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Lead Stories: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Dita Looking to Charge Ahead in Chicago

Posted October 11th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

At yesterday’s kick-off press conference for the 31st Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Olympic Marathon champion Constantina Dita was introduced to the assembled media by 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist Deena Kastor. When Dita rose to speak at the podium, reporters also rose to give her a standing ovation, something rarely seen at this kind of gathering.

Dita, her blue eyes beaming and just a little misty, looked at race director Carey Pinkowski seated next to her.

“He’s a great person,” she said of Pinkowski who looks noticeably trimmer than last year. “I think he’s training more because he’s more skinny.”
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Former Olympic Marathon Champion Stefano Baldini to Retire

Posted August 26th, 2008 at 1:25 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

According to a report published by SPIKES Magazine, 2004 Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini has decided to end his decorated career as a word class distance runner.

“He’s retiring from international athletics, that’s certain,” a spokesperson for Baldini told the European-based magazine. “The marathon in Beijing was his last appearance for Italy. However, he’s definitely not stopping running. He’ll still do some races here and there, such as some events in Italy with less stress attached.”

Despite being plagued by an upper thigh injury for much of the year, Baldini was able to finish a respectable 12th at last weekend’s fast-paced Olympic marathon in Beijing.

The humble and widely respected Baldini is a national hero and leaves behind a pristine legacy of success and sportsmanship. In addition to edging out American Meb Keflezighi for the gold medal in Athens, Baldini also set the Italian marathon record (2:07:22), won the 2006 World Half-Marathon title and earned bronze medals in the marathon at the 2003 and 2001 IAAF World Championships.

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Injury Forces Noguchi Out of Olympic Marathon

Posted August 12th, 2008 at 11:55 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

Defending Olympic Marathon champion, Mizuki Noguchi of Japan, has withdrawn from the Beijing Olympics due to injury. The announcement was made by Japan’s Olympic committee here yesterday.

After returning to Japan from her high altitude training in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in advance of the Games, Noguchi complained of both fatigue and pain in her left upper leg. She received injections to treat the problem locally, but it was apparently not enough to allow her to be ready for Sunday morning’s race.
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Noguchi Wins Tokyo International Ladies Marathon

Posted November 18th, 2007 at 10:17 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Reigning Olympic Marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi won today’s 29th edition of the Tokyo International Ladies Marathon and, almost with certainty, has secured a position on the Japanese team for the Beijing Olympics next August.

Noguchi, 29, dominated the race to win in a new course record of 2:21:37. Her chief rival, Yoko Shibui, stayed within striking distance through 30 km, but faded badly in the final stages of the race to finish seventh in 2:34:19.

Kenyan Salina Kosgei, who ran Tokyo because her USA visa did not come through in time to compete at the ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 4, gave the Olympic champion her biggest challenge, staying with Noguchi through 35 km (1:57:28). But Noguchi ran 16:56 from 35-K to 40-K to Kosgei’s 18:02. Kosgei finished second in 2:23:31, just slightly shy of her personal best time.
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Olympic Champion
Frank Shorter To
Speak In Manchester

Posted October 19th, 2007 at 4:24 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results

The Manchester Road Race Committee will sponsor a speech by Olympic Marathon Champion Frank Shorter on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 7 p.m. at Manchester Community College’s SBM Auditorium.

Shorter, an All-American long distance runner at Yale University, won the marathon at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Four years later, he captured the silver medal in the marathon at the Montreal Olympics.

Shorter, who is widely credited with helping to spark the “running explosion” that has occurred in the United States during the past three decades, is the honorary chairperson of the 71st Manchester Road Race. He is also expected to compete in the annual Thanksgiving Day event.
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Stefano Baldini Enters NYC Marathon; Set to Compete Against World’s Best

Posted October 11th, 2007 at 5:27 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Stefano Baldini of Italy will add a touch of gold to an already sparkling men’s professional field at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Milan, where Baldini appeared with the chairman of the New York Road Runners board of directors, George Hirsch.

“New York boasts a glittering honor roll of Italian champions, including Orlando Pizzolato, Gianni Poli, and Giacomo Leone, and we know Stefano doesn’t want his golden career to end without his name being added to that list,” Wittenberg said. “With him ride the hopes of a marathon-mad nation.”

Baldini will face off against a handful of former New York champions, including previously announced Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil (2006), Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa (2004), and Kenyans Martin Lel (2003) and Rodgers Rop (2002).
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