Posted: November 27, 2004

Athletics: Sihine Headlines Great Ethiopian Run

From David Monti

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

By Elshadai Negash

ADDIS ABABA (27-Nov) -- Ethiopia's Olympic 10,000m silver medalist, Sileshi Sihine, is the outstanding favorite in the men's race as the 2004 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run takes place for the fourth time in Addis Ababa tomorrow.

Sihine, who has been impressive since finishing second to Kenenisa Bekele in the 10,000m final in Athens, will lead a record participation of some 20,000 runners as the Great Ethiopian Run officially becomes Africa's second largest race (highest is the Lagos International Half Marathon which attracted 33000 last weekend). NOTE: I don't believe either figure --Ed.

He will be challenged all the way to the line by Mulugeta Wondimu, who finished 10th in the 1500m at the Athens Olympics, and has since been training for the longer distances. But Sihine's old rival Gebregziabher Gebremariam will not return to the Run this year as he has racing commitments in Spain.

In the women's race, all eyes will be on Ethiopia's Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Ejegayehou Dibaba as she aims to win her first Great Ethiopian Run title. Her main challenge will come in the form of Eyerusalem Kuma, sixth place finisher in the 13th World Half Marathon Championships in New Delhi, India.

Elite Field at the 2004 TOYOTA Great Ethiopian Run

Men- all Ethiopia unless indicated
1.      Sileshi Sihine 
2.      Abebe Dinkessa 
3.      Gabo Burka 
4.      Assefa Mezgebu 
5.      Mulugeta Wondimu 
6.      Alene Imre 
7.      Markos Genetti 
8.      Abera Chane 
9.      Christopher Cheboiboch (KEN) 
10.  Francis Bowen (KEN) 
11.  Joseph Ngolepus (KEN) 

Women- all Ethiopia unless indicated 

1.      Ejegayehou Dibaba 
2.      Eyerusalem Kuma 
3.      Sentayehu Ejigu 
4.      Derebe Alemu 
5.      Gelete Burka 
6.      Bizunesh Bekele 
7.      Eunice Jepkorir (KEN) 
8.      Joyce Chepchumba (KEN)
9.      Rahab Ndungu (KEN)