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Lead Stories: Monday, October 13, 2008

Hladyr & Wanjiru Withdraw from ING NYC Marathon

Posted October 4th, 2007 at 6:55 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Samuel Wanjiru world record half-marathon Two key athletes who had been contracted to run the 2007 ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 4, have withdrawn from the race, according to the New York Road Runners, the race founders and organizers.

Tetyana Hladyr of Ukraine, the surprise second place finisher in last year’s women’s race, has been forced to quit the field due to a foot injury which will require surgery, according to her agent Andrey Baranov. Her husband, Aleksandr Kuzin, still remains in the field, however. He set a personal best of 2:07:33 in a solo run in Linz last April.

Also out of the race is the world record holder in the half-marathon, Samuel Wanjiru. Wanjiru, who runs for a Japanese corporate team, decided to postpone his debut because of unspecified difficulties with his preparations, according to his agent, Federico Rosa.
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Two Elites Drop Out of New York City Marathon

Posted October 4th, 2007 at 10:41 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Previously announced entrants Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya and Tatiana Hladyr of the Ukraine will not compete in the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Wanjiru, the half-marathon world record-holder, had planned to make his marathon debut in New York; however, he told race organizers he was withdrawing due to problems with his preparation. Hladyr, the runner-up in last year’s race, has a foot injury that will require surgery, according to her manager, Andrey Baranov. The surgery is planned for October 11.

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On the Road & Around the Track: TFS News Briefs September 18, 2007

Posted September 18th, 2007 at 3:32 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, TFS News Briefs

New York City Marathon: Women’s Competition Intensifies
As if a New York City Marathon field that included returning top three Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, Tatiana Hladyr of Ukraine and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya wasn’t enough, now Gete Wami of Ethiopia, Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, and Tegla Loroupe of Kenya have announced that they will be competing on November 4th. They will be competing for a prize of $130,000 plus a Toyota Prius. Read more at: [IAAF] [ING NYC Marathon]

Steve Cram Calls IAAF World Athletics Final “Pointless and Bemusing”
In a Guardian Unlimited article critical of the IAAF’s current race structure, British miling legend Steve Cram is calling for a makeover of not only the World Athletics Final, but also the Golden League and even the World Championships. Read more at: [Guardian Unlimited]

World Athletics Final Previews: Throws and Jumps
Previews of the Jumps and the Throws at the World Athletics Final this weekend in Stuttgart, Germany are available on the IAAF World Athletics Final website. Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell, Stefan Holm, Blanka Vlasic and Yelena Isinbayeva are some of the key field-event athletes going into the meet. Read more at: [IAAF WAF07]
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Deena Kastor ready for rematch with Prokopcuka and Jeptoo at Boston Marathon

Posted March 29th, 2007 at 2:10 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Jelena Prokopcuka Deena Kastor NYC Marathon 2006 Finishing sixth at last November’s ING New York City Marathon was a bitter disappointment for Deena Kastor, the USA record holder for the distance.

She had prepared thoroughly for the storied race, but made a fatal tactical error when she did not respond to a mid-race breakaway by Ukrainian Tatiana Hladyr and Latvian Jelena Prokopcuka.

Kastor finished sixth in 2:27:54, more than eight minutes slower than her American record at London last April, while Prokopcuka went on to defend her New York crown and took the lead in the World Marathon Majors points chase.

But on Monday, April 16, at the 111th Boston Marathon, Kastor will get another crack at the Latvian, a gritty competitor who has won three of her last four marathons and finished second at Boston last year. Speaking via teleconference yesterday from the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., Kastor said she is ready for the rematch.
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Kastor, Prokopcuka top the 2006 marathoner rankings

Posted December 28th, 2006 at 2:00 PM by Jamal Walker

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Race Results Weekly (RRW), the wire service of distance running, announced today that American Deena Kastor was the top-ranked female marathon runner of 2006.

Kastor, 33, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., won the the Flora London Marathon last April in 2:19:36 amongst a very talented field of runners. This was the eighth-fastest performance of all-time and a North American record. Although she finished sixth at the ING NYC Marathon a few months ago, RRW still gave her the top ranking over Latvia’s Jelena Prokopcuka (this year’s runner-up).

Prokupcuka also had a superb year and arguably could have been ranked ahead of Kastor; finishing second at Boston and winning her second-consecutive ING NYC Marathon. Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere (winner of this year’s LaSalle Bak Chicago Marathon) finished third. Two Kenyans closed out the top 5: Rita Jeptoo (2006 Boston champion) and Catherine Ndereba (won at Osaka and finished third at NYC).

Below are the complete rankings and honorable mention selections:
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Live @ the NYC Marathon: Defending Champion Jelena Prokopcuka wins again!

Posted November 5th, 2006 at 11:57 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Jelena Prokopcuka, of Latvia, wins again in dominate fashion!!! Her official time is 2:25:06. Prokopcuka’s second consecutive ING New York City Marathon championship is a tremendous step in her career. Expect her to be the favorite from now on in major marathons.

Tatiana Hladyr finished second in 2:26:05 and Catherine “the Great” Ndereba came in third with a time of 2:26:58.

Kastor finished far behind in sixth place (2:27:54). She battled all day and just did not have her best when it counted.

Top women’s finishers:

Jelena Prokopcuka (Latvia) 2:25:05
Tatyana Hladyr (Ukraine) 2:26:05
Catherine Ndereba (Kenya) 2:26:58
Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) 2:26:59
Lidiya Grigoryeva (Russia) 2:27:21
Deena Kastor (U.S.) 2:27:54
Nina Rillstone (New Zealand) 2:31:19
Lornah Kiplagat (The Netherlands) 2:32:31

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Live @ the NYC Marathon: Prokopcuka leads after 22 miles, begins to break from Hladyr

Posted November 5th, 2006 at 11:37 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Jelena Prokopcuka has broken away from Tatiana Hladyr and is increasing her lead as they pass the 22nd mile marker. There is still a lot of race left, but Prokopcuka looks great and only a strong push from Hladyr will get her back in front.

Check back often for more updates as The Final Sprint covers the ING New York City Marathon LIVE in NY! Read the rest of this entry »

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Live @ the NYC Marathon: After 15 miles Hladyr, Prokopcuka open commanding lead in women’s race

Posted November 5th, 2006 at 11:03 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Surprising Tatiana Hladyr of the Ukraine is currently running neck-and neck with defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia. The two have opened up a substantial 1:00 lead over the rest of the field.

The pack that trails Hladyr and Prokopcuka includes all of the rest of the favorties and a few surprises. This includes: Deena Kastor, Lornah Kiplagat, Lidiya Grigoryeva, Rita Jeptoo, Catherine Ndereba, Susan Chepkemei and Silvia Skvortsova.

Check back often for more updates as The Final Sprint covers the ING New York City Marathon LIVE in NY! Read the rest of this entry »

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