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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Johnson Defends Freihofer’s Run for Women 5-K Title

Posted June 3rd, 2007 at 8:45 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Pulling away from course record holder Asmae Leghzaoui with 800m to go, Benita Johnson defended her title at the 29th Freihofer’s Run for Women 5-K here today. Breaking the finish tape in 15 minutes and 22 seconds, she earned $10,000 for her victory.

Johnson, 28, the 2004 IAAF World Cross Country 8-K champion, carefully metered her effort today, hanging back a bit in the first kilometer (which is uphill) after Kenya’s Rose Kosgei went right to the front with Leghzaoui. Johnson would have none of it.
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Johnson headlines Freihofer’s “Run for Women” Saturday

Posted May 31st, 2007 at 12:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Defending champion Benita Johnson headlines Saturday’s Freihofer’s Run for Women 5-K in Albany, N.Y., her first racing appearance since the Flora London Marathon last April.

“I had a fantastic race last year in Albany and can’t wait to come back again,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “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.”

For Johnson Freihofer’s was her first-ever road racing victory in the United States. She not only had to overcome a strong international field, but literally splashed her way to the finish line in a torrential downpour.
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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.
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