21.08.2007

Letherby firms for Berlin

Australian marathon hope Andrew Letherby’s Berlin preparations have firmed with promising results in recent weeks.

The 33 year-old is poised for a return to the race which saw him capture his personal best of 2:11:42 in 2005.

The Berlin Marathon will take place on September 30 but before then Letherby will compete in the Great Scottish Run (10km) on September 2.

Performing over increments, on Sunday he finished a narrow third in the Amatrice-Configno in Italy - an 8.5km uphill race which boasted a strong field including Kenyans Paul Kosgei (first), Kiprot Limo (second), William Chebor (fourth) and Kipsiele Rotich (eighth).

Letherby posted a time of 24:31, separated by the smallest of margins from Limo who finished in 24:30.

The Australian’s recent efforts have also included victory in the West End 3km in Boulder, Colorado in late July (8:28.9), where he resides.

Letherby’s last world marathon major was in New York in November, finishing 19th in 2:19:53.