010 brings.
For more information click the link in the left side menu or here. |
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The Fubon Taipei
Marathon
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In the
Maraton
Powerade
Monterrey
The Antarctic Ice Marathon
The
Taipei
International
Marathon
will
be
held
on
20
December.
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On Saturday
5
December,
Marathon
d'Afrique
was the
first race
of the
weekend,
followed by
the
Reggae Marathon
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On 6 December a
veritable cavalcade of
events unfolded,
initiated by the 63rd
edition of the
Fukuoka Open Marathon
Championship
The Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon Further south the Pampulha Lagoon International Road Race |
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No one could
touch
defending
champion
Jonathan
Balzan in
the 19th
Malta
International
Challenge
Marathon
On 29 November the 34th Lake Kawaguchi Marathon was run on roads carpeted with autumnal red-leaves and offered superb views of Mount Fuji from the lakeside course. In a more urban setting, the Shanghai Marathon for the Toray Cup There was a close finish in the XXVI Firenze Marathon Bringing the day's events to a close the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon |
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26
November:
All
available
20000 spaces
for the 2010
Comrades
Marathon
were snapped
up in record
time, and
since the
close of
entries
earlier this
month, race
organisers
have been
inundated
with
requests
from runners
to reopen
entries.
After careful consideration and consultation it has been agreed that 2000 additional entries will be taken. These will ONLY be available from 09.00 on the morning of Saturday 30 January 2010 and ONLY at Mr. Price Clothing, Sport and Home Stores in South Africa. Entries will close as soon as 2000 entries have been received, which is likely to be within the first hour. No further opportunity to enter will be available after this period. No Fax, postal or online entries will be taken, nor is there any opportunity to enter at Comrades HQ in Pietermaritzburg. Potential entrants must make sure that they are at a Mr. Price Store early on Saturday 30 January 2010. The decision to allow a further 2000 runners to enter was based on statistics gathered over the last 10 years which indicate a normal attrition rate of 10% from entry to starting line (due to runners failing to qualify or becoming ill or injured). It is anticipated that there will be 20000 runners who actually line up at the start on race day. The Host Cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, as well as the various disaster management agencies within the local and provincial governments have been alerted to the magnitude of the 2010 Comrades Marathon. Gary Boschoff, CEO of the Comrades organisation recalled that “during the millennium race in 2000, 24500 runners started, and many complained about congestion. Under advice from disaster management specialists we fixed the 20000 limit to participation in the 2010 Comrades Marathon”. Comrades thank all runners for their patience and understanding, and look forward to celebrating the 85th running of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday 30 May 2010. |
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25
November:
The
Marine Corps
Marathon
has teamed
up with
The
Washington
Post to
introduce an
online
publication
written by
high school
students.
The Post
Race is the
end product
of an
innovative
partnership
between the
Marathon and
The
Washington
Post Young
Journalists
Development
Program. The
publication,
hosted on
the MCM
website (www.marinemarathon.com),
presents
five feature
articles
written by
the students
along with
their
photography.
“This program offers students full media access to a world class event,” said Marc Goldman, MCM sponsorship and marketing manager. “In return, everyone can enjoy reading the work of these young journalists that offers a very different perspective of the marathon.” Ten area student journalists were provided media credentials granting access to all MCM events including the expo, the kids fun run and the Marathon itself. Prior to the event, the students attended a workshop organized by The Washington Post where they received reporting tips from Post sports writers Les Carpenter and Steve Yanda. Students were able to use on-site media facilities and were provided with the same support materials as the 200 professional journalists who covered the Marine Corps Marathon. “At The Washington Post, we believe that the best journalism comes from different people of different ages writing with their own, unique voice,” said Post coordinator Mario Iván Oña. “As they say, 'Every age has its wisdom.' This is an extension of that idea, and I think people will find these young journalists' work quite stimulating.” |
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22 November featured no less than 11 AIMS events on five continents, starting with the Penang Bridge International Marathon
In Europe the Cyprus Aphrodite Half Marathon
In Brazil the Corpore Club ran their 10km Corpore Sao Paulo Classic
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GOLDEN HORN
SOUNDS AGAIN
AIMS PR manager for Turkey, Osman Atakan Tekin writes: The Golden Horn Half Marathon, a former AIMS member, is to be held again on Sunday 04 April 2010, after a 17-year break. Please visit the Golden Horn Half Marathon page at www.maratonturk.com to see its seven-year (1987-1993) history. SPOR A.Ş. (Organizer of the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon) of the Greater Istanbul Municipality is the organiser of this race which will be run around the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Those interested may contact me by email via maratonturk@hotmail.com |
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| The legend return back, www.maratonturk.com/sayfa/goldenhorn.jpg | |||
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On 13
November the
9th edition
of the
Pharaonic
100km
Still on the Fringes of the Sahara desert, next day on 14 November, Paolo Venturini (3:07) and Alice Modignani (3:41) were victors in the Chott Marathon Extreme 15 November started with the inaugural Yokohama Women's International Marathon The Garda-Trentino Half Marathon |
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The City of Glasgow will celebrate next year's 2500th anniversary of the legend of Marathon with a city-wide school event that seeks to encourage the city’s young people to participate in sport and physical activity. Glasgow’s Mile-a-thon event was launched on 12 November 2009 by former Scotland football manager Craig Brown, along with Bailie Iris Gibson, representing Glasgow’s Lord Provost Bob Winter.
The event challenges pupils to complete the full marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards (42195m), by running or walking the distance in sections, for example 1 mile at a time. At the end of their ‘marathon’ each pupil will receive a special certificate or medal commemorating his or her achievement. According to legend, in 490BC a Greek soldier called Pheidippides ran from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon.
Every primary, secondary and ASN (Additional Support Needs) school in Glasgow is being offered the opportunity to participate. A key objective of the event is to involve as many young people of all ages and abilities.
The event finishes with a special celebration day event to be held at Hampden in June 2010. Schools will be invited to send their fastest boy and girl, along with a pupil who has embodied the spirit of the marathon by showing dedication and enthusiasm. The participants will have the opportunity to take part in a final mile race to identify Glasgow’s fastest boy and fastest girl who will be encouraged to continue their interest in running at local athletics clubs. School pupils will raise funds for The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice that looks after people with a terminal illnesses and provides support for their families in Glasgow. The funds raised will go towards a Childrens’ Bereavement Service. Event partners are Education Services Glasgow City Council, The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, the National Stadium Sports Medicine Centre at Hampden, the Association of International Marathons & Distance Running (AIMS) and PMPR Excellence PR & Sports Promotion. Glasgow’s Lord Provost Bob Winter said: “We’re always trying to encourage all Glaswegians to get more active. This is a great opportunity for all our young people, especially those who’ve never tried running before, to give it a go and in the process help their city to mark the 2500th year of the birth of the Marathon. The marathon is described as one of the greatest benchmarks of fitness, health and achievement and we are delighted that our school children will have a chance to be involved in marking this important birthday year." AIMS President Hiroaki Chosa commented: “2010 marks a significant milestone in the history of marathon running, the 2500th anniversary of the historical run from Marathon to Athens. All across the World, runners will be celebrating this special year. AIMS is delighted that the City of Glasgow has chosen to celebrate this anniversary with an innovative event that seeks to encourage participation in running as part of a healthy lifestyle for its young people." |
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At the 3rd
AIMS-IAAF
Marathon
Symposium on
7 November (the
day before the
Athens Classic
Marathon) the
topic under
discussion was
Charity Programs
within the
Marathon
movement. AIMS
Vice President
Paco Borao set
the context with
reference to the
forces of
co-operation and
solidarity that
have emerged
from the
Marathon
movement. Vivek
Singh, from the
Standard
chartered Mumbai
Marathon,
explained what
had been done to
motivate
corporate bodies
into recruiting
their own
fundraising
teams as part of
their corporate
social
responsibility
programmes. This
frees the
private
enterprise
organising the
race itself to
act as
facilitators
rather than with
any direct
contact, which
would create
mixed messages.
After the first session the symposium broke up to attend the lighting of the flame ceremony. “There could not be a better place than here, at the Tomb of the fallen at the battle of Marathon, to renew our commitment to running, based on fair play, friendship and peace,” said Paco Borao.. "AIMS is an association devoted to promote running through expanding knowledge and experience between members for the well-being of our favourite sport". After the official opening of the Marathon Museum, by the President of Greece, attendees returned to the Athens Classic Marathon start line in time to meet the marathon flame, which had been carried there by a school children's relay from Marathon Tomb. The cauldron was lit and fire transferred to light two small lanterns, which were handed to representatives of two international marathons and the ambassadors of their countries to Greece: The Mumbai Mumbai on 17 January and the Vienna City Marathon on 18 April 2010 will both feature a flame from Marathon. The afternoon session opened with a presentation by John Caine, Special Projects Director of Nova International in Britain, which organises among other events, the Great North Run - the world’s biggest half marathon. John Caine outlined the success story of charity running in Britain. In 2008 the Great Run series had a total of 170,000 runners and generated an amount of 28 million UKL for charity. |
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 Above: The lighting of the marathon flame by an ancient warrior during a ceremony at the Marathon Tomb, the historic venue near the city of Marathon. Photo: Victah Sailer/photorun.net |
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Caine suggested
organisers should
reserve a percentage of
places in their event
for runners who enter
through official partner
charities. The race
organisers pass on entry
vouchers to the
charities which are used
by the runners
themselves to secure
their start number. The
entrants are then
treated by the
organisation as every
other participant. “This
procedure works best in
races which are sold out
so that runners can no
longer enter the race
directly,” explained
Caine. Runners who
decide to run for one of
the charities get a free
entry from one of the
official charities
provided they commit to
raise a certain sum for
the charity - which is
often five times more
than the entry fee which
the charities paid to
the organisers. Mark Dickinson, the race director of the Beirut Marathon, explained that charities buying entries for the marathon is not a workable proposition in Beirut. The race itself has to go out to recruit interested charities and through them receives additional publicity when the charity partner uses its contacts to search for charity runners. In Beirut organisers also make sure that during the TV live coverage a charity phone number is shown where viewers can donate instantly. |
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 Above: Representatives of the Vienna City Marathon who have received the Marathon Flame at Marathon. On the right is the Mayor of Marathon, Spiridon Zagaris. Photo: Victah Sailer/photorun.net |
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Steven Seaton, former
editor of Runners World
(UK), described the
great efficiency with
which the London
Marathon "monetarises"
the value of guaranteed
places in a situation of
over-demand. Four out of
five normal entrants are
rejected in London, but
they can secure a
guaranteed entry by
agreeing to raise a
certain sum for charity.
This varies, but can be
upwards of $3000, making
the "guaranteed entry" a
very valuable asset for
both the charity and the
race organisation, as
charities buy them for
around $500 each. For
the race organisation
this generates a large
proportion of the
overall budget. Seaton
also cited the
cautionary example of
New York, where
charities have to cover
the entry fee and the
costs of travel and
accommodation, if the
runner is coming from
overseas (as many do,
from UK). This means
that the charity
requires very large sums
to be raised in return
for a guaranteed entry,
which it seems cannot be
borne by runners in
sufficient numbers to
ensure the reserved
places are all taken up. Even in some races where there is excess demand for places, such as Berlin and Stockholm, organisers have not opted to reserve places on the basis of higher entry fees for guaranteed places to charities. “In many parts of the world charity running is not common. Even in Europe there is very little charity running,” said Berlin Marathon founder Horst Milde. "Even so we should continue to support the idea of charity running and encourage organisers to include it in their races. It is an important force for society.” |
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The Sharm El Sheik Half Marathon
On 7 November the Taroko Gorge Marathon
Also on 7 November, the 3rd AIMS-IAAF Marathon Symposium was held at the birthplace of the Marathon: the town of Marathon in Greece, on the day before the Athens Classic Marathon
To see what's coming up next scroll to the top of the page. |
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Following the
successful Symposia
of the last two
years, with the
participation of 50
international
Marathons, the
3rd AIMS-IAAF
Marathon Symposium
will be held on 7
November (on the
eve of the annual
Athens Classic
Marathon), at the
venue of the
historic start of
the Athens Classic
Marathon. The topic
for this year’s
Symposium is
“Charity Programs
and Marathon
Movement”.
The Symposium aims to encourage co-operation and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest which will assist organisers in their constant efforts to improve their races. The organisation of an annual Symposium at the birthplace of the Marathon also raises significant symbolism related to World Peace, Olympic Ideals and Fair Play. The Symposium will last 6 hours during which international and Greek keynote speakers will address the theme and participate in round table presentations organized in three consecutive sessions dealing with different aspects of the topic. |
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On
31 October
the
100GSI
event took
place in
Gibraltar.
This event
hosted this
year's IAU
50km World
Trophy
final, held
over a 2km
loop
followed
by six 8km
laps of a
course that
started at
the southern
end of the
famous Rock
and toured
both the
main
shopping
street and
the the
dockyards
On 1
November,
the
JoongAng
Seoul
International
Marathon
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30 October: The Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay, to be held on 15 November, has forwarded the green agenda with the first-ever distribution of virtual goodie bags. Sent last week to an audience of race participants, sponsors and mail list recipients, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Runners have traditionally received a packet, usually in a plastic bag, filled with literature and paraphernalia from other races, retail outlets and sponsors. Unfortunately, much of the information is discarded because it is not of interest to every participant. “The idea behind creating a virtual goodie bag was to allow the runners to view and print or use only the information they want, said Julie Armstrong, marketing communications director of the Big Sur Marathon organization. “This way we’re greatly cutting down waste and saving printing and mailing costs for sponsors.” Runners have responded with the following comments:
The virtual goodie bag is just one of many initiatives undertaken by the Big Sur Marathon organization as it applies for certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, a non-profit group that provides independent, comprehensive certification standards for sustainable athletic events. The categories evaluated include Waste, Climate, Materials & Equipment, Community & Outreach, and Health Promotion. In addition to the virtual goodie bags, the Big Sur Half Marathon will be composting race food and cups, recycling timing tags and expo materials, donating discarded clothing, offering an online rideshare program, purchasing sustainable products, allowing for purchase of carbon offset credits, continuing with its innovative BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) on course water refill station, and more. “The virtual goodie bags are a great public introduction to our greening efforts as we head into this year’s Half Marathon,” said Armstrong. “We’ll be continuing to expand on this for our marathon and other events. We want to be sustainable for the long term.” |
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One of the world's biggest
10km races in one of the
world’s great running
capitals, the Great
Ethiopian Run 10km, has
closed its doors for
registration this year with
more than 33,000 places
taken for the race.
This year’s total is not only a record for the event, exceeding the 32,000 who registered last year, but also the three-week registration period was the shortest in the race's 9 year history - despite an increase in entry fees from last year’s 40 birr (just over $3) to 50 birr this year ($4). Around 200 participants from abroad are also expected at the event including groups from UK, Ireland and Germany, and individual entrants from all over Europe and North America. The race which takes place in Addis Ababa's city centre at an altitude of 7,500 feet is also one of the most fiercely contested 10km in the world with around 500 of Addis Ababa’s top club runners looking to make a breakthrough to the big time. Recent men’s winners including Deriba Merga (2006) and Tsegaye Kebede (2007) have used the race as a springboard for greater international success. Fundraising for charity has also become a strong feature of the race with many participants running for the two official race charities, and several others running for their own charities. More than $40,000 is expected to be raised this year for the "I'm running for a child" official race fundraising campaign. For more information please go to www.ethiopianrun.org |
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No less than nine
marathons were held
on three continents
on 25
October. Runners
in Kenya's flagship
marathon event, the
Standard
Chartered Nairobi
Marathon
Europe featured five
marathons, from the
Aland
Marathon
In North America the
ever-popular
Marine Corp Marathon
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Marine Corps Marathon will announce a new event for 2010 at a press conference on 23 October which will highlight environmental initiatives, a Guinness World Record and certain featured runners.
Race Director Rick Nealis will formally announce a new local running event that organization will produce in 2010. This will be in addition to the Marathon itself, the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon, and a series of smaller races staged on the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. Other topics to be covered at the press conference include the certification process for the MCM's environmental initiatives; the Guinness Book of World Records attempt for most simultaneous massages at the MCM finish line; and an introduction to the cutting edge 3-D mapping technology used to detail the marathon course.. |
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The men’s elite field
for this year’s
Commerzbank Frankfurt
Marathon will be the
strongest in depth in
any German city
marathon. As many as 15
men with sub-2:09
personal bests (among
whom six have run
sub-2:08) will run on 25
October. If weather
conditions are
favourable an exciting
race could develop on
the fast course through
Germany’s financial
capital.
Defending champion
Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot
will be back after his
sensational 2:07:01
debut last year. The 21
year-old will be
challenged by fellow
Kenyans Benjamin Kiptoo,
who had won the Rome
Marathon in spring with
a personal best of
2:07:17, Hosea Rotich (PB:
2:07:24), Jason Mbote
(2:07:37), Joseph
Ngolepus (2:07:57) and
William Kiplagat
(2:06:50). Three-time
Frankfurt winner Wilfred
Kigen had to withdraw
due to lack of form but
his cousin Wilson Kigen
return after placing
second last year.
Gilbert Kirwa, who won
his debut marathon in
Vienna this spring with
a promising 2:08:21 and
Yared Asmerom (Eritrea),
who placed eighth in t
he 2008 Beijing Olympic
Marathon are two others
to watch, along with
debutant John Kiprotich
who last month clocked a
59:23 half marathon.
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The women’s field announced
earlier is also the
strongest in the history of
the event. Rose Cheruiyot
(2:25:48) and Agnes Kiprop
(2:26:22) are among the
favourites.
Up to 13,000 runners are
anticipated in the 28th
edition of Germany’s oldest
city marathon.
For more information visit:
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The Amman
International
Marathon
On 18 October World Champion Bai Xue led a Chinese sweep of the women's podium for the second year in the 29th HYX Beijing International Marathon Over in Europe, or rather just outside it, the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon Across the Atlantic the 15th Goodlife Toronto Marathon |
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14 October: The
Toronto Marathon, to be held
on 18 October, gathers
together some of the
greatest marathon gurus of
the movement in putting
together a panel consisting
of Bill Rogers, Jaqueline
Gareau, Kathrine Switzer and
Roger Robinson,
KATHRINE SWITZER is best known for pioneering official acceptance of women in the marathon, beginning in the late 1960s. She has finished 35 marathons, won the 1974 New York City Marathon and still runs six miles a day. ROGER ROBINSON after a 30-year career as a world ranked runner, Roger is one of the leading authors, speakers and historians on running. Senior writer for Running Times, his articles have been published throughout the English-speaking world. BILL RODGERS won the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon four times each as well as many other international events. JACQUELINE GAREAU Canadian Olympic Marathon runner who won the boston Marathon and was ranked third in the world in 1980. The 15th Annual GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon anticipates over 14,000 runners from 50+ countries will be pounding the pavement from Mel Lastman Square to Queen’s Park with many raising significant dollars and awareness for a host of worthy causes. Over $8.5 million has been raised since 1995. |
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Mary Keitany
destroyed the
opposition in the
18th IAAF
World Half Marathon
Championships
A busy marathon
weekend spread over
four continents
began on 11
October with the
St.George
Melbourne Marathon
In Europe, apart from the World Half Marathon Championships, another six races were held - the Zagreb Marathon & Half Marathon |
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2 October: The final
race of the AIMS
Children's Series 2009
went off with a bang in
Mexico, near to the city of
San Luis Potosi.
Altogether 1200 children between 5-17 years of age and coming from 16 different indigenous communities from the Santa Catarina district took part and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There were seven age groups, each indicated by a different coloured strip on their sleeves. All were winners, just through participating and being given a chance to show their skills. At the finish they received an impressive medal and a goodie bag to help them recuperate containing Powerade, Coca Cola, water, fruit and a pastry. Bicycles were raffled after the races, donated by the Potosi authorities, along with school items and sweets.. |
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| The event took place before dignitaries from the State Education department, the municipality, the Santa Catarina district and the traditional chief of the Santa Maria=2 0Acapulco settlement, as well as AIMS Vice President Paco Borao, who commented: "I want to say that it was a good choice to put this event on in Sta Maria Acapulco". Also present were Jaime Eduardo Morales Reyes, race director of the Maratón Tangamanga and. Martha Irene Morales, AIMS Board member and event director. | |||
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| The Governor of San Luis Potosi Dr. Fernando Toranzo Fernández, showed great sympathy with the event and mobilised assistance to get it organised. In particular, the state departments of security, of roads and transport and of education provided invaluable support. The Children's series started with mainly African events, but has recently expanded to South America with races in Brazil and now in Mexico. | |||
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2 October: The
women’s field of the
Commerzbank Frankfurt
Marathon on 25 October
has been strengthened by the
addition of Kenya’s Agnes
Kiprop and Ethiopia’s
Firehiwot Dado, both of whom
won big spring marathons
this year. While Kiprop took
the Turin Marathon Dado won
in Rome. The Commerzbank
Frankfurt Marathon, which
boasts a new title sponsor,
is Germany’s oldest city
marathon. Organisiers expect
a record entry of up to
13,000 runners. Online entry
is still available at:
www.frankfurt-marathon.com
.
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Agnes Kiprop is unbeaten in her
two main races this year, and
has improved her personal best
as well. Both times she competed
in Turin. After winning the
Marathon in 2:26:22 just two
weeks ago she also won the Turin
Half Marathon in 69:54.
Firehiwot Dado also set a
personal best in the marathon
this year. When she won the Rome
Marathon in March she improved
from 2:37:34 to an impressive
2:27:08. She may well further
improve her time on the fast
Frankfurt course. The 25
year-old has not raced since her
surprise win in Rome and has
fully concentrated on preparing
well for her autumn marathon. Three more runners have been added to the women’s field: Irene Limika (KEN) Shitaye Debella Gemechu (ETH) and Germany’s Luminita Zaituc. Zaituc still is the fourth fastest German woman marathoner ever, from her 2:26:01 victory in Frankfurt in 2001. |
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A
full
marathon
programme
spread
over
four
continents
on
4
October
started
with
the
TBIM
Taichung
Boulevard
International
Marathon
In
the
86th
Kosice
Peace
Marathon
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28 September: Entries for
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon &
Festival of Running on 4
October are 53% up on last year.
Overall the Festival is on
target to attract over 7500
runners in this year of
"Homecoming", in which
expatriate Scots have been
encouraged to return - at least
for a visit.
TV presenter Konnie Huq will be
welcoming runners from all
events across the finish line in
Queen’s Park Stadium in
Inverness, and may even run in
the River Ness 10km. Top
contenders in this year's
marathon are Simon Tonui (KEN)
and David Kirkland, two-time
winner of the Reykjavk Marathon.
In the women's race Joyce Kirui
is the one to beat. In the
Baxters River Ness 10km Lukas
Wambua, with a best of 30:01,
heads the men's field, and Genet
Measso (33:24) of Ethiopia the
women's.
To celebrate the Year of
Homecoming, all participants
have been invited to sign up for
the Run Home Clan Challenge,
with top honours being claimed
by the clan fielding the
strongest show of runners on the
day of the event. A special
event on 3 October, Saturday
morning, the Run Home Highland
Breakfast Run, offers everyone a
sociable way to warm up for race
day, with music inspired by the
Highlands and a hearty breakfast
to help prepare for Sunday’s
challenge.
Race director Malcolm Sutherland
said: "This was the first time
in the eight-year history of the
race that entries could be
secured on a first-come,
first-served basis, and this
change has appealed to many
runners.” Bill King of Baxters
said "we’re delighted that this
year’s event in our Homecoming
year will be the largest one to
date and promises to be a
fantastic day out for runners
and spectators alike.” Marie
Christie, Homecoming Scotland
Project Director, said: “It ’s
great to see event entries have
risen significantly in the
Homecoming year, including
record entries from outside
Scotland.” Convener of The
Highland Council, Sandy Park,
said: “The attraction of Loch
Ness as an international
destination is being borne out
by the record number of
entries".
For more details visit
www.lochnessmarathon.com
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Marathons were
held on four
continents on
27
September,
staring with the
Nedbank
Cape Town
Marathon
The Half
Marathon of
Portugal
Vodafone had
been postponed
from its usual
date until next
weekend (4
October).
Across the
Atlantic it was
mostly
marathons, with
the
Maraton
Internacional de
Foz do Iguazu
In North
America Kenneth
Mungara set
a Canadian
all-comers
record of
2:08:32 in the Scotiabank
Toronto
Waterfront
Marathon
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24 Sept:
The Marathon des
Alpes Maritimes Nice-Cannes,
due to take place on 8
November, has already
received 8435 entries, with
a 15% increase in
participation from foreign
runners on last year's debut
race. For those still
hesitating to commit
themselves note that the
basic entry fee of 65 Euros
will only be available for a
few more days.
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22 Sept: The 7th Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay sold out on 18 Sept, nearly two months ahead of the 15 November race date.
“We’ve grown the field every year, and we keep selling out earlier” said race director Wally Kastner. This year’s cap is 6,000 for the Half Marathon and an additional 1,000 for the 10-Miler, a timed yet non-competitive event open to both runners and walkers.
The race attract runners from 45 states and 12 countries to its course through historic Monterey, down John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row and along the scenic Monterey Bay coastline through the town of Pacific Grove. The out and back route finishes at Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza. Supporting events are held the day before, including the Run Forrest Run 5K and the JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K. Registration will remain open for these events through to race day. For more information and to register for the 10-Miler, 5K and 3K events, visit www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org.
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On 20 September in the 36th real,- Berlin Marathon
In the 25th anniversary Dam Tot Damloop
In the Blackmore's Sydney Running Festival
This year's Buenos Aires City Half Marathon, which would have been the 21st edition in the Argentinian capital, had been cancelled.
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On the occasion of the 85th
anniversary, the organisers of the
Kosice Peace Marathon
(founded 1924) are presenting the
exhibition 'Tales of the eight
decades" which will tour across
Slovakia throughout September. More
info at
www.kosicemarathon.com. The 85th
edition of the race will take place
on 4 October.
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Action
this
weekend
started on
12
September
with the
Novosibirsk
Half
Marathon
On
13
September
proceedings
started
with the
Moscow
International
Peace
Marathon
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The 3rd
AIMS-IAAF Marathon
Symposium will take
place on 7 November 2009
in the town of Marathon
(GRE)
For invitation,
application form and
further
information click below:
The AIMS
Marathon Symposium was
established with the
first edition held on 3
November 2007
(for full account,
click here)
The intention was to hold the Symposium annually, and the second Symposium took place on 8 November 2008 (for full account, click here)
For the third
edition, to take place
on 7 November 2009, IAAF
became a joint presenter
of the Symposium
The 4th AIMS-IAAF
Marathon Symposium is
scheduled for 30 October
2010
The AIMS-IAAF Marathon Symposium is held at the birthplace of the classical race, the town of Marathon in Greece. The Athens Classic Marathon is held on the day following the Symposium. The Symposium is a cooperative effort between AIMS, IAAF, the Athens Classic Marathon, the Greek Athletic Federation SEGAS, and the town of Marathon. |
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"It is the aim of the
marathon to bring people
together from all over
the world to a festival
of sport and fair play,"
said Michalis Liapis,
Greece's Minister of
Culture during the
Marathon opening
ceremony at the Tomb of
the Marathon Warriors
for the inaugural
edition of the
Symposium. IAAF General
Secretary Pierre Weiss
said that there could
not have been a better
venue for the Symposium.
"This is the birthplace
of sport and of the
Olympic Games. So the
IAAF happily supports
the AIMS Symposium.
Without the work of AIMS
in the past 25 years the
marathon would not be
what it is today." The AIMS-IAAF Marathon Symposium Organising Committee offers free full-board accommodation over the weekend (Friday-Monday) to one participant per race (regardless of whether they are members of AIMS) up to a limit of 80. Delegates are met at Athens Airport and local transportation is provided. Race organisers interested in participating in the Symposium may be represented by more than one delegate if they bear the cost. Enquiries to: aimsmarathonsymposium@athensclassicmarathon.gr |
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In the 17th Jungfrau Marathon
In Scandinavia the final Finnish marathon of the season, Ruskamarathon
On 6 September The 24th Budapest International Half Marathon
Across the Atlantic the 13th Rio Half Marathon
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4 September: During
the 12th IAAF World
Championships in Athletics
held in Berlin last month
the President of AIMS,
Hiroaki Chosa, hosted a
reception at the
AIMS-Marathon Museum of
Running, located
adjacent to the Olympic
Stadium (the venue for the
World Championships). The
objective was for AIMS to
present the unique asset of
the Berlin museum to the
athletics community,
emphasising the importance
of historical documentation
and research, and tracing
the development of running
around the world.
Hiroaki Chosa emphasised the
importance of the
professional documentation
and preservation of
historical data and said
that running must be viewed
in the context of its
national sociological
development. Horst Milde,
founder of the Berlin
Marathon and a member of the
AIMS Board of Directors,
suggested the integration of
the AIMS-Marathon Museum of
Running into the Berlin
Sports Museum back in 1994,
at the World Congress of
AIMS held in Macau. Since
then, the museum has
collected over 15,000
artifacts, with these
historical treasures from
around the world filling
120m of shelving.
1988 Olympic Marathon gold
medalist Rosa Mota (POR),
was guest of honour at the
reception. Also present were
AIMS Vice President Carlos
Moya (POR), AIMS Secretary
Hugh Jones (GBR) and AIMS
Board member David Martin
(USA) - who has made major
contributions to the museum
from his personal
collection. Evangelos
Papapostolou, of the Greek
Athletics Association SEGAS,
(who had previously provided
materials from the World
Championships in Athens),
attended, along with AIMS
member race organisers from
the Reggae Marathon, the
Virgin Island Marathon, the
Frankfurt Marathon and the
Berlin Marathon.
Exhibitions on display
during the World
Championships were:
The “crown jewels” of the museum are displayed in glass cases in an extra room objects (shoes, jerseys, drink bottles, race numbers, and much more) from the six world records recorded in the Berlin Marathon between 1998-2008. Another display features such basic tools such as a Jones counter for measuring road race courses, the first timekeeping devices from ChampionChip, stop clocks, and starting guns. Only a thousandth of the museum’s collection is on display, with the rest safely stored and documented in the museum’s archives (of which a short tour was taken).
After browsing the exhibits
guests enjoyed refreshments
on the top floor of the
“Haus des Deutschen Sports”
with a splendid view of the
Olympic grounds and the
warm-up field for athletes
in the World Championships.
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Apart from the AIMS reception, the Museum's
Jesse Owens exhibit made the news in all of the
local newspapers, as well as on various TV and
radio stations. 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Naoko
Takahashi visited the museum with a Japanese TV
crew, where she inspected her own glass display
case featuring memorabilia from her two marathon
races in Berlin. The resulting item was
broadcast during the live Japanese coverage of
the World Championships. Dwight Phillips (USA),
Olympic and World Champion at the long jump,
came to the Jesse Owens exhibit with a TV crew
to document the connection between today’s
sports generation and Owens. The
granddaughters of Jesse Owens’ and 1936 long
jump silver medalist Luz Long also came with a
delegation from the US team to enjoy=2 0the
exhibit and pose for photos in front of the
images of their grandfathers.
Many of the materials and objects from the 12th IAAF World Championships Berlin 2009 have now also been added to the collection. For the Museum and its directors Martina Behrendt and Gerd Steins, and their team the weeks before and during the World Championships were the busiest ever. The Berlin Senate also held a reception for foreign journalists in the Sports Museum who were particularly interested by the extensive photo archives.
During the World Championships, many of Germany’s middle- and
long-distance runners from the most successful era of German
athletics (from both the East and West) also visited the Sports
Museum together. Each athlete donated an item of memorabilia from
their earlier sporting years. A major collection resulted, including
national track suits, old running kit, medals, trophies,
photographs, posters, newspaper cuttings.
AIMS has supported the museum in Berlin both in name and financially
and in doing so has provided an important impetus for the
documentation of the sport, helping to provide illumination for
future generations.
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Only 800 entries are left for the 24th
Venicemarathon on 25 October. To ensure
participation register by
If you ran the Venicemarathon in 2007 or
2008 you are entitled to a discount of €
20,00 (insert your Venicemarathon Fidelity
Program code in the space provided on the
registration form.
. . . and another chance. |
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Venicemarathon will make available 500
special bib numbers, in addition to the
6,000 usually available, at a €20,00
premium, with the surplus being given to
Bimbingamba. They will also will be
graphically special numbers, autographed by
Alex Zanardi and Oscar Pistorius.
The Bimbingamba race numbers will allow
runners to start from the second “starting
corral”, even without making the qualifying
time for that position.
When the cap of 6,000 runners is reached,
only the purchase of a Bimbingamba bib
number will assure runners of a marathon
place. Bimbingamba bib numbers will be
available only online, because of the need
to constantly monitor entries and close when
numbers reach 500. Click here to buy your
Bimbingamba bib.
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The Siberian International Marathon
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The Swissalpine Marathon Davos,
On 26 July Yoko Shibui won the San Francisco Marathon
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From the geographic heartland of Europe to its
political-administrative centre the exhibition
"Arrivals", of photographs from the
Prague International Marathon, moved on
to the European Commission headquarters building
in Brussels on 22 July. First
shown from March to May in Prague Airport, the
exhibition was created to mark the 15th
anniversary of the Prague International Marathon
and comprises three sections: outstanding and
emotive images captured from all Prague
International Marathons held so far; a
previously unpublished collection of photographs
from the private archive of Dana Zatopkova,
widow of the Czech running legend Emil Zatopek;
53 poster designs from students at the Academy
of Fine Art, Milan to mark the 15th anniversary
of the Prague International Marathon.
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21 July: World record holder in
the Marathon, Haile Gebrselassie faces a
tough task if he is to record a
hat-trick of wins in this year's
real,- Berlin Marathon.
His main opponent will be Duncan Kibet of Kenya, who won this year’s Rotterdam Marathon in a time of 2:04:27. Only Gebrselassie has run faster - twice - in his two previous wins in Berlin, both of them in world records (2007: 2:04:26; 2008: 2:03:59). In Berlin on 20 September the two current fastest marathon runners in the world will both try to run under the mark Gebrselassie set in last year's race. Kibet made his distance-running debut by taking second place in the Vienna City Marathon in the spring of 2008 (2:08:33) followed by a victory six months later in Milan (2:07:53). With Kibet, the fastest marathoner this year, and Gebrselassie, the fastest marathon runner ever, the real,- Berlin Marathon 2009 will be a showdown between the two top contenders worldwide. The fast course through the German capital has seen six world records since 1998, including the last three men’s world records. In 2000, Naoko Takahashi of Japan became the first woman to run a marathon under 2:20 hours with her victory in Berlin. |
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20 July: Japanese sub-2:20 runner
Yoko Shibui will run one of the San
Francisco Marathon events on 26 July in
preparation for her appearance in the
Marathon at the World Championships in
Athletics in Berlin a month later.
Tera Moody (USA) and Fiona Docherty (New
Zealand), who will also compete in Berlin,
are entered in the second of San Francisco's
Half Marathons (along the second half of the
Marathon course), but Shibui has opted for
the full distance, which includes a
memorable out-and-back tour over the Golden
Gate Bridge.
Seventh fastest female marathoner in the
world, the 30-year-old Shibui set her
personal best of 2:19:41 when winning the
2004 Berlin Marathon, but it was overtaken
as the Japanese national record by Mizuko
Noguchi's 2:19:12 a year later.
"The San Francisco Marathon will serve as a
final long run in my preparations for the
World Championships, and as a time trial to
see where I really am at sea level," said
Shibui who has been training at over 2000m
elevation in Flagstaff, Arizona for the past
two months under her coach, Shigeharu
Watanabe. "San Francisco is a beautiful city
and I'm really looking forward to spending
some time there. Running a marathon will be
a great way to do some sight-seeing. It will
be nice to get 'genki' (good-spirited) power
from my fellow Japanese in San Francisco."
Shibui will not challenge the 2:43:41 course
record as she plans on "cruising" the hilly
marathon course in the 2:45 to 2:55 range
along with her Japanese teammate and
training partner. Last summer, Shibui
competed at the Olympic Games in Beijing
where she placed 17th at 10000m. In January
she won the Osaka Ladies Marathon in 2:23:42
and helped her Japanese national team to
victory at the highly competitive Yokohama
International Women's Ekiden relay.
Tera Moody and Fiona Docherty headline the
deepest-ever female elite field for SFM's
2nd Half Marathon Although the event's 1st
Half Marathon is popular among many runners
primarily because of its scenic tour of San
Francisco's world-famous bay waterfront and
the Golden Gate Bridge, elite runners prefer
the flatter and faster 2nd Half Marathon
course.
Moody, 28, who resides in Colorado Springs,
earned her place on the US World
Championships team by placing fifth at the
2008 US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in a
personal best 2:33:54. "I like to run a half
marathon about a month out from my marathons
and see what I need to work on," said Moody,
whose half marathon best is 1:13:04. "San
Francisco fits in perfectly and I really
love the city."
New Zealand's Docherty is also preparing for Berlin in Colorado (Boulder) where she is coached by former marathon world record holder Steve Jones. Docherty, 33, is "transitioning to the marathon" (her own words) following years as an accomplished triathlete and duathlete. |
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The Great Tibetan Marathon
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17 July: Swissalpine Marathon Davos
(78km) Champions Jonas Buud and Jasmine
Nunige return to defend their titles on 25
July writes Anita Fuchs. Buud became
European 100km champion at the end of June
but the 35-year old Swede has also set his
sights on a third win at the Swissalpine
Marathon in Davos. He would be only the
second athlete to achieve a hat-trick in the
greatest mountain super-marathon in the
world (Peter Camenzind from Zurich triumphed
in the years 1990, 1991 and 1992). Aiming to
frustrate him is Briton Nick Sharp. New to
the Swissalpine Marathon Davos, he won the
Mont Blanc Marathon twice (2006 and 2007)
setting a course record, as well as the La
Plagne 6000 D, a 55km race with 3000m of
ascent and descent.
Jasmin Nunige again faces Lizzy Hawker and Deborah Balz in the women's race (they finished 1-2-3 last year). Hawker won in 2006 and 2007. The Swede Lena Gavelin could challenge, having declared that the Swissalpine Marathon is her main objective this season. "I really like running in the mountains and would like to complete a mountain marathon some time," said the Swedish marathon record holder (2:30:39). |
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Chigaya Mase could also be in the mix, being is one
of Japan's best cross-country runners and last
year's winner of the Sugadaira Skyline Trail Race,
with which the Swissalpine Marathon is setting up a
partnership. She is also a three-time winner of the
Tsuneo Hasegawa Memorial (2003, 2004 and 2007), a
72km mountain race, and a double winner of the 60km
Kepler Challenge in New Zealand (2007 and 2008). A total of approximately 4,500 runners from 50 countries are entered in the eight races. The K78 starts and finishes in Davos, the K42, from Bergün to Davos, is Europe's highest altitude marathon, and the K21 starts on the spectacular Sunniberg Bridge in Klosters. All races pass through magnificent Alpine scenery and offer an unforgettable experience. See: www.swissalpine.ch |
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16 July: "Early bird" registrations
for the Royal Victoria Marathon (CAN)
on 11 October are up 65% over last year.
According to race manager Cathy Noel the
phenomenal increase is due to the economic
downturn making the cheaper fee more
attractive, the race being the 30th
anniversary, and the cap on numbers,
instituted for the first time.
Currently there are 1858 registered for the Marathon, with a cap of 4000; 3246 for the Half Marathon, with a cap of 5000; 745 for the 8K, with a cap of 2500, and over 100 for the Kids' run, with a cap of 1000. “Races are selling out earlier this year than ever before,” says Noel. “People don’t want to miss out and are choosing their destination races way in advance around their travel plans. We have over 1,600 more registrations from British Columbians which is an indication that people are staying closer to home and choosing Victoria as the one to run. We also have over 300 more from Alberta and our numbers from the Pacific Northwest are up.” The marathon is a Boston qualifier and was earlier this year chosen by BC Athletics to host the 2009 Provincial Marathon Championships for junior, senior and master runners, for both men and women. There is $26,000 available in prize money with $3,000 each going to the top male and female and a $5,000 bonus for a new men’s or women’s course record. In 2006, Steve Osaduik broke a 25-year record by winning the Marathon in 2:16:49. To register for the Royal Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K or Kids' Run, visit www.royalvictoriamarathon.com. |
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13 July: This year’s Commerzbank
Frankfurt Marathon will be highlighted
by a duel between those two Kenyans who have
shared the race title for the last four
years: Wilfred Kigen was the winner from
2005 to 2007 while Robert Cheruiyot took
Germany’s oldest city marathon in 2008,
causing a major upset to the favourites. But
this year’s men’s race will also see one of
the most promising European athletes in the
marathon: Günther Weidlinge, who will chase
the 23 year-old Austrian national record.
The Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, which
boasts a new title sponsor, will take place
on 25 October. Entries are up by almost 18%.
If the high interest continues organisers
expect a record field of between 13,000 and
14,000 runners. Online entry is available
at:
www.frankfurt-marathon.com
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Kigen's unique hat-trick of wins included a
course record of 2:07:58, but he lost this to
21-year old Robert K. Cheruiyot, who surprised
with a 2:07:21 timing in his 2008 debut. Kigen,
34, has a personal best of 2:07:33 from Hamburg
in 2007. Robert K. Cheruiyot is not related to
the Boston and Chicago marathon champion of the
same name, but himself placed fifth in this
year's Boston Marathon on 20 April.
Günther Weidlinger, a former world-class steeplechaser from Austria
ran 2:12:39 in his marathon debut at the Vienna City Marathon in
April, missing the Austrian record set by Gerhard Hartmann in 1986,
of 2:12:22. The 31 year-old holds most Austrian distance records,
both on the track and the road, from 1500m to half marathon.
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7 July: Berlin acclaimed as "Marathon of the Decade"
The world-leading role of the real,- Berlin Marathon over the past decade has been recognised by AIMS with an exceptional award, the “Marathon of the Decade”
In a ceremony hosted at the City Hall by Berlin Mayor
Klaus Wowereit, AIMS vice president Paco Borao,
supported by AIMS Board member Horst Milde and AIMS
secretary Hugh Jones, spoke of the importance of the
real,- Berlin Marathon to the distance running movement,
and specifically drew attention to the unparalleled
sequence of World Records achieved in the race over the
past decade. Six world records from 1998 to 2008
document the quality of the Berlin event. These were:
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Apart from the quality of the leading
performers the real Berlin Marathon is also a leader in the number of
marathon finishers, with over 35,000 last year. Klaus Wowereit accepted the award from Paco Borao, saying that the Berlin Marathon serves as an important international ambassador for the city of Berlin throughout the world. He passed the award over to Rüdiger Otto, Chairman of the Berlin Organising Committee, and race director Mark Milde, who is responsible for contracting top athletes for the Berlin Marathon. |
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The Berlin Marathon began in 1974 under the direction of Horst Milde
(race director until 2004) with 286 runners in the Grunewald Forest; in
1981, the race moved into the city with the start at the Reichstag. From
1990 - after the fall of the Berlin Wall a then record 25,000
runners competed, theree was live TV broadcasting in Japan, and the
marathon became a top-ranked event. The fast and flat course in Berlin and the enthusiasm of the spectators, together with the quality of organisation are the most important factors in fostering Berlin’s reputation as a city for runners. AIMS President Hiroaki Chosa had also sent a message of congratulation "the Berlin Marathon is an excellent event, which we proudly acknowledge as having written international sports history through its success. It provides an instructional example of how, through close cooperation with city institutions, sport can positively affect the lives of citizens.” |
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6 July: Participants in the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon,
the 34th edition of which is scheduled for 25 October 2009, will
be able to view a virtual, three-dimensional map of the entire
marathon course, thanks to technology from new sponsor Harris
Corporation (NYSE:HRS). Harris is using technology from its
RealSite® product family
to create the stunningly realistic video map, which is now
available on the MCM website at
www.marinemarathon.com.
Harris, an international communications and information technology company, created the realistic 3-D view of the entire 42195m course, including trees, buildings, and signage from start to finish. "Runners like to preview a marathon course but since so many MCM participants come from outside of the D.C. area, this is not always possible," said race director Rick Nealis ."With this technology runners can see the MCM course online from anywhere in the world, with greater detail than ever was possible before". Harris provides geospatial visualization technology and models to business, government and military customers, and has used its patented geospatial RealSite® solution to transform satellite, aerial and ground-based imagery into an extremely accurate model as well as moving videos of the MCM race course. Harris also recently produced 3-D virtual models and videos of the Presidential Inauguration Parade route, the National Memorial Day Parade route and Arlington National Cemetery, with Aerial oblique imagery provided by courtesy of Pictometry Corporation. |
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| 3-D urban models, such as the one of the MCM route, are built from ground, aerial and satellite imagery using technology developed for government customers and are geospatially accurate. Harris has developed nearly 500 global 3-D models during the past five years as a U.S. government contractor. | |||||
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01 July: Night Running Mania will return
to the City of Prague on 12 September. After the
long sunlit evenings of the European summer
months the various races of the Tesco Prague
Grand Prix (including the prestigious
Metro Men’s Race 10km) depart from the Old
Town Square from 18.30 - 20.30. The program
features several competitive and fun races,
including the charity race 3.8km Tesco Run
for Life for the whole family and for those
who would like to support a good cause without
having to participate in a competitive race. It
is open to all age groups and the entire entry
fee goes to support the Childhood Cancer
Foundation Krtek.
The adidas women’s 5km race starts at 19:30 and the Metro Men’s Race 10km at 20:30. Both runs are open to everyone; their popularity has grown rapidly, and this year20over 3500 men and women are expected to take part. Competition is both individual alongside invited elite runners, and among 3-member teams. In the team competition the finish times of all members are added up to decide the winning team. Races are open to all runners more than 15 years of age. Since all events will take place in the magic scenery and late-evening atmosphere of Prague’s lit streets, the Tesco Prague Grand Prix will be an event of unique appeal. |
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"Nightrunning" suggests different things in different
places. In Tromso, at 70degN, it means the novel
experience of running in sunlight after midnight in the
Midnight Sun Marathon. Indeed, no matter what
time of night a race is held during the Scandinavian
summer, it is very likely that "night" refers only to
the time, and not to the state of the light. In other
places night mostly means darkness, and can start from
early evening (although back in Tromso, the "Polar Night
Half Marathon" is held in complete darkness but starts
at 15.00 on 9 January 2010).
Fifty years ago the idea of running in the dark - "nightrunning" - was encapsulated by iconic pictures of Abebe Bikila, striding down the torch lit Appian Way towards Marathon glory in the Rome Olympics. At the same time (from the 1950s) there was a well-regarded race called "Nos Galan", held in the South Wales town of Mountain Ash on New Year's Eve, which attracted world-class talent without paying a penny in appearance fees. Tony Simmons (of Welsh heritage himself) and 10000m world record holder of the time, Dave Bedford, fought an epic battle in one of the last editions of the race's inaugural series (with a surprise win sprung by Simmons). The event was later revived and celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2008. Such is the power of night running that there are very often people willing to assist in the revival of seemingly dead "legendary" races. |
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| Most night races in the last 50 years have been New Year's Eve celebrations, and often in the Hispanic World., whether in Madrid, Amadora (near Lisbon, POR), Las Palmas or the most famous one of all, Sao Paulo. The Sao Silvestre 15km in Sao Paulo "Round the Houses" event started in the 1920s and this year celebrates its 85th edition. | |||||
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The Tesco Prague Grand Prix (CZE)
starts from the City's Old Town Square from 18.30 - 20.30 on 12
September this year. At the tail end of the European summer, this is
still not quite "Nightrunning" - more like "duskrunning" as the light
fades into an evening of relaxed post-race celebrations. But there is one event, held along the Adriatic coast in Italy, that unashamedly identifies itself as the Nightmarathon. Run from the small coastal town of Jesolo, to the west of Venice, the race starts at 20.00, and runs on into the night with a nominal closing time of 02.00. |
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Runners ascended 1100m in the Zermat Marathon (SUI)
Next day - but barely 12 hours later - runners contested at sea level in the Gold Coast Marathon |
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30 June: The next edition of the Turin
Marathon Gran Premio La Stampa will take place on
14 November 2010. This is a big shift in
the calendar from recent years when the race date has been
in April.
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30 June: In view of the economic downturn
in the world and limited interest in travelling long
distances organisers of the 2009
Colombo Marathon have cancelled this year's
event, which was due on 4 October. As a result, the
10th Colombo Marathon will now be on 3
October 2010.
A spokesman for the event commented: "Sri Lanka is preparing for better days in tourism now that the internal "troubles" are over, but the influx is yet to come. From all sides we are hearing that travelers are conserving their cash for basic essentials, and we will bide our time a bit longer." |
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June finished with the busiest racing weekend since April. The
Santa Claus Marathon On 28 June action started in the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon |
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24 June: Latest registration figures for the
next Venicemarathon, to be held on 25 October 2009, show
that two-thirds of the field has already been filled (4000 of
the 6000 available bib numbers have been assigned). If you want
to take part in this iconic event you should not wait - register
now. It is easy to register either online or using a paper form
sent via post or fax, along with a bank transfer for the entry
fee. Participants in the 2007 and/or 2008 editions can benefit
from a "loyalty" discount of 20 Euros if they quote their
Venicemarathon Fidelity Program code in the space provided on
the registration form.
There are accommodation packages for every kind of need. Visit the Venicemarathon website at www.venicemarathon.it or if you prefer to be part of a group contact our tour operator in your country (listed on the race website). |
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22 June: The San Francisco Marathon, to be held on 26
July 2009, has announced a number of leading edge "green"
initiatives to minimize the impact of the event's 20,000 runners on
the environment. The event started "going green" in 2007 and has
since become one of the most environmentally friendly. Road Race
Management includes SFM as an environmentally responsible leader in
its Guide to Greener Running Events. Running USA has noted how SFM
"lined up an impressive list of sponsors to help implement its green
plan."
Last year, runners from all 50 states and 56 countries participated in San Francisco's marathon, two half marathons, and 5km run/walk. "In an eco-responsible state such as California, our event feels an obligation to implement ambitious and inventive earth-friendly policies as an important example and service to our participants," said race director Sophia Li.. "We've increased recyclable and compostable tonnage and significantly decreased waste. Our goal is to preserve ecological resources while providing a quality race." Discarded paper cups and bib numbers, water bottles, uneaten food, registration forms and results sheets, plastic goody and tote bags, and dumped runner's clothing are usually all part of post-race debris. CO2 emissions are generated by thousands of runners traveling to a race. Road running, with an estimated 8.9 million annual finishers in the US alone (2009) is making a dedicated effort toward environmental responsibility. Eco-logistics specialist Keith Peters claims that "although there's no real count of green races, 67% of those I've polled have changed their environmental outlook in the past 18 months, Race directors are responding to market trends and are becoming greener because information and resources are out there to help them produce greener events." San Francisco Marathon is taking a lead role in this trend by:
SFM has created a 5-year plan for continuing its environmental efforts. For more please visit the event's web site at www.runsfm.com. |
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The world's most northerly certified marathon, the Midnight Sun
Marathon
On 21 June, action switched to the western hemisphere with the Tangamanga Marathon |
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Only the fittest, or craziest runners do back-to-back marathons,
much less 3,000 miles apart. In 2010, in celebration of their 25th
presentation, the Big Sur Marathon will honor those runners
willing to accept the challenge.
Challenge entries will be open to a limited number of participants on a first come, first served basis during registration, which opens on 1 September 2009. Those who sign-up will receive a Boston 2 Big Sur ASICS jacket, a custom participant bib and finisher's medallion, and will celebrate their accomplishment in a special finish tent in Big Sur's Marathon Village. If you sign up for the challenge, you must either qualify to run Boston in 2010 (unless you are already qualified) or register through their charity program. When you pick up your pack at Big Sur, you must also present proof that you did finish Boston in 2010 (print out your finish information from Boston's online results). Questions may be emailed to: sally@bsim.org, or call 831.625.6226. |
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The Laguna Phuket International Marathon
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Rio de Janeiro is a natural sporting arena, also famous for bio
diversity and its coastline. Satellite images show just how close
forests penetrate into the urban area. Designing “out of stadium”
sites and courses for events like the Marathon, the next edition of
which will be held on 28 June, allows these qualities to be
showcased, always allowing for issues concerning safety and
environmental protection.
Rio Marathon, run since 1980, was one of AIMS' founder members. |
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| The original course was a triangular loop between Copacabana Beach, Rio's downtown area and Leblon Beach and hosted the likes of Bill Rodgers, Joyce Smith, Kjell Eric Stall, Juma Ikanga, and Lorraine Moller. Since 2000 Rio City Marathon has opened up the loop into a point to point course starting from Recreo dos Bandeirantes and following the coastline all the way into town, to finish at Flamengo Beach. On the way it takes in Sao Conrado. Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Botafogo beaches. The second half of this course hosted the IAAF World Half Marathon Championship last October. | |||||
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As part of the race expo on the three days
prior the race there will be an exhibition of children's nature drawings
from the Mangueira Social Program and photos from Floresta da Tijuca
environment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuca_Forest
). For more information see: http://www.maratonadorio.com.br/site_ingles/index_ingles.html |
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The RAK Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates opened for
entries on 1 June, more than seven months before the next race, due
to be held on 12 February 2010. Race director Nathan Clayton
explained "opening registration early allows people to plan their
sporting season and to schedule any required training programs well
in advance. It helps HR managers advertise the event and prepare
company teams; an aspect that has become increasingly popular within
the event and it adds value to our sponsors who can now benefit from
association to an event that continues to create a buzz almost the
whole year round."
The race organisers have simultaneously re-launched the event website with a fresh new feel and the ability to browse through it in a choice of English, Arabic or German. "We introduced the Arabic language site last year and felt this year, due to the popularity of the event among German runners, that is was appropriate to offer a higher level of service to German speakers." added Clayton. As in previous years special 'Early Bird' prices are offered: "during June online registrants can save up to a total of 280dhs over what they may pay if they register last minute," Clayton stated, adding that registration would also close much earlier than previous editions, on 30 November this year. For full information see www.rakmarathon.org |
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On 7 June interest focused first in Eastern Europe and then in South
America. The Zelenograd Half Marathon
In South America the classic Ultimas Noticias 15km |
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The Stockholm Marathon
The Sunfeast World 10km The Edinbugh Marathon The 5-stage 100km of the Namib Desert, which was due to take place the following week, has been postponed to 2010 because too few participants had signed up to justify the usual departures from Europe. |
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Once it was Canada, then it was Mexico, and now it seems to be Egypt:
AIMS membership typically grows in fits and starts, and the latest
"seizure" seems to be in Egypt. Longtime AIMS members Egyptian
Marathon
and Pharaonic 100km have recently been supplemented by the El
Gouna Marathon and the Sharm El Sheikh Half Marathon - but
that is just half of the story. Back on 31 December 2002 an event was established at the foot of Mount Sinai ("Moses Mountain") to receive the New Year in a spirit of peace (The St Catherine Marathon is run under the subtitle: "Running for the sake of peace)". It became an AIMS member in 2003, but there was great uncertainty about its future during 2008, and membership lapsed. In fact the race did take place that (last) New Year's Eve, and it is now back on a firm footing under its founder, Tarek Moshref, whose own company Prontotours is now responsible for the event in its entirety. Over the years runners have come from far and wide: Germany, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic, as well as the Egyptians and the local Bedouins of Sinai. Bedouin participation is of great significance. Marathon day has become a very special day for them, as they await the New Year through it. This was the original objective: to establish a sporting activity in St. Catherine in which Bedouins would be involved as participants alongside runners from all over the world. In doing the Marathon's motto is made good. Prontotours is also in the process of establishing a new event, the Egyptian Red Sea Marathon, over a two-lap course in the highly popular tourist resort of Sharm El Sheikh. The inaugural edition will take place on 21 March next year, and will bring Egyptian membership within AIMS to a total of six events - up from only two in 2008). |
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The Terwamarathon
On 24 May the Copenhagen Marathon Over in North America the Ottawa Marathon |
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14 May: David Cheriuyot and Lioudmila Kortchaguina, the most
consistent athletes of the Ottawa Marathon over the last half
decade, are returning to the Canadian Capital for the race on 24
May. Cheriuyot has only lost once since his first appearance in 2005
(when he was 4th in 2006). In each of his wins he has outsprinted
successively younger runners. If he does it again, he will become
the second ever four-time winner of the race. “My goal is to break
the course record this year,” said Cheriuyot. “I will try my best.
His main competitors are Luka Chelimo (Kenya), Ketema Amensisa
Tadesse (Ethiopia) and Ahmed Baday (Morocco). Chelimo, who has the
fastest personal best in the field (2:10:30), is still looking for
his first marathon win. Tadesse and Baday have also run marathons
under 2:11. Canadian challengers this year include Reid Coolsaet,
Canada’s top 5000m runner, who hopes to qualify for the World
Championship team in his debut marathon. The last time a Canadian
male made the podium in Ottawa was in 2003.
Toronto’s Lioudmila Kortchaguina is again favoured to win, as she has four out of five times: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 (she also placed second in 2005). She could become the first ever five-time winner of the Ottawa Marathon, but will have to overcome defending champion and course record holder, Asmae Leghzaoui (Morocco). Other challengers include Liza Hunter-Galvan (NZL), a consistent 2:30 marathoner, Irene Jerotich Kosgei, a 2:31 marathoner who won the Nairobi Marathon, and Selomie Getnet (Ethiopia) who has already run 2:33 this year.
For more information:
www.runottawa.ca
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Negotiating 5164 steps in the Great Wall Marathon
In the Goteborg Half Marathon Action on 17 May began at the other end of the Baltic Sea with the Nordea Riga Marathon |
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The Pisa Marathon |
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17 May: Australia's Benita Johnson will attempt to
become only the second woman in the 31-year history of the
Freihofer's Run for Women 5km to win four consecutive titles on
30 May in Albany. Johnson, a former world cross-county champion, will
try to match American Lynn Jennings' four victories (1993-1996) on the
scenic course that weaves through New York's state's historic capital
city. "This race holds a special place in my heart," said Johnson, who hit the tape last year in 15:46. "Each year I experience a huge rush of excitement and adrenalin. |
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| One of the rare athletes who can compete at distances from the mile to the marathon, Dryer beat Jennings through tactical savvy and a decisive kick as she exited Washington Park. | |||||
Benita Johnson
Photo: Jeff Foley (jefffoley.com)
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| Race director George Regan also announced that SUBWAY® Restaurants and the technology company CSC have signed on as corporate sponsors. As part of its agreement, SUBWAY will offer a $5 off race entry coupon at each of its 105 locations throughout the Albany metro area. "CSC will become an integral part of our greening effort" said Regan. "By using biodegradable paper cups, CSC staff will help prevent thousands of plastic bottles from ending up in the landfill." | |||||
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At the BIG 25km In the Volkwagen Prague Marathon |
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Founder of the Prague International Marathon in 1993, Carlo Capalbo
was elected to the AIMS Board of Directors at the 17th World
Congress of AIMS held in Sao Paulo on 4 April. After creating the Prague
Marathon in 1993 (the 17th edition of the race is held on 10 May), Carlo
Capalbo founded the Prague Half Marathon (1998) and the Tesco 10km Grand
Prix all of which are AIMS members.. He holds a Law degree and MBA. In
1999 he founded “Tempo Team Sports Marketing” and has driven this
company for the past 10 years with great commercial success. After a
close relationship with AIMS for many years, he was elected to the AIMS
Board for the first time. AIMS President Hiroaki Chosa commented: “We are delighted to welcome Carlo and the valuable expertise and experience he brings to the AIMS Board.” Carlo Capalbo commented: “It is a great honour to be recognised in this way and I see it as an acknowledgement of the progress the Prague International Marathon has made as a major event and iconic sporting spectacular that showcases the unique beauty of the city of Prague. I look forward to serving our members and working hard to advance the sport of distance running.” |
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| Carlos Moya (Lisbon Half Marathon,Vice President), Gordon Rogers (Vancouver) and Dave Cundy (Canberra) were all re-elected to the AIMS Board of Directors at the 17th World Congress. The AIMS Board of Directors currently consists of: Hiroaki Chosa (President), Paco Borao (Vice President), Carlos Moya (Vice President) Horst Milde, Gordon Rogers, Dave Cundy, Vivek Singh, Martha Morales, and Carlo Capalbo. | |||||
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AIMS will mark the 2500th year of the marathon by staging its 18th
World Congress in Athens on 28-30 October 2010. The organisers of
the Congress will be the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), the
organisers of the annual Athens Classic Marathon held every November
over the original marathon course, from the town of Marathon to Athens
city centre. The word "marathon" is now part of every day language yet its story is a unique tale of sporting and cultural history. The legendary Greek soldier-runner Pheidippides ran from the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming 'We won.' before collapsing and dying. The right to stage the Congress was won against strong bids from: Prague (CZE), Jungfrau (SUI) and Durban (RSA). AIMS Director and Berlin Marathon founder Horst Milde comments: "Members felt that the opportunity to mark the 2,500th year of the Marathon was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a sporting concept that has caught the imagination of the world and has come to be seen as a personal benchmark of health, fitness and achievement for runners everywhere." |
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The 2010 Congress will be staged alongside the 4th edition of the
AIMS-IAAF Marathon Symposium, which is held annually in the town of
Marathon, the day before the Athens Classic Marathon, looking at current
and topical issues within the sport of distance running. The Congress
and Symposium is open to AIMS members and all race directors around the
world. Those interested in attending the 3rd AIMS-IAAF Marathon
Symposium this year, to be held on 7 November 2009, should contact:
aimsmarathonsymposium@athensclassicmarathon.gr As a gesture to the Marathon Movement and a way of marking the upcoming 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon SEGAS, in collaboration with AIMS and the town of Marathon, have since 2007 created the "Marathon Flame" which is lit yearly at the Tomb of Marathon, the day before the Athens Classic Marathon, and is taken to many events around the world symbolizing the sport's remarkable history. If you are interested in having the Marathon Flame visit your city/event contact the Hellenic Athletics Federation and Athens Classic Marathon: info@athensclassicmarathon.gr |
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The 27th edition of the Maratòn Internacional de La Ciudad de Mexico will take place on 27 September. The original August date cannot be maintained because of the N1H1 flu epidemic. Following World Health Organisation guidelines a 90-day period has been allowed for this medical contingency and for this reason the Mexico City Marathon will now take place on 27 September. | ||||
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Organisers of the Venicemarathon Trofeo Casinò
di Venezia claim that, in common with many other races already held
this year, they just do not notice the effects of the crises in terms of
runner participation. In common with many other races, they have
experienced a significant increase in registrations, even six months
before the event is held on 25 October. Over 2,500 athletes already
registered by 10 April, to be sure to have a place. "Race logistics oblige us to fix a cap at 6,000 runners" states the Organising Committee. "Runners are planning further in advance. Entries are 1000 up on the same time last year." |
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Increased domestic and foreign participation has been partly due to the
tripartite promotional campaign of the Treviso (29 March), Santo Antonio
(26 April) and Venice Marathons, supported by the Veneto region with the
appeal: "Come to Veneto to run". The Venicemarathon on 25 October will support the conservation of Venice's architectural heritage through the S.M.S.project (Saint Mark's Square), a co-operative effort from the Venice Municipality, the Environment and Architectural Heritage Society of Venice and Fran Tomasi & C. The project aims to protect special historical monuments like the Ponte di Rialto, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Procuratie Nuove. For further information visit: www.smsvenice.com |
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To better experience the Venicemarathon the Organising Committee offers
special packages to runners. Accommodation can be booked through the
race website or through official tour operators in runners' countries of
residence. Runners can register online at
www.venicemarathon.it, with
payment by credit card; via post or fax, with payment by bank transfer
or through official tour operators. The Fidelity Program offers runners
who took part in 2007 or 2008 a discount of 20,00 Euros. For further information visit: www.venicemarathon.it |
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Almost six years after achieving his spectacular 2:04:55 world record in the Berlin Marathon, Paul Tergat returns to the German capital. His next race will be Germany's oldest city road race, the BIG 25 in Berlin on 10 May. The 25km race was initiated by the French forces in West Berlin in 1981 and was then called 25km de Berlin. It is renowned for its spectacular finish on the blue track of the Olympic Stadium. The course leads the runners from the arena through the city centre, including the Brandenburg Gate, and back to the stadium which will host the IAAF World Championships this August. Organisers expect up to 10,000 entries for their race, which will also include a 10mk race and a 5x5km relay. For those who want to run in the same race as Paul Tergat online entry is available at: www.berlin-laeuft.de | ||||
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"We are extremely happy to have signed one of the best runners in
athletics history" said race director Gerhard Janetzky. "Paul Tergat is
one of running's giants and a true ambassador of the sport." Tergat was the first man to win the World Cross Country Championships five times in a row (1995-1999), but he was also very successful in track and road races. In the 1990s he broke world records at 10,000m on the track and 15km and half marathon on the road. In 2003, in Berlin, he improved the world marathon record to 2:04:55, breaking 2:05 for the first time. On 10 May he will return to Berlin and compete at the BIG 25 for the first time. |
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The race starts outside the Olympic Stadium and takes runners through
the centre of the German capital, passing the Brandenburg Gate,
Friedrichstraße, Potsdamer Platz and Gedächtniskirche.
Organisers expect around 9,000 entries, including those in associated
10km and 5x5km relay races, and a children's event. More information is available online at: www.berlin-runs.com |
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In the Maratona d'Europa
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28 April: The BMO Vancouver Marathon, due to be run on 3 May, this year celebrates 100 years of marathon running in the city. The first ever Vancouver Marathon was held on 24 May 2009 and was won by local runner Will Chandler in a time of 3:22:11.2. Mayor Charles Douglas fired the starting pistol, setting eleven runners off around a running track in the City's Recreation Park in front of 2500 spectators. The race distance is not recorded, and marathons at that time could be anything from 40km to the now standard distance of 42.195km. The current trophy that will be awarded to the men's winner of the BMO Vancouver Marathon on 3 May is the same as that received by Chamdler nearly 100 years before, and in the 1990s was valued at $30,000. | ||||
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The Dalian Marathon in China opened proceedings on
26 April, followed the other end of Asia by the
HSBC Earth Run Half Marathon
Within Europe the Rijeka Half Marathon Over on the west coast of America, the Big Sur International Marathon |
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"There is no Austrian race you can compare with the Vienna City Marathon, so it will be an easy decision for me," said Andrea Mayr when asked if she would come back to the race next year as the defending champion. The 29 year-old set a highlight at the 26th edition of the race by winning her marathon debut in an Austrian record of 2:30:43. Despite the fact that there were only marathon debutants in this year's elite fields a record number of four sub-2:10 times were achieved in the men's race. Kenya's Gilbert Kirwa was the winner with a fine 2:08:21 debut. Altogether 29,054 runners from 100 nations had entered the event in the Austrian capital. | ||||
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| As in the past few years the winners were received by the President of Austria, Mr. Heinz Fischer. Gilbert Kirwa and Andrea Mayr were accompanied by Günther Weidlinger (Austria), who had finished ninth in his debut race on Sunday with 2:12:39, and Race Director Wolfgang Konrad when they met the President for the reception in the famous Wiener Hofburg which is next to the finish line of the race. Mr Heinz Fischer is a runner himself and said, of this year's debutants-only elite race, "also I could have joined in as well!" | |||||
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On 20 April Deriba Merga and Salina Kosgei triumphed in
the 113th edition of the BAA Boston Marathon
Victor Kigen surged away in the final 10km of the 22nd Banca
Intesa Belgrade Marathon
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The April-June edition of Distance Running has been published and is now being distributed to members. The main editorial content is available on the AIMS website <here>. The next edition of Distance Running will be for July-September 2009, with an advertising and editorial deadline of 9 June 2009. | ||||
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34th Marine Corps Marathon sells out in 16 Days 17 April 2009: The Marine Corps Marathon closed registrations for their event on 25 October 2009 just before noon on 17 April. In 16 days the race registered runners from all 50 USA states to fill the 30000 places available in the 34th running of "The People's Marathon." Marine Corps is the fifth largest marathon in the US and 10th in the world. "Closing registration so fast endorses the value people place on running - despite economic uncertainties," said race director Rick Nealis. "Investment return is measured in terms of health, self confidence and personal achievement." Nearly 5,500 runners registered in the first hour after registration opened on 1 April. For those runners who missed online registration, a limited number of entries remain available through the MCM charity partner program. Additional information is available on the MCM charity partner page of www.marinemarathon.com. |
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Debut duo excite home fans Günther Weidlinger will take on the final challenge of his career in the Vienna Marathon on 19 April. The 31 year-old former world-class steeplechaser will adopt a conservative approach - but still targets a record. The national marathon best stands at 2:12:22 to Gerhard Hartmann back in 1986. If Günther Weidlinger breaks it he will become the first ever Austrian to hold all national records from the steeple to the Marathon. "No one would have believed me if I had said I just wanted to run 2:15" said Weidlinger. "If I break the Austrian record in my debut that would be perfect. As for my possible future marathon career, I hope to run below 2:10." "I actually I like the training. Maybe I should have started two years earlier and targeted the Beijing Olympics - but I did run an Austrian record in the 10,000m last year." Weidlinger completed the Prague Half Marathon on 28 March in 63:26. Andrea Mayr, world champion mountain runner, also debuts in the women's race, and is likely to be a better bet for the podium than is Weidlinger in the men's event. |
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The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (56km)
The first annual Daegu Int'l Marathon The North Pole Marathon |
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8 April: In an unprecedented move the organisers of the Vienna
City Marathon have decided to issue elite invitations only to debut
marathon runners in their event on 19 April. This applies to both men's
and women's fields. Austria's biggest and most prestigious road race is
expected to attract well over 26,000 runners. Around 7,000 of them will
compete in the marathon. It is still possible to register online for all
events at
www.vienna-marathon.com. "We had the idea of staging a "debutants-only" race a year ago, but we saved it for this year" said race director Wolfgang Konrad. "This is because Günther Weidlinger and Andrea Mayr decided to run their first marathon here, which has generated a lot of media interest in Austria. We wanted the race to be a different story this time. All the elite runners will start the race with similar feelings, and some uncertainty – probably much more like the thousands of fun runners who will be running their first marathon that day." Konrad stressed that this is a one-off arrangement and next year the Vienna City Marathon will return to normal procedures. Weidlinger has already been signed for 2010 as well. Austria's steeple chase record holder Günther Weidlinger will meet another former steeple chaser in the race - the Sydney Olympic Champion Reuben Kosgei. Weidlinger also ran in that Olympic final, finishing 8th, his best result at a global championship. "It is great to run in a race with Reuben Kosgei again but it is the Austrian record of 2:12:22 that I am targeting" said Weidlinger. Andrea Mayr may perhaps have a better chance to reach a podium finish in front of a home crowd. The 29 year-old has a successful mountain running background. In 2006 and 2008 she won the World Mountain Running Trophy. One of her strongest opponents will be Kenya's Esther Muthuku, who has a half marathon best of 1:12:28. |
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Some very fast times were posted in Europe on 5 April, with
results from the Fortis Rotterdam Marathon
Benjamin Kipyego led three of his compatriots to sub one-hour times in the Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon In South America, Anne Berwerwe sliced two minutes from the course record of the Sao Paulo Corpore Half Marathon |
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The 18th World Congress of AIMS opened on 2 April in Sao Paulo, prior to the running of the second event in the AIMS Children's Series 2009 on Friday 3 April in Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo before the Sao Paulo Half Marathon Corpore on 5 April. | ||||
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The 17th World Congress of AIMS ended with business conducted
on 4 April.
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The vote to determine the venue for the 18th World Congress of
AIMS went through three close rounds of voting as first Jungfrau
Marathon, then Comrades Marathon and finally Prague Marathon were
eliminated to leave the Athens Classic Marathon as the selected
hosts. The Congress will take place on 28-30 October 2010 and will
coincide with major celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the
Battle of Marathon. The 4th annual AIMS Marathon Symposium, held in
the town of Marathon, will be scheduled on the final day. Allan Steinfeld was made Honorary Vice-President of AIMS. |
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The 17th World Congress of AIMS opened on 2 April at the
Mercure Hotel Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. David Cytrynowicz,
President of the Congress host organisation Corpore, and AIMS
President Hiroaki Chosa welcomed delegates and Roberto
Gesta de Melo, Chairman of the IAAF Road Running Commission and
President of the Brazilian Athletic Federation.
AIMS Vice-President Paco Borao delivered a report on behalf of the AIMS Board detailing progress since the previous Congress was held in Xiamen, China two years before. Apart from the continuing publication of Distance Running and the member Newsletters, AIMS has “fostered and promoted” distance running through the website, expo booths, Athlete of the Year and World Fastest Time awards, the AIMS Children’s Series and some entirely new initiatives such as the AIMS Marathon Symposium, the Marathon flame and the AIMS-Marathon Museum of Running. AIMS has worked closely with IAAF in the joint publication of Distance Running, in the administration of the international course measurement system and on the IAAF Road Running Commission. In furthering the exchange of experiences between members an undertaking was made to elicit best environmental practice among members as a contribution to the Green Project. These activities have taken place against a background of a steadily increasing membership which stood at 271 at the end of 2008 (up from 239 since 2006) and very broad geographical spread, although membership is weakest in Africa. Solid support from commercial partners – above all ChampionChip, Asics and IAAF - has allowed the accumulation of reserves to the level of one year’s operating costs, and provides a valuable safety margin in uncertain times. To better respond to uncertainty a programme of strategic overhaul has been pursued over last ten months through working groups addressing central themes impacting on the Association. These are in the areas of administration, membership, finance and technical matters. Paco Borao stressed that the sporting and social role of the Association depends upon pursuing health and strength through ethical behaviour, fairness and friendship. The second part of the opening session consisted of presentations by Jose Werneck, former race director of the Rio Marathon and founder member of AIMS, and by David Cytrynowicz, who reviewed the efforts of the host club in the wider context of running in Brazil. What most impressed members of the audience were the initiatives undertaken to boost female participation and to further social inclusion within our sport. Carlo Capalbo then explained the means by which Prague Marathon had become established in a country with no popular running tradition through becoming a spectacle and a celebration. Some examples of reaching “outside the box” were given, including a larger-than-life photographic exhibition which has dominated Prague International Airport for several months during the Czech Presidency of the European Union. The session closed with some concluding remarks by Sr. Walter Feldman, Secretary of Tourism, Sport and Leisure for Sao Paulo. Delegates reassembled for a celebratory dinner at 20.00 at which two presentations were made. The AIMS/ChampionChip Innovation Award was not presented as judges considered none of the seven applicants had fully met the criteria of the award, but a special contribution of $2000 was made to the Sahara Marathon in recognition and support of their project making medals from recycled materials. The second award was made to Allan Steinfeld, founder member of AIMS and former race director of the New York City Marathon, in recognition of his dedication and commitment in service of AIMS from 1982-2009 |
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| The second day of the AIMS Congress, 3 April, opened with an interactive session moderated by Hugh Jones which focused on boosting participation among four defined groups: female runners, elite runners, tourist runners and charity runners. Each discussion group reported back to the full meeting with their findings. | |||||
| The official Congress photograph was taken during the coffee break by Marathon-Photos.com. | |||||
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Florian Batschi, a computer scientist with strong connections
to the running market, then presented his thoughts on how race
organisers could make best use of their websites. He stressed the
“Web2” aspects of interaction between users including measures to
meet heaviest periods of usage, online surveys and live streams. Dr William Roberts then considered medical and liability issues for race organisers. He identified the three most common marathon medical hazards as cardiac arrest, exertional heatstroke and exercise associated hyponatremia. He then outlined how these conditions could be recognised and treated, stressing the need to prescribe specific race day arrangements within an explicit plan. In this way race organisers could be seen to have done as much as possible to reduce the risk of these incidents occurring. Many Congress delegates attended the AIMS Children’s races held during the afternoon in nearby Ibirapuera park, where AIMS President Hiroaki Chosa acted as official starter. Official business was conducted on the final day of Congress, 4 April. (see item above). |
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4 April 2009: Registration for the 34th
Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) surpassed 21,000 runners in just
two days. The MCM will continue to register runners until
30,000 entries are filled. In 2008, registration was closed in
five days. Suzanne Barron of Washington, DC was the first of
5,474 runners, or nearly 100 runners per minute, registered in
the opening hour on 1 April. Currently, the MCM field includes
runners from all 50 states. The male-to-female ratio is 56% to
44%. More than one third of the runners are signed up to
participate in their first marathon.
Rolling registration for the 25 October 2009 event is available
at
www.marinemarathon.com.
The $88 registration fee includes
bib, mock neck participant shirt, free virtual trainer, goodie
bag, ChronoTrack timing tag with ten split locations, race
program, shuttle service, free race day parking, on-course and
post-race hospitality, and waiver of online processing charges.
The MCM is the fifth largest marathon in the US and tenth in the world. |
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The inaugural MCM Run to Register (R2R) 10K attracted the largest field
yet in the two-year history of the MCM Event Series. All 1,102 R2R
finishers received guaranteed early access to register for the 34th
Marine Corps Marathon to be held on 25 October 2009, four days
before registration opens to the public on Wednesday 1 April at 12.00
local time (17.00GMT). Entry is limited to 30,000 participants and is expected to fill up very quickly. The online registration process at www.marinemarathon.com includes accepting a waiver, completing the form, clicking through payment ($88) and receiving a confirmation email. (The registration fee includes bib, mock neck participant shirt, virtual trainer, goodie bag, ChronoTrack timing tag with ten split locations, race program, shuttle service, free race day parking, on-course and post-race hospitality, and waiver of online processing charges.) The Marine Corps Marathon course showcases the legendary landmarks of the US capital as it travels throughout Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia. |
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The 37th IAAF World Cross-Country Championships
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Kiplagat took Kenya's first individual title since 1994. Between
them they led Kenya to their first team title since 2001. Eritrea's Zersenay Tadesse led for much of
the senior men's race, but Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam swept past to
win. Like in the junior women's race, Ethiopia and Kenya finished
with equal team tallies, but this time it was Kenya's final scorer who
was better placed, and tipped the balance their way. On the same day the Hervis Prague Half Marathon
There were three more half marathons in Europe on 29 March:
The GSO Limassol Half Marathon
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A strong wind battled runners at the Tokyo Marathon
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19 March 2009: Constantina Dita has been presented with the
AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Award by AIMS President Hiroaki
Chosa at a ceremony held in Tokyo prior to the Tokyo Marathon on 22
March, at which she is guest of honour and will compete in the
associated 10km event. Constantina Dita won the gold medal for the marathon at the Beijing Olympics last August, becoming the oldest Olympic marathon champion ever at the age of 38 years and 7 months. |
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Presenting the "Golden Shoe" award Hiroaki Chosa commented: "Constantina
Dita proved at the Olympics that she is an athlete of the highest
calibre, and it is my pleasure to present her with this prestigious
award on behalf of 270 members of AIMS from around the globe." Constantina Dita said: "It is fantastic to join a list of such esteemed winners of this award. I would like to say thank you to everyone involved". |
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Cool conditions in the Seoul Marathon
On 9 March participants in the 100km del Sahara
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Despite the difficult political and economic conditions faced in
Zimbabwe South African tour operators and race promoters
Wildfrontiers have agreed to stage the Victoria Falls Marathon
again on 23 August this year in partnership with Wild Horizons and
Safari Par Excellence, Zimbabwe. The organisers seek to tap into the
huge goodwill that exists among potential participants and sponsors
towards the resilient people of Zimbabwe.
The race crosses into Zambia and back (over the Victoria
Falls bridge) and is run in a National Park and through
a World Heritage Site of outstanding scenic beauty, It
was held in 2006 and 2007 as an international event,
offering Marathon, Half Marathon and a fun run. The race
has previously attracted runners from 24 countries
spread worldwide and is televised Africa-wide and in the
US. What creates the interest? Maybe the elephants at
the water points or the game on the race route, or
perhaps the post race party on the banks of the Zambezi
River.
The concept of the 2009 event is " Come and Run in a New
Zimbabwe". The current health crises in Zimbabwe cannot be
ignored, and organisers plan to use the event to raise money
for an approved local community health program and for
cholera treatment and education purposes . This concept will
be continued in future events, possibly with different
causes (past events have supported Aids orphans in the
Falls, etc).
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Yoshiko Fujinaga won the Nagoya Women's International Marathon
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Back in 1985 4,300 runners took part in the Dam tot Damloop 10 mile event from Amsterdam Central under the Ij Tunnel to the town of Zaandam. For the 25th edition on 20 September 2009 the organisers Le Champion will stage a preview race the night before, allowing an extra 25000 runners into the event to make a grand total of 60,000 participants. The Dam to Damloop consequently becomes one of the biggest running events in the world this year. Besides the Dam tot Damloop, the Dam tot Dam Walk and the Dam tot Dam CycleClassic are also on the programme. | ||||
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| "A quarter century of the Dam tot Damloop must be celebrated in a big way", said event manager Jan Willem Mijderwijk. "What is nicer than doing that with more runners than ever before?" Further growth on the Sunday has not been possible for years, and the limit of 35,000 participants was reached after three days. | |||||
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"The atmosphere will be completely different to the traditional
programme on Sunday" said Mijderwijk. The competition programme, which
this year comprises a stronger group of top athletes than usual,
confines itself, together with the 4 Mile and the Mini Dam to Dam Run to
Sunday. The Saturday night event will be a recreational 10 Mile Run for
individuals and business teams. Every participant will receive a 176
page 25th anniversary souvenir book. It is expected that the available places for the Sunday programme will be sold out within days. Entries will be possible from 1 April 2009 on www.damloop.nl. |
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On 22 February the Guiseppe Verdi Marathon
Next day, on 23 February, the Sahara Marathon |
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The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
Makau had passed through 15km in 41:30 but at that stage Deriba Merga led him by a second - enough to equal Felix Limo's existing record of 41:29 set in Nijmegen (NED) on 11 November 2001. |
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Paul Tergat heads an illustrious list of entrants for the Lake Biwa Marathon on 1 March. The ex-world record holder (2:04:55 in Berlin, 2003) makes a rare appearance in a field which includes Jose Rios (ESP) whose personal best of 2:07:42 dates from the 2004 Lake Biwa event, and (apart from winner Mubarak Shami) many of the top finishers from last year, including Yared Asmeron (ERI, 2:08:34), Yuzo Onishi (2:08:54) and Tomoya Shimizu (2:09:23). | ||||
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The Egyptian Marathon
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Danny Hughes, the dynamic President of the
World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and a leading light in the
mountain running movement for the last 25 years, died from a heart
attack on 9 February 2009. He was a founding member of the International Committee of Mountain Running (ICMR) in 1984 and later became the organisation's first General Secretary. |
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| There will be a cremation at Whitehaven in the UK on Tuesday 17 February at 10.30 for family and close friends, followed by a service of Thanksgiving and Celebration in Gosforth Church at 12.00. | |||||
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The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
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In a bad moment for the world economy there is no downturn in solidarity
with the Saharawi people. Among the record entry for this year's Sahara Marathon on 23 February former World Champion Martin Fiz will participate, emulating his friend, two-time World Champion Abel Anton, who took part in the 2007 edition. This year the race hosts runners from Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Panama, Puerto Rico, Ireland, UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden... The 2009 schedule is slightly different in order to integrate the Dakhla camp within the Marathon programme. Overseas runners will travel to Dakhla on Tuesday morning, sleep there two nights and come back to Smara on Thursday morning. The children's race will take place in Dakhla, 3 hours by car from Smara. Many other projects have sprouted around the Marathon. This year a group of physically and mentally handicapped from Spain will take part in the marathon. |
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AIMS action on the first weekend in February comprised marathon and half
marathon events in Japan. The Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon
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28 January 2009: A new world best is a distinct possibility at
the third edition of the RAK Half Marathon on 20 February. The
world's top winter half marathon has a total of 13 men in the field who
have broken the still much respected one hour barrier. Just two years
ago, in the inaugural staging of the event, Kenya's now Olympic Marathon
Champion Samuel Wanjiru raced to a 58:53 clocking, then a world best and
still the second fastest time in history. This year the course has been
adjusted slightly to make it faster still and the prize money increased
yet further. After winning in 59:35 with a dip for the line in the 2008
event, 23 year-old Patrick Makau (KEN) is back to defend his title. He
is up against Deriba Merga (ETH) who won the Delhi Half Marathon in
59:15, equal fastest of 2008 and Wilson Kipsang (KEN), with 59:16 for
second in Delhi. The women's race features Kenya's 22-year old Philes Ongori, world's fastest in 2008 with 67:57. Nine other starters have bests of under 70 minutes, including Aselefech Mergia (ETH), who won the Delhi Half Marathon in 68:17. Kenya's evergreen Edith Masai, at 41 years old is the fastest in the field, her 67:16 best coming just two years ago in Berlin. |
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Yoko Shibui finally got back to her winning ways in the 28th
Osaka Ladies International Marathon
On the same day the 6th edition of the Khon Kaen International An ocean and a continent further west, bordering on the Pacific, the Cabo Half Marathon |
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20 January 2009: The inaugural Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur
Marathon, to be run on 28 June 2009, follows in the footsteps of
eight successful Standard Chartered Marathons spanning four continents,
the race offers the biggest prize money ever for a marathon in Malaysia
(RM 350,000) with a guaranteed prize pool for Malaysian runners. Minister of Youth and Sports YB Dato'Sri Ismail Sabri commented: "A world-class international race such as the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 fosters the spirit of excellence not just among professional athletes but among all Malaysians, from the youngest to the oldest." |
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Race promoters Octagon, who are specialists in sporting events
worldwide, aim to attract 12,500 participants and to make the Marathon a
sustainable one by "greening" it and through the charity element. The race will start from Merdeka Square and the route will showcase some of the capital's most famous landmarks, making it an ideal attraction for tourists and out-of-towners. Julian Wynter, CEO of title sponsors Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad said "we are very excited to add KL to the Standard Chartered series of marathons. In all eight countries where we sponsor Marathons, each has created a real buzz amongst the marathon-running community globally and we know that Standard Chartered KL Marathon will be no exception." |
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The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon
On 20 January the Corrida de Sao
Sebastiao 10km
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18 January: Baxter's Loch Ness Marathon celebrates Scotland's
Year of Homecoming with two special events added to this year's
Festival. Runners are invited to "Run Home to Scotland" in 2009 with the
Run Home Breakfast Run and the Run Home Clan Challenge:
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Haile Gebrselassie won the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
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The Osaka International Ladies' Marathon stages two eagerly awaited marathon debuts from accomplished half marathon runners. Yukiko Akaba is a new Japanese prospect who ran 1:08:11 for the half last year. Among the international field Peninah Arusei tackles her first full marathon after running 1:08:22 and 1:08:20 in the latter stages of 2008. Former multiple champion Lidia Simon is also among the foreign contingent, while Yoko Shibui heads the domestic contenders. | ||||
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John Kelai goes for a hat-trick of victories in the sixth edition of the
Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on 18 January. He will face a
stiff challenge from fellow Kenyan Japhet Kosgei , a 2:07 performer at
his best. Kosgei failed to finish the race in 2008 but returned to form
with a classy 2:09 in the autumn. French/Kenyan Simno Munyutu warmed up
for Mumbai by pacing the first 25km of the Xiamen Marathon at 2:08 pace.
Ukrainian Olexandr Kuzin should also figure, with a best time of 2:07.
The first 2:10 marathon to be run on Indian soil is a distinct
possibility. Margaret Okayo, former winner in London and New York makes Mumbai her comeback. After some difficult years she is approaching the form that she was in when she ran her 2:25 personal best. Irina Permitina of Russia and Leila Aman from Ethiopia both return from maternity leave. The diminutive 3-time winner Mulu Seboka is not defending, but her equally diminutive countrywoman Shitaye Gemechu (2-26) will likely lead the Ethiopian challenge. |
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In the 32nd Tiberias Marathon
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One year after the biggest payday of her athletics career, Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere returns to Dubai to defend her title in the 2009 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on 16 January. World record holder Haile Gebrselassie also returns to defend the title he won last year with the second (now third) fastest time ever run, 2:04:52 | ||||
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Last year 35-year old Adere took almost five minutes off the previous
record with her 2:22:42 timing. She also won the biggest first place
prize on the world marathon circuit, US$250,000. The injection of $1
million prize money by Dubai Holdings 18 months ago has rapidly elevated
the Gulf race to one of the most attractive on the circuit. Faing Adere will be fellow Ethiopians Bezenushe Bekele, who made one of the fastest marathon debuts in history when finishing second in Dubai last year in 2:23:09, and 2007 Dubai champion Askale Magarska who was third last year in 2:23:23. |
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Samuel Muturi set a new course record and a world leading time of
2:08:51 in the Xiamen International Marathon
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