Kiplagat not invited to Friehofer’s Run for Women after protesting event’s lack of drug testing
Posted May 31st, 2007 at 8:15 AM by Courtney Albon
Section: News & Results, Drugs In Sports
Saturday’s Friehofer’s Run for Women in Albany, NY will once again feature accomplished professionals, such as defending champion Benita Johnson, 2006 runner-up Natalya Berkut, and the controversial winner from 2005, Asmae Leghzaoui.
However, there is a noticeable hole in the lineup as Lornah Kiplagat, last year’s third place finisher, will not be competing.
Kiplagat was not contacted by officials of the race to run this year. Kiplagat has participated in two protests against the race’s policy that does not require runner’s to be tested for performance enhancing drugs and asserts that officials did not follow through with their promise to begin enforcing such screenings.
Several runners joined Kiplagat to protest the 2005 race because Asmae Leghzaoui, the eventually winner, was allowed to compete despite receiving a two year suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
These issues aside, officials, including event director George Regan, are enthused about the field for this year’s race. Regan said that this year’s field is the best the race has seen thus far.
The Friehofer’s Run for Women, Scheduled for this Saturday, June 2nd, is in it’s 28th year and has become the largest, exclusively female race in the U.S. The race’s namesake, Friehofer’s Bakery, is dedicated to promoting health and recognizing the role of women in athletics.
For more information on Saturday’s race, please visit: www.freihofersrun.com
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Tags: Albany, asmae leghzaoui, benita johnson, doping, drug testing, Friehofer’s Bakery, Friehofers Run for Women, george regan, Lornah Kiplagat, Natalya Berkut, new york, performance enhancing drugs
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