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Johnson to defend title at Freihofer’s Run for Women

Posted April 25th, 2007 at 8:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Johnson_Benita_Freihofers_2006 Benita Johnson, the Australian Olympian who holds the Oceana records for 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon, will return to defend her title at the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5-K, organizers announced yesterday. The race is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, in Albany, N.Y.

Johnson, who turns 28 next month, scored a narrow victory last year over Ukranian Natalya Berkut in torrential rain. Splashing to the finish line, she broke the tape in 15:26.9, her first victory in the United States.

“I had a fantastic race last year in Albany and can’t wait to come back again,” said Johnson through a media release. “The mix of top international competitors and great atmosphere created by the people of Albany along the course helped bring out my very best performance. The rain certainly didn’t dampen my spirit during the event!”

Johnson ran last Sunday’s Flora London Marathon, finishing a disappointing seventh in 2:29:47. She struggled with a very fast early pace and warm, sunny weather.

“I think the pace just got to me,” she told RRW after the race.

Nonetheless, Freihofer’s event director George Regan is pleased to have Johnson back on his starting line in downtown Albany. “We’re thrilled to have Benita headline our field this year,” said Regan in a prepared statement. “She’s a world-class competitor and one of the southern hemisphere’s most consistent long distance runners. We’ll be building our elite field around her in the coming weeks.”

This will be the 29th running for the Freihofer’s, one of the most prestigious all-women’s road races in the United States. The winner will receive $10,000.

PHOTO: Benita Johnson winning the 2006 Freihofer’s Run for Women (photo courtesy of FRFW)