21.04.2008

Kenya versus Ethiopia on Great Ocean Road

Kenyan rivals David Mutua and James Mugo Kariuki will have to fight off an Ethiopian onslaught to retain their supremacy in the Green U Great Ocean Road Marathon next month.

The Kenyans staged a thrilling dual in last year’s 45km trek from Lorne to Apollo Bay, with Mutua powering away from his courageous countryman over the final three kilometres to win by 1 minute 54 seconds.

Kariuki, the 2006 titleholder, improved his time by nearly eight minutes and was striving for a $2000 winning bonus to help fund an orphanage for displaced children at his home in the village of Nyahururu, about 200km north of Nairobi.

The popular Kariuki has upgraded his training program in a bid to win the marathon for a second time, but will have more than Mutua to contend with when the Africans line-up at the Lorne Hotel at 8a.m. on Sunday, May 18.

Ethiopia will be represented in the marathon for the first time, with three top-line performers – Habtamu Bekele Negassa, Mersha Mekonnen Anega and Tesfaye Wordofa Jeru – among the winning chances.

Negassa has a best marathon time of 2 hours 10 minutes 42 seconds, set in Rome in 2003.

Anega and Jeru have recorded some of their best times in tough conditions and will be suited to the Great Ocean Road’s undulating terrain.

Marathon director John Craven said it was pleasing that interest in the Great Ocean Road Marathon from African athletes was so strong.

“This event will be an enthralling contest,” Craven said.

“The battle between Mutua and Kariuki last year was tremendous.  The Ethiopian presence should make it even more exciting.”

The fourth Green U Great Ocean Road Marathon and Festival of Distance Running will be held on the weekend of May 17 – 18.

Four events for runners and walkers of all abilities will be held over the two days.

The festival will kick off at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, with the SCODY 6.5km Apollo Bay to Marriner’s Lookout and back.

Marathon great Steve Moneghetti will line up in the Geelong Advertiser 14km Apollo Bay-Paradise run at 2 p.m. on the Saturday.

The Paradise event will also feature the TAC Wheelchair Athletes’ Challenge, a new innovation for participants with disabilities.

The winner of the wheelchair challenge will receive a fully-funded trip to the Honolulu Marathon in December.

Moneghetti set a course record of 41:51.2 for this event in 2006. Moneghetti and Geelong’s Mark Tucker will also contest the Fagg’s Mitre 10 23km Half Marathon, from Kennett River to Apollo bay on Sunday, May 18.

Geelong’s Lee Troop, headed to Beijing for his third Olympic Games, will take part in the Green U 45km marathon as a training exercise.

Entries for all four events close on May 5.

Further information may be obtained on the marathon website.

Picture courtesy Shane Goss licoricegallery.com