Reigning twotime World Road Running champions Lornah Kiplagat (NED) and Zersenay Tadese (ERI), and Marilson&nbsp; Gomes dos Santos (BRA) the 2006 New York City Marathon winner were the athlete guests at today’s IAAF Press Conference ahead of tomorrow’s IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 12 Oct).
The conference which as per tradition officially opened the championships was hosted by IAAF President Lamine Diack, who along with the athletes was joined by General Secretary Pierre Weiss, and Roberto Gesta de Melo, CONSUDATLE, Brazilian Athletics Confederation and LOC President.
Lornah Kiplagat (NED)
Overlooking the change of the competitions name, you return as double defending champion, and with an individual silver medal also to your name, if you were to win here you would become the most decorated athlete (individual medals) in the 17 years of the global road running title. How special is this event in Rio and the World Half Marathon championships in general to you?
“The World Half Marathon Championships is very important to me. I like road racing and I started out as a road runner before I started doing track racing and cross country as well. It’s a real pleasure and an honour to do this event and nice to know that I have achieved so much. But I don’t expect records to last forever and I believe that they are there to be broken. I trained hard after the (Olympic) Games with my sole focus on this event it is always good to have the chance to fulfil your dreams. I want to enjoy the experience here.
You arrived in Rio on Monday. What are your impressions of Brazil? Have you enjoyed your visit so far? You have had plenty of time to acclimatise and prepare?
“Well when I left Kenya it was raining. I arrived in Amsterdam and it was raining and then when I landed in Rio it was raining hard so I was wondering what was going on in the world! But today I woke up and was very happy to see the sun and the beach. I have always wanted to visit Rio and have taken a few days after the event so that I can visit the city properly and relax on the beach. As for next year I am looking forward to running a good marathon.”
There are especially strong teams from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan and Russia which will make this a very competitive race. So does it create any extra pressure on you that that most people have already hung tomorrow’s gold medal around your neck?
“This is a World Championships so you don’t come here expecting no competition. Everyone trains hard and everyone thinks they can do well. I am ready for that and haven’t come to Rio just to see Copacobana beach.&nbsp; And I don’t really believe in pressure – I use the expectations as a support to help me achieve better results." "I took time off after Beijing because I had to travel back from China to Africa, where I normally train. Since then, I decided not to race in Europe and just stay at home to prepare properly.”
Your front running made this summer’s Beijing Olympic 10,000m final into the greatest women’s duel at that distance in history, both Tirunesh Dibaba and Elvan Abeylegesse under 30 min. African, European, North American and World Junior records were all broken. But your brave running left you finishing 8th. Do you have any regrets? Did you lose the chance of a medal by your tactics?
“Of course, it is always disappointing when you train hard and miss out on the gold or any other medal. But the fact is that I lost 4 weeks before the Olympics due to a virus so in the end, I was actually very satisfied with the result I achieved there. You also have to remember that I have only recently started racing on the track and I think Beijing was only my third big race at 10,000m after a career of 16 (or 18?) years.” 
“So I am at peace with what I did at the Olympics. During track races part of me believes more in the effort and determination you commit to your running than tactics, so I have no regrets at all about Beijing.”
I guess Beijing would have helped to hone your speed, something which is going to help you tomorrow? 
“I have found that training for the track helps me produce good performances on the road as well.”
 Zersenay Tadese (ERI)
We heard that Lornah has been here since Monday but you had a very difficult journey from Eritrea to Brazil, at one stage spending 16 hours waiting around in an airport when in transit. Do you think this will affect your race, are you in good shape?
“I am fine now. The trip was not easy because I was not able to collect my visa in Egypt as originally hoped and had to make a trip to Germany, but I have trained very well and I am rested so will do my best.”
The race in Udine last year was very close. You beat Patrick Makau by just three seconds. He returns this year. Who else will be your main rivals tomorrow? Or like Lornah do you just run your own race and tactics without worrying about your opponents?
“When you come to an event like this you expect to run against top athletes so I don’t pay too much attention to favourites. All the runners who take the line will be tough. I never underestimate any rival. I am in good shape and have come to try to win.”
Like Lornah, you also helped to create a great Olympics 10,000m final in Beijing. You pushed the pace hard in the seventh and eight kilometres, and the pace never dropped after that point. But you also ended up without a medal while in Athens four years before you were the Olympic bronze medallist. How great a disappointment was that for you, and does it make it even more important for you to win here in Rio to end your year on victory?
“At the Olympics even a fifth place is not easy to achieve, so I was not too disappointed. After the Games I went back into training and have been working very hard. I am always happy to run this event because I prefer road running to anything else.”
Is it true that you will try the full marathon for the first time next year?
“I am talking to my advisors about moving up to the marathon, either in 2009 or 2010 but nothing is decided yet.”
Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA)
In 2006 you won the New York Marathon and I guess that that race must be the highlight of your career so far BUT if you were to win a medal at the World championships in front of your home crowd that would top that. How much are you looking forward to running in Rio?
“I have run all over the world but there is something special about running in front of people who know you well and I always get great support when I run in Brazil. I know the Rio course very well and am sure that I will get tremendous support from the spectators as will the other members of the Brazilian team. The course is quite fast and of course, the scenery is beautiful.”
“On the other hand, I don’t think that you should overstate the importance of “home advantage” as I don’t think it matters that much. I have raced all over the world and you adapt to each environment. The important thing is to check the course and especially the gradient of the various stages, so that you know what to do at different times. You need to be well prepared.”
You were seventh in these championships last year in Udine, setting a national record of 59:33 but so far this year you have only run one half marathon in just under 63 minutes (62:57 1st&nbsp; Santo Andre 13 Apr), and you failed to finish the full marathon in Beijing. What physical shape are you in? Are you confident that you can run well tomorrow?
“Well I only had one goal this year which was to run well at the Olympics but that didn’t work out for me so I am now really looking forward to this opportunity. I am racing at home and will enjoy myself. It won’t be easy though so I have no illusions. The Beijing Olympics showed that athletics is a sport where you should expect surprises. You have to perform on the day.”
You are the Area record holder at 5000m (13:19.43) and 10,000m (27:28.12). How important is your good track speed in making you a good road runner at half marathon and the marathon? 
“My track speed compliments my road running and vice versa. If you improve in one area, then you find the benefits in the other too. I found that when I started running marathons my performances on the track improved as well, so I am very happy to combine the different surfaces.”
Being the local hero you are going to receive great support from the people of Rio. Do you expect a Carnival type atmosphere on Sunday?
“Yes for sure. Brazilians love sport and I expect there to be a lot of people along the side of the course cheering on the runners. The best in the world are here to compete and will get a lot of support.”
Question to all three
Do you consider yourself a track runner or a road runner, and which do you enjoy the most? 
Lornah – “Track training really helps me in the build up to my half marathon and marathon races. I enjoy doing both, but I actually prefer road running. Why? I think it is the freedom. I like to feel the difference in every kilometre that I run. It inspires me more than running on the track.”
Tadese – “I like running on all surfaces but prefer road running as well but also cross country. I like track running the least of all.”
Marilson – “I have records at all events from 5000m on the track to the marathon so in the end, I am a runner and am happy whatever I do.” 
 Nick Davies and Chris Turner for the IAAF

– Reigning two-time World Road Running champions Lornah Kiplagat (NED) and Zersenay Tadese (ERI), and Marilson&nbsp; Gomes dos Santos (BRA) the 2006 New York City Marathon winner were the athlete guests at today’s IAAF Press Conference ahead of tomorrow’s IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 12 Oct).

Kiplagat, Tadese and Dos Santos reflect on Beijing and look forward World Half Marathon, Rio 2008

READ ON for English and French language versions of this press release
- La traduction française suit le texte anglais&nbsp;
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Athletics deserves its status as one of the most accessible and universal sports, and a new initiative of the Brazilian Athletics Federation means that even the Jungle can play host to athletics.
On a visit to a village located near Iranduba and Manacapura, in the heart of the Amazon region of Brazil, Olympic athletes past and present, and local IAAF dignitaries enjoyed a special competition held between youngsters from 10 ethnic Indian tribes, in the magnificent setting of the tropical rainforest, sponsored by CAIXA and known as “Athletics in the Jungle”.
Having arrived upstream on the Rio Negro by boat, the IAAF delegation, headed by President Lamine Diack, was welcomed to the haunting sound of native type pan pipes by the chief of the Satere tribe who hosted the competition.
President Diack was impressed by the beautiful setting and said “I am so delighted to see how athletics can reach every corner of the world, even a place as special as Amazonia. I believe it is very important that this region is conserved for future generations. It is a great privilege to be here and witness how Kids' Athletics can reach even here.”
Brazil’s Olympic champion for Long Jump Maurren Maggi, and her Olympic colleague Fabiana Murer helped to inspire the youngsters who had come from all over the region to take part in the competition, which consisted of 50 metres sprints for boys and girls and a Long Jump, all carefully marked out with tapes on the ground of the village clearing. 
Maggi, who brought her three year-old daughter Sophia with her, said “This initiative of Athletics in the Jungle is fantastic and the first thing I did when I arrived is to sign up my daughter so she could take part and have fun with the other kids!”
IAAF Council Member and President of the South American Athletics Confederation Roberto Gesta de Melo said “One of the reasons that we pushed for this initiative was to show that champions can be born everywhere if they get the right opportunities.”
“These indigenous Indians may certainly have youngsters here who could be professional athletes in the future and we are proud to be able to give them a taste of this sport and to give them the chance to meet the great champions who are here with us today.”
“Not only do we have the IAAF President here with other colleagues from the Council but legendary athletes like Sergey Bubka, Sebastian Coe, Alberto Juantorena, Jefferson Perez and Nelson Prudencio. I am sure that the youngsters will leave with amazing memories of the competition and hopefully, be inspired by meeting these great names.”
Before the start of the competition, some Indians from the Satere-Mawe tribe gave a demonstration of the “Tucandeira ritual” for their guests. This ritual, which takes place every year in November is rite of passage for tribal boys. To demonstrate their courage and resistance to pain, the boys must put their hands in special gloves, which have been filled with a special of Amazonian ant that has a painful sting. Despite being stun repeatedly, the boys must dance and sing until the tribal elders decide that the rite of passage to manhood has been properly completed.
Nick Davies for the IAAF
 Les légendes soutiennent l’athlétisme dans la jungle Rio de Janeiro, Brésil – L’athlétisme mérite bien son statut de sport parmi les plus accessibles et les plus universels. Ainsi, une nouvelle initiative de la Fédération brésilienne d’athlétisme a démontré que même la jungle peut abriter des compétitions d’athlétisme. En visite dans un village situé près d’Iranduba et de Manacapura, au cœur de la région amazonienne du Brésil, d’anciens et d’actuels athlètes olympiques et des dirigeants locaux de l’IAAF ont apprécié une compétition d’un genre spécial. Parrainée par CAIXA et baptisée "L’athlétisme dans la jungle", elle s’adressait en effet à des jeunes issus de dix tribus ethniques d’Indiens, dans le cadre magnifique de la forêt tropicale. Le président Lamine Diack en tête, la délégation de l’IAAF qui a remonté le Rio Negro en bateau, a été accueillie à son arrivée par le chef de la tribu Satere, hôte de la compétition, au son lancinant des flûtes de pan indigènes. Le président Diack a été fort impressionné par le cadre enchanteur. "Je suis vraiment ravi de constater que l’athlétisme peut atteindre chaque point du globe, a-t-il déclaré, y compris un endroit aussi particulier que l’Amazonie. Je pense qu’il est très important pour les générations futures que cette région soit préservée. C’est un grand privilège d’être là et de voir que Kids' Athletics peut être efficace, même ici." La Brésilienne Maurren Maggi, championne olympique de la longueur, et sa collègue olympienne Fabiana Murer ont contribué à servir de modèle aux jeunes venus de toute la région pour participer à cette compétition. Garçons et filles ont ainsi disputé un 50m et un concours de saut en longueur, le tout soigneusement délimité par des bandes posées sur le sol de la clairière du village. "Cette initiative d’Athlétisme dans la jungle est fantastique, a souligné Maurren Maggi, venue avec Sophia, sa fille de trois ans. Dès que je suis arrivée, j’ai inscrit ma fille afin qu’elle puisse participer et s’amuser avec les autres enfants!" De son côté, Roberto Gesta de Melo, membre du Conseil de l’IAAF et président de la Confédération sud-américaine d’athlétisme, a justifié cette initiative. "L’une des raisons pour laquelle nous l’avons appuyée était de montrer que les champions pouvaient naître partout s’ils bénéficiaient des bonnes opportunités. "Ces Indiens indigènes possèdent certainement dans leurs rangs des jeunes susceptibles de devenir des athlètes professionnels dans le futur. Nous sommes fiers de pouvoir leur offrir un aperçu de ce sport et de leur donner l’occasion de rencontrer les grands champions qui nous accompagnent aujourd’hui. "Nous bénéficions non seulement de la présence du président de l’IAAF et d’autres collègues du Conseil, mais aussi de celle d’athlètes de légende tels que Sergey Bubka, Sebastian Coe, Alberto Juantorena, Jefferson Perez et Nelson Prudencio. Je suis certain que les jeunes repartiront de cette compétition avec des souvenirs exceptionnels et j’espère qu’ils seront inspirés par la rencontre de ces monstres sacrés."
En prélude à la compétition, quelques Indiens de la tribu Satere-Mawe ont effectué une démonstration du "rituel Tucandeira" pour leurs invités. Ce rituel qui a lieu chaque année en novembre est un rite de passage pour les garçons de la tribu. Afin de prouver leur courage et leur résistance à la douleur, les garçons doivent enfiler des gants spéciaux remplis d’un certain type de fourmis amazoniennes munies d’un redoutable aiguillon. Malgré les piqûres incessantes, les garçons doivent danser et chanter jusqu’à ce que les anciens de la tribu décident que le rite de passage vers l’âge d’homme a été correctement accompli. Nick Davies pour l’IAAF Légende photo — Athlétisme dans la jungle : coucher de soleil sur le fleuve Amazone (Bruno Miani)

azil - Athletics deserves its status as one of the most accessible and universal sports, and a new initiative of the Brazilian Athletics Federation means that even the Jungle can play host to athletics.

Legends support Athletics in the Jungle

Lornah Kiplagat was an early arrival in Rio de Janeiro determined to be fully acclimatised, rested and ready to defend the global road running crown at the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 12 Oct) having run&nbsp;an unforgettable performance in Udine last year.
Kiplagat after having roared to a World 20km record in 2006 was everyone's favourite to triumph again in the second staging of the World Road Running Championships which was held in the picturesque Italian venue.
However few - including the magnificently talented road runner herself - would have forecast the Kenyan born star would shatter Elana Meyer's eight-year-old World record by 19 seconds in 66:25.
With a little reflection it wasn't such a surprise given the outstanding performances of her Kenyan rivals Mary Keitany and Pamela Chepchumba, who until the last five kilometres had responded magnificently to Kiplagat&rsquo;s title assault in an epic duel.
Kiplagat's former colleagues - she has represented the Netherlands since 2003 following her marriage to coach Pieter Langerhorst - uninhibited response to her&nbsp;free flowing style, produced&nbsp;a perfect advertisement for the global road running championship.
Chepchumba in brilliant half marathon form this year and with a best time of 69:29, will again be in opposition on Sunday along with the equally talented two-times Berlin champion Peninah Arusei who has run even faster, 68:22.
Kiplagat despite being respectful of the entire field, nevertheless feels being essentially a road runner rather than a track and field beast, she will fulfil a hat-trick of successes this weekend. She made the Olympic 10,000m a classic
That said track fans will remember how it was her furiously fast early pace that eventually led to Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) and Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) producing the greatest women's duel in history in this year's Olympic 10,000 metres.
Kiplagat does not regret her tactics, telling the IAAF website in an exclusive interview: "Not at all! I was not strong enough to be top-three that day, due to the fact that I spent a week in the hospital back in May." &nbsp; "I wanted to see if I could break the field and if so, I would have had a chance for top three. If I would have waited in the field they would have out-sprinted me anyway, so I feel okay about that and at least we saw a great race!"
Kiplagat who feels Dutch supporters don't really understand the track is for her a supplementary discipline, added: "Expectations were too high, people expected me in the top three."
The 2007 World Cross Country champion, added: "But they base this on the three gold medals in cross and road events. However, I've never won anything on the track."
The 34-year-old insisted there was a positive advantage gained by competing in Beijing, said:&nbsp; "I have had a very good preparation and thanks to the Olympics, I did a lot of speed. I trained at my training centre in Iten (Kenya) all the time and haven't done any race since Beijing." &nbsp; "I have no problems beside the small knee problem so I feel confident," which kept her out of last month's London 5K road race." Like always, I have no idea who is running
Husband Langerhorst a great motivator in his coaching role, said: "We didn't want to take a risk as she wanted to concentrate on Rio. She missed only two days of training but running a 5km is intense and she was a bit afraid that the injury would be worse."
Kiplagat who arrived in Brazil on Monday (6 Oct), insisted of this weekend's meeting: "I'm really excited and especially because it is in Rio. It's a great place, great atmosphere so it will give me extra motivation." &nbsp; "Like always, I have no idea who is running. I have not seen any names and am not interested to see the list. I run my own race, no matter who is running. I have my own strategy and don't change this for anyone."
Remembering Udine
Kiplagat recapping on her World record showstopper in Udine where en route to the finish she also lowered her World 20km record, admitted: "It was a big surprise because I was badly injured in the months before and I was under trained. We planned to go as fast as possible and see how it was going." "I pulled a muscle early July in London and only after seeing Gerard Hartmann in Limerick, I was able to start easy training four week before Udine. I had only three week of good training and didn't had a lot of time to taper."
Kiplagat isn't making any forecasts of how quickly she will run this year, preferring to just to continue an exciting winning streak which has netted her top prize money and World record bonuses in the last two editions.
She also isn't really bothered whether switching the IAAF World Road Championships back to the half marathon distance is a good or bad idea.
"I really don't care if the distance is changing because I do pretty well from 5km up to 25km," she said. "But I think for the spectators and other people it is more clear to have one distance - just the half marathon. Tough battle and team contest
Kiplagat will hold centre stage again this year but despite her vast confidence she knows there are some tough rivals in the race offering excellent awards from the US$245,000 prize money, over one the most scenic areas of Rio de Janeiro.
Apart from Chepchumba and Arusei there will be others determined to clip her wings, but countries headed by Japan and Russia, will be more determined to concentrate on dethroning Kenya the team champions for the last two years. The team event is an integral ingredient of the Championships and will be an essential part of the action on the point-to-point&nbsp;course here in Rio.
Dave Martin &ndash; PA International - for the IAAF

Lornah Kiplagat was an early arrival in Rio de Janeiro determined to be fully acclimatised, rested and ready to defend the global road running crown at the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships (Sunday 12 Oct) having run&nbsp;an unforgettable performance in Udine last year.

Women's race preview - World Half Marathon Championships Rio 2008

Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea is the favourite to win the global road running title for the third consecutive year when the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro takes place on Sunday 12 October.
Among the 107 athletes who will oppose Tadese’s title defence this weekend, there is an exceptionally weighty Kenyan squad of talent which includes three men who have sub-60 PBs. Leading runners from other impressive delegations such as Ethiopia and Qatar will also have the individual gold medal in their sights as much as team glory. Yet do not overlook the host nation springing a surprise either.
Dos Santos' road success built on track speed&nbsp;
When, on 5 November 2006, the then 29-year-old Brazilian Marilson dos Santos crossed the finish in 2:09:58 to win that year’s ING New York City Marathon, his own countrymen not just the distance running world were stunned by what he had achieved.
Dos Santos was feted by this country of 170 million people.&nbsp;A week following his triumph in recognition of his&nbsp;feat he was awarded the Ordem do Merito Desportivo medal, a national decoration reserved for major accomplishments in sport. The world’s surprise at Dos Santos’ success was not shared by the athlete himself. He had a PB of 2:08:48 from finishing sixth in Chicago in 2004 (current PB, 2:08:37 8th London 2007), and having honed his speed with a successful season on the track with national records at 5000m (13:19.43 also Area Record) and 10,000m (27:48.49), was always confident that he would achieve a major race breakthrough. 
Dos Santos improved his track speed further in 2007 with a 27:28.12 Area record run at 10,000m on the same track in Neerpelt, Belgium, that he had run his national record the year before. Yet this form was not reflected in his title defence in New York where he finished 8th last autumn in 2:13:47. And more frustration followed this summer when another fast clocking in Neerpelt (27:35.05) was rewarded by a ‘did not finish’ at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Yet on home soil Dos Santos, who celebrated his 31st birthday on 6 August, has the possibility to turn around his fortunes with a serious World title challenge. Seventh in the World Road Running Championships last year in Udine, Italy with a PB of 59:33, this ‘Boy from Brazil’ has all the talent and motivation to upset the hopes of the more fancied east Africans. 
Considering Dos Santos has a season’s best at the half marathon of ‘only’ 62:57 (1st Santo Andre, Brazil, 13 April), its quite possible his title credentials have slipped under the radar of the Eritrean, Ethiopian and Kenyan team camps. If so, and Dos Santos’ form manages to match his talent and aspirations then the 16,000 runners in the mass race who will follow their countryman along the course on Sunday, will have more than their personal endeavours to celebrate, and Rio the celebrated city of ‘Carnaval’ will break into a party. Tadese possible marathon bid in 2009
Tadese, the defending champion, in all but name, considering that the World Road Running Championships of the last two years has reverted back to the title of the ‘World Half Marathon’, has not raced since finishing a disappointing fifth in the Beijing Olympics 10,000m on 17 August. 
The 26-year-old has focussed on Rio as his remaining peak for 2008, and none who remember his 58:59 win in Udine last year will doubt that the Eritrean can rescue a relatively below-par year with another World title. Tadese is keen to try out the full marathon distance for the first time next year and a second successful defence of this global crown, which he first won over 20km in 2006, will be a major stepping stone psychologically to that possible debut next spring.
Finishing just three seconds behind Tadese in Udine was Kenya’s Patrick Makau Musyoki. The 2007 silver medallist might not have the international recognition of the World champion but Makau thanks to his 58:56 victory in the Berlin Half Marathon last year is the third quickest runner of all-time (on courses that meet World record standards), one position ahead of Tadese.
With five major wins at the half marathon distance in 2008, including most recently a 59:29 victory in Rotterdam on 14 September, Makau could very well break Kenya’s individual gold medal drought in this competition. The last time one of their athletes occupied the top step of the podium was in 2004 (Paul Kirui).
Olympic marathon fourth placer Deriba Merga of Ethiopia also finished in that position in Udine last year. He was far adrift from Tadese with a PB finish of 59:16, but after posting a 2:06:38 PB in London at the full marathon this spring his credentials for a title challenge are beyond doubt. Strength in depth
Should the bids of Merga and / or Makau falter their countries can still count on several 60 minute runners, Ethiopia’s Abebe Dinkesa (60:03), Eshetu Wondimu (60:01) and Raji Assefa (60:07), and Kenya’s Stephen Kibiwott (59:44), Joseph Maregu (59:45) and Mekubo Mogusu (59:48).
The other men in the sub-hour category are Rwanda’s Dieudonné Disi who sped to a PB of 59:32 for sixth place in Udine last year, and Dickson Marwa Mkami of Tanzania, who was third in Ras Al Khaimah in February in 59:52 behind Makau’s 59:35 victory. 
And of course any of Tadese’s teammates should not to be overlooked in the individual fight as Eritrea strives to go one place better than its silver medal team finishes of the last three years. Finally, while Qatar’s Abdullah Ahmad Hassan has a PB of ‘only’ 61:46, his World Half Marathon bronze in 2004 means he’s also in the frame as challenger.
Chris Turner for the IAAF

- Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea is the favourite to win the global road running title for the third consecutive year when the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro takes place on Sunday 12 October.

MEN’s RACE PREVIEW - World Half Marathon, Rio 2008

The Provisional Entry List for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday 12 October is now available.
The Entry List as at&nbsp;10 October is downloadable in pdf format from ‘Related Content’ to the right-hand-side of this message.
NB. The START LIST will only become available after the completion of the Technical Meeting which begins at 16:30hrs local time (GMT minus 3hrs) on Saturday 11 October.
IAAF
&nbsp;

azil - The Provisional Entry List for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October is now available.

Provisional Entry List - World Half Marathon, Rio 2008

MonteCarloThe IAAF/CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October marks the first occasion that this IAAF World Athletics Series event has been held in South America.
This year will be the seventeenth occasion that many of the world’s best distance runners have gathered to contest the global title on the roads. There have been 14 editions of the World Half Marathon (1992 – 2005) and two outings for the World Road Running Championships (2006 – 2007).
These competitions have been highlighted by the victories of some of the greatest ever exponents of distance running, Paul Tergat (KEN), Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), Tegla Loroupe (KEN) and Paula Radcliffe (GBR) being just four of the names which resonate in that context.
In such illustrious company how will the title hopes in Rio this weekend of the current reigning World Road Running champions Zersenay Tadese (ERI) and Lornah Kiplagat (NED) stand in history?
Taking both the World road title competitions together, Tadese is one of only two men who have claimed a pair of individual titles, his coming over 20km in Debrecen (HUN) in 2006 and last year over the half marathon distance in Udine (ITA). The other man to take double gold, also consecutively, is Tergat (1999 and 2000), so if the Eritrean was to succeed once more in Brazil then he would make global history. In a national context Tadese has already achieved such acclaim as his victory two years ago marked the first occasion that an Eritrean had captured a World title in any major sport.
The history of the women’s races at these World championships has already witnessed two three-time winners. In the case of Loroupe (1997, 98, 99) her victories were consecutive, while Radcliffe took her first title in 2000, retained the crown the following year, and then returned in 2003 to take her third success. Loroupe was also a bronze medallist as long ago as 1993.
Should Kiplagat come home first next Sunday, with two World Road Running victories (2006 and 2007) and a silver medal behind Romania’s Constantina Tomescu Dita in 2005 already in the trophy cabinet, the Dutchwoman would marginally better Loroupe’s medal record.
However, when all medals in both individual and team categories are taken into account, Loroupe stands well clear with eight podium paces taken between 1993 and 2003. It is a figure matched by Romania’s Lidia Simon who garnered her medals between 1996 and 2002. Kiplagat who formerly also competed for her native Kenya can claim a mass of four medals so far, a team title with her former country being achieved in 1998.
Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Jifar leads the men’s standings with 7 podium places taken between 1999 and 2003. 
Chris Turner for the IAAF -----
Facts and Figures - IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships
All the statistics for this story and so many more useful facts can be found in IAAF Consultant Mark Butler’s latest edition of his Facts and Figures for this edition of the World Half Marathon Championships.
His 30 page publication can be downloaded in pdf format from ‘Related Content’ which is situated underneath the main photo at the top of this story. 
-----

-Carlo – The IAAF/CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October marks the first occasion that this IAAF World Athletics Series event has been held in South America.

Making history - the who, what and when of the World Half Marathon Championships

There will be a Japanese team of nine runners for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October.
The team was selected from the top finishers of JPN Corporate team Half Marathon Championships in March, Sendai International Half Marathon in May and Sapporo International Half Marathon in June. 
Three runners, who ran in the World Road Running Championships last year in Udine, will be running in the World Half Marathon Championships in Rio. They are Tetsuo Nishimura on the men’s side and Chisato Osaki and Yuko Machida on the women’s side. WOMEN - medal hopes again
Historically, the Japanese women’s team has performed much better than their male counterparts in the World Half Marathon and Road Running Championships. The women’s team won a team gold in 1992 and team have taken silver five times. They also finished third in the last three years. Originally, Mizuki Noguchi was selected to run in Rio, but because she has yet to recover from her injury which prevented her from running in the Olympic marathon, unfortunately she has been forced to withdraw from the team. 
The two top runners on the women’s team are Yukiko Akaba and Chisato Osaki. 
Akaba, who won the JPN Corporate team Half Marathon Championships with a personal best of 1:08:11, also ran the 10,000m in the Olympics, where she was 20th. Akaba won a silver medal at the Half Marathon in the 1999 World University Games, but she joined the truly elite ranks only recently after her daughter was born in August of 2006.&nbsp; A versatile runner, Akaba is the third fastest in Japan at both 5000m and the half marathon. She is also fourth fastest at 10,000m. 
Osaki, 21, is one of the most promising road runners in Japan.&nbsp; Last year, she won the Matsue Ladies Half Marathon in her debut half marathon with 1:09:25, and then finished seventh at the World Road Running Championships with a personal best of 1:08:56. This year, Osaki was second in the Sapporo Half Marathon with 1:09:16. MEN
On the men’s side, while Kazuo Ietani, who was third in the Sendai International Marathon, is maybe the best runner on the team, while Masato Kihara, 22, is perhaps the most promising young runner on the team. Ietani, who was eighth in the 2005 World Half Marathon Championships in Edmonton, has a Half Marathon best of 1:01.30, while Kihara has a best of 1:01:50, the Japanese collegiate record. Kenya's Japanese connections &nbsp; Incidentally, Mekubo Mogusu and Julia Mombi, who will represent Kenya at the World Half Marathon Championships, are based in Japan.&nbsp; Both runners have attended high school in Japan. Currently Mombi is coached by Yoshio Koide (former coach of Naoko Takahashi) and runs for his team, Aruze, while Mogusu runs for Yamanashi Gakuin University.&nbsp; After graduation in March of 2009, Mogusu will join the track team sponsored by Aidem.&nbsp; 
Ken Nakamura for the IAAF
Men 
Name/ qualifying performance Tetsuo Nishimura Third in JPN Corporate team Half Marathon Champs Yukihiro Kitaoka Fourth in JPN Corporate team Half Marathon Champs Yusei Nakao &nbsp;Second in Sendai Half Marathon Kazuo Ietani &nbsp;Third in Sendai Half Marathon Masato Kihara &nbsp;Fifth in Sapporo Half Marathon 
Women
Name/ qualifying performance Yukiko Akaba &nbsp;First in JPN Corporate team Half Marathon Champs Chisato Osaki &nbsp;Second in Sapporo Half Marathon Miki Ohira &nbsp;Fourth in Sapporo Half Marathon Yuko Machida&nbsp; Third in Sendai Half Marathon

- There will be a Japanese team of nine runners for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October.

Akaba and Osaki lead Japan’s hopes of continuing team medal tradition in Rio

MonteCarloA total prize purse of US$245,000 will be paid by the IAAF at the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October.
There are two competitions, a men’s race and a women’s race, to be contested, with the following awards applicable for the top six finishers in the individual and team standings of both:
(all amounts are in US$) 
Place / Prize
Individual 1st - 30,000 2nd - 15,000 3rd - 10,000 4th - 7000 5th - 5000 6th - 3000
Teams 1st - 15,000 2nd - 12,000 3rd - 9000 4th - 7500 5th - 6000 6th - 3000
 IAAF
NOTE: The payment of all individual and team prize money is dependant upon athletes undergoing and clearing the usual anti-doping procedures.

- A total prize purse of US$245,000 will be paid by the IAAF at the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October.

$245,000 Prize Money at stake in Rio - World Half Marathon

Despite Uganda’s best half marathon runner Wilson Busienei Kipkemei not making the trip, the small east African country has picked what it hopes will a strong squad of three athletes for the IAAF/Caixa World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12 October 2008.
Busienei was a member of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2004 edition of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships held in New Delhi, his 7th place individual&nbsp;place&nbsp;marking Uganda’s best ever finish at the event. The following year on the cold streets of Edmonton he could only manage a 14th position.
Uganda’s Rio ambitions will be led by the experienced Martin Toroitich Kityo, another of the bronze medal squad from the 2004 edition in New Delhi. The 25-year-old is in good form, as at last month’s World Mountain Running Trophy race in Sierre / Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Toroitich finished second, while in Palermo, Italy at the famous Giro di Castelbuono road race (11.3km) he finished third.
Uganda also fields two-time national road running champion Isaac Kiprop, who will be competing at the World Half Marathon Championships for the first time, and James Kibet, who participated at the 2005 edition in Edmonton, Canada, where he was a lowly 57th.
Daniel Senfuma for IAAF

nbsp;- Despite Uganda’s best half marathon runner Wilson Busienei Kipkemei not making the trip, the small east African country has picked&nbsp;what it hopes will a strong squad of&nbsp;three athletes for the IAAF/Caixa World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12 October 2008.

Uganda sends a squad of three for World Half Marathon in Brazil

Please noteBiographies for the athletes competing in the IAAF/CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October will be downloadable in pdf format from this section. The Biographies will become available on the morning of 12 October.

Biographies for the athletes competing in the IAAF/CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October will be downloadable in pdf format from this section. The Biographies will become available on the morning of 12 October.

Athlete Biographies - IAAF/CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships

MonteCarloKenyan teams have been the dominant force in global road running championships over recent years, and with two quality squads lined up for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October, can anyone prevent another brace of team titles being landed by the east African nation?
A total of 51 IAAF Member Federations have entered teams for next weekend's championships, and despite the Kenyans not having won an individual title at either the World Road Running Championships (2006 / 2007) or the World Half Marathon Championships (1992 – 2005) since 2004, their overall squad strength has usually prevailed over their opponents in the team context.
Despite Paul Kirui (2004) and Tegla Loroupe’s (1999) individual World titles being now but a distance memory in road racing history, Kenya as a team triumphed in both the men’s and women’s team categories in the two editions of the World Road Running Championships. Kenya squads have also taken eight men’s and four women’s team titles in the history of World Half Marathon.
Romania (2005 women), Ethiopia (2005 men, 2004 women), and Russia (2003 women) have been the three countries who most recently have upset Kenyan domination. The latter two nations will be in Rio with strong line-ups again and as usual there will be strong teams from Eritrea and Qatar, while Japan, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda, and hosts Brazil are just some of the other teams who will hope to be in the mix.
Scoring
A maximum of seven athletes can entered in each race, of whom no more than five will be allowed to start, with three to score.
Each race shall be scored separately. The team results will be decided by the aggregate of times recorded by the scoring athletes of each team. The team with the lowest aggregate of times will be judged the winner. If a team fails to finish with a complete scoring team, the runners finishing will be counted as individuals in the race result and be eligible for the individual awards. In the event of a tie, it will be resolved in favour of the team whose last scoring member finishes nearer to first place.
Chris Turner for the IAAF

- Kenyan teams have been the dominant force in global road running championships over recent years, and with two quality squads lined up for the IAAF / CAIXA World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 12 October, can anyone prevent another brace of team titles being landed by the east African nation?

Can any team prevent another Kenyan romp in Rio?

Competing in ideal running conditions, Gilbert Okari of Kenya broke away from the lead pack at mile nine and cruised to victory at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose yesterday (5).
On the women’s side, Yuri Kano of Japan took a sizeable lead after mile 11 on the way to her victory. Both winners were clearly the elite of their fields, distancing themselves from their competitors over the final third of the race.
MEN
Okari, 30, who made his San Jose debut running in only his second half marathon, finished in 1:01:46, ahead of Moroccan Ridouane Harroufi who finished second with 1:01:57.
A strong men’s field promised tough competition. American’s Josh Rohatinsky, 26, and Adam Goucher, 33, pushed the pace for the first three miles.&nbsp; The lead pack of eleven runners competed to the hit the 10k mark in stride at 29:16. 
Entering the final four miles to the finish, the men’s lead pack began to thin out as the pace picked up dramatically and Okari began to pull away, gradually dropping American Rohatinsky. 
“We expected the pack to go out 4:40, and when it didn’t, Adam and I pushed the lead,” said Rohatinsky, who finished sixth overall as the top American. “It’s somewhat disappointing as I feel than I’m in shape to run a 62:00. However, the course was great - really flat with lots of shade. I look forward to returning next year.”
A relative newcomer to long distance running, Okari was a late addition to the elite athlete field.
“I’m very happy to be back running and win my first half marathon,” said Okari, who has been injured for most of the past two years. “I changed my pace after the 10k mark and had plenty of energy the last few miles.”
“In the future I want to concentrate on long distances and run more half marathons,” added Okari, who will run another half marathon next Sunday in Boston and says he will hopes to transition to running only the full marathon distance in the next year.
WOMEN
In the women’s race, a lead pack of three ran together throughout, taking turns with the lead. Kano took the win in 1:10:03. Azalech Masresha of Ethiopia finished second with a time of 1:10:36. Kenyan Ann Kosgei took third in 1:11:53. 
Sally Meyerhoff, USA, finished forth and was the first American women to finish in 1:12:52.&nbsp; “I’m very happy with my performance. I just ran an 8k in Ohio, and my fitness is coming along really well,” said Meyerhoff. “I feel really good and tried to run a smart race today.” 
The San Jose half marathon course started in downtown San Jose, ran through Japantown and the beautiful Rose Garden neighbourhood, and finished at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. 
Dan Cruz for the IAAF
Results
MEN
1. Gilbert Okari, 30, Kenya, 1:01:46 2. Ridouane Harroufi, 27, Morocco, 1:01:57 3. Moses Kigen, 25, Kenya, 1:01:58 4. McDonald Ondara, 24, Kenya, 1:02:01 5. Charles Munyeki, 22, Kenya, 1:02:15
WOMEN
1. Yuri Kano, 29, Japan, 1:10:03 2. Azalech Masresha, 20, Ethiopia, 1:10:36 3. Ann Kosgei, 28, Kenya, 1:11:53 4. Sally Meyerhoff, 24, USA, 1:12:52 5. Jane Gakunyi, 29, Kenya, 1:12:57

- Competing in ideal running conditions, Gilbert Okari of Kenya broke away from the lead pack at mile nine and cruised to victory at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose yesterday (5).

WORLD ATHLETICS HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tadese – confident in victory and his sporting plans at least – Rio 2008

“Never say never” – Kiplagat, Rio 2008

Emphatic third triumph; Tadese goes solo from 5km - Men's Race Report, Rio 2008

Kiplagat saunters to another staggering victory - Women's Race Report, Rio 2008

President Diack's comments - IAAF Press Conference, Rio 2008