06.10.2006

Australia's ultra runners to tackle the world's best - IAU 100km World Cup Preview

The ultra running fraternity will turn their attention to Misari, Korea this Sunday, where those who run �beyond the marathon� will tackle the IAU 100km World Cup.

The event will take place over ten fast, flat and furious laps around the Motor Boat Race Stadium 10 kilometre course.

Australian representatives will be focusing on the team�s competition, with the times of the fastest three team members from each nation contributing to the final result.

In the men�s event, Australia will be represented by Mike Wheatley (Captain), Jonathan Blake, Darren Benson and Simon Phillips.

Wheatley has contested three previous 100km world challenges and rarely runs a poor race. Phillips represented Australia earlier this year in the 24-hour world cup and is a very accomplished ultra runner and rogainer. Blake was the fastest Australian last year over this distance with 7:08 while Benson, the youngest member of the team, will be making his debut.

"The Australian men�s team is the best we�ve had since 1994 but the competition this year will be fierce," said Ian Cornelius, president of the Australian Ultra Runners.

"Italy, Spain, France and Russia each boast several sub seven-hour runners. I predict that we will need to run an aggregate time of less than 21 hours to make the podium."

Coming into the race, the fastest man on paper is Italy�s Mario Ardemagni, who comes to Misari with a 2004 personal best of 6:18:24 for the 100km race, whereas the man with the best form so far this year is Spain�s Jose Maria Gonzalez, who heads the IAAF 100km standings with his 6:23:44 winning time at the European 100km Championships race, in Torhout, Belgium.

For the first time in ten years Australia will be sending a women�s team, comprising of Sandra Timmer-Arends, Viviene Kartsounis and Julie Hooper-Childs.

Timmer-Arends has represented Australia at the 100km World Championships on several occasions, with a personal best time of 8:19. Hooper-Childs and Kartsounis will be making their international debut.

Whilst the women�s team is still in a development phase, they have every chance of performing well with Japan, France and Italy being the major threats.

The strong Japanese presence will be led by Niroko Sho, the defending champion who boasts a 2006 personal best time of 7:40:30 and her compatriot Emi Iwasaki (7:54:33). They will be lining up against the European and German champion Birgit Schonherr-Holscher, (7:48:33) and Italy�s Monica Carlin (7:51:44) who are also likely to be among the top finishers.

Previewed by Ian Cornelius