Posted: October 23, 2004

Athletics: Kipkoech And Cherono Headline Venice Marathon

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

by Bob Ramsak

NOTE: RRW Assistant Editor Bob Ramsak recently relocated from Ljubljana to new seaside digs in his native Slovenia. This weekend he's enjoying the hospitality of the Venice Marathon organizers, complete with a VIP boat ride which allows viewing of the last parts of the race. Bob, don't fall overboard --Ed.

VENICE, Italy -- Kenyans Raymond Kipkoech and Helen Cherono highlight their respective fields at Sunday's 19th Venice Marathon.

The 29-year-old Kipkoech, whose 2:06:46 win in the real Berlin two years ago still ties him as the 19th fastest marathoner ever, will contest his third marathon of the year, following a pair of runner-up finishes --Vienna City Marathon (2:10:45) and Paris International (2:10:08)-- in a six-week period last spring. Slated to compete in Berlin last month, he was a late-hour scratch.

Kenyan David Makori, the 2002 winner with a course record 2:08:49, returns for his second marathon of the year. In May, Makori was a distant tenth in the Prague marathon in 2:14:04. Last fall, he was seventh in the ING New York City Marathon.

Venice will be the fourth marathon of 2004 for Ethiopian Habtamu Bekele. Fifth in Prague, fourth (2:12:04) in Rome and the winner of January's Tiberias International Marathon, the 26-year-old has a personal best 2:10:42 from Rome last year.

Italians have won here seven times, and leading the local charge this year is Danilo Goffi, who won here in his debut in 1995. A veteran national team member --he was fourth and fifth respectively at the 1997 and 1999 World championships and part of the Italian marathon podium sweep at the 1998 European championships-- Goffi was fifth at this April's Maratona di Sant' Antonio in nearby Padova, clocking 2:11:07. His 2:08:33 personal best dates back to 1998.

23-year-old Enock Mitei, a consistently strong performer on the roads, makes his marathon debut. The Kenyan ran a fast 1:00:32 at April's Stramilano Agonistica Half Marathon, where he was fourth.

Running in just her second marathon, the 20-year-old Cherono tops the women's field. The young Kenyan, who debuted in Padova earlier this year with a runner-up 2:34:22, arrives in Venice on the heels of her 1:10:07 win on the fast Udine Half-Marathon course four weeks ago.

Giovanna Volpato, who ran a personal best 2:33:23 at last year's World championships, where she finished seventh, will be the local favorite. From nearby Padova, the 29-year-old Volpato aims to become the first Italian winner here since 1999. Of significant interest to Italian marathon fans will be the debut of two-time Olympian Sylvia Sommaggio. Four weeks ago, the track, cross country and road race veteran prepped with a 1:14:44 sixth place showing in Udine. Francesca Zanusso, third here in 2001, will contest her 21st marathon on Sunday.

A flat scenic route that begins just east of Padova, the course's final five kilometers are run on the cobblestone streets of historic Venice, crossing 13 of the city's legendary bridges before ending at the Riva dei Sette Martiri.

More than 60,000 euros in prize money will be awarded in the elite divisions. Time bonuses are also on offer, as well as an 8000 euro course record bonus for men (2:08:49) and 5000 (2:28:16) for women.

Showers this morning throughout the northeast Adriatic disappeared by mid-afternoon, and aren't expected to return over the weekend. Race day forecasts call for partly sunny skies, with race time temperatures expected in the low 60s (F).