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Troop and Thompson head Australian teams for Chiba's Ekiden Relay
Australia will be sending two extremely strong teams to the The Ekiden Relay in Chiba, Japan next month.
Dual Olympian and current Australian marathon champion Lee Troop continues his renaissance to lead the men’s team, whilst Australian cross country champion Anna Thompson returns after her top twenty finish in the World Road Running Championships earlier this month to head the women’s team.
To be held on Thursday 23 November 2006, some of Australia’s best up-and-coming and established distance runners will be competing in the men’s and women’s team relay events.
Steeped in Japanese tradition since 1917, the Ekiden road relay race is conducted over the traditional marathon distance.
Each team comprises of six athletes plus a reserve, with road legs comprising of 5km, 10km, 5km, 10km, 5km, 7.428km and the reserve competing over 5000m on the track.
Australia has had a favourable history in the event with the men picking up three wins in 1991, 1992 and 1995 and two second places in 1988 and 1998. The women have finished in third position twice in 1988 and 1993.
Approximately 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s events will be participating, each team endeavouring to take home the first place prize of US$17,500. Over US$45,000 in prize money will be up for grabs, with the top eight teams vying for a piece of the pie.
2006 Australian Team – Chiba Ekiden
MEN
Lee Troop (V)
Martin Dent (A)
Michael Shelley (Q)
Collis Birmingham (V)
Liam Adams (V)
Brett Cartwright (A)
Travelling Reserve: Clint Perrett (V)
WOMEN
Anna Thompson (V)
Donna MacFarlane (T)
Lisa-Jane Weightman (V)
Emma Rilen (N)
Lauren Shelley (W)
Lisa Corrigan (A)
Travelling Reserve: Clare Geraghty (Q)
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