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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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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Johnson to defend title at Freihofer’s Run for Women

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

Section: News & Results

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!”
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