Posted: June 7, 2005

Athletics: Eastern Europeans Lead The Elite Women's Field In This Year's Edinburgh Marathon

This year's Edinburgh Marathon could see three Eastern Europeans claim the top three spots if they run to form.

Edinburgh Marathon organisers have attracted a higher level of runners from around the world with an expanded elite field of thirty athletes due to run in the third Edinburgh Marathon on June 12.

Ian Ladbrooke, Edinburgh Marathon Race Director said: "The elite field is much stronger this year, thanks mainly to a redesigned faster and more competitive course. Three year funding from EventScotland has also enabled us to attract this international field to Scotland and in turn secure TV coverage for the first time."

Russian Zinaida Semenova is the fastest woman taking part with a PB of 2-27 and is the three times winner of the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis. Hot on her heels will be the younger Ukraine Tatyana Hladyr, whose international form is steadily improving - taking second position with a PB of 2-32 at Capri Italy last year. Liliya Yadzhak will also be chasing her Russian team mate with the hope of building on her win in the Seville Marathon in February.

Mulu Seboka of Ethiopia is also expected to be in the leading pack especially if she has recovered from this year's London Marathon where she took five minutes off her best time, running 2-30.

On the domestic front, Falkirk nurse Roz Alexander will be leading the Scots charge, fresh from winning the Loch Leven Half Marathon in May.

Alexander said: The Edinburgh Marathon is an important stepping stone for me to work towards achieving a qualifying time to get a place in next year's Commonwealth team and hopefully run for my country. I am also looking forward to running in front of a home crowd for a change with family and friends out supporting me along the way."

Competition is expected to be fierce between Alexander, who ran 2-47 in January 2005 Las Vegas and Aberdeen-born, Shona Crombie Hicks who has been dogged by injuries in recent years, but put in a good performance at the Glasgow Britannic 10KM last month.

Crombie Hicks said: "I've not run a marathon since 2002 but I'll be hoping to get a Commonwealth qualifying time at Edinburgh."

The two Scots will have to keep on their toes with Irvine AC runner Jan Roxburgh - who broke the three hours barrier at last year's Loch Ness Marathon - and Stockport Harriers runner Jenny Murray chasing to be the first Scottish woman home.

Ian Ladbrooke continued: "Other women to watch in the Ladies Race are Fabiolo William from Tanzania, though her best is 2-40, that was at altitude and so she should go faster at sea level, and Ethiopia's Getenesh Urge Lemma who won the Belfast Marathon on her debut earlier this year, running 2-41."

This year's new course has seen the removal of Arthur's Seat and slower stretches of cycle paths. Over 11,000 runners are expected to take part; 6400 marathon runners and 5000 team relay runners. The marathon will begin at 9am and the relay at 10-05 am.

Prize money for men and women is 1st, $5000, 2nd $3000, 3rd $2000.

For further information visit www.edinburgh-marathon.co.uk.

Race director Ian Ladbrooke is also coach to the following runners: John Mutai, Simon Pride, Piet Jacobs and Zak Kihara, Mulu Seboka, Cathy Mutwa, Roz Alexander, Jane Kariuki

 Elite Mens Field

Runner Number  Runner County Personal Best 

1 Francis Robert Naali Tanzania 2:09:32 Berlin 96
2 John Mutai Kenya 2-12-19 Dubai 2001
3 Semeretu Alemayehu Ethiopia 2-07-45 Turin 2002
4 Simon Pride Scotland 2-16-27 London 2002
5 Anatoly Zaruk Ukraine 2-11-47 Ukraine Record
6 Mindi Pukstas Lithuania 2-12-49 Texas Austin 2005
7 Colin Khozza South Africa 2-14-46 Mumbai 2005
8 Desse Dembelach Ethiopia 2-15 Mumbai 2005
9 Jackson Kipngetuny Kenya 2-14
10 Piet Jacobs South Africa 2-17 Enchede 2003
11 Elijah Mugo Kenya 2-15 Chile 2004
12 Zachary Kihara Kenya PACE
13 Elijah Mutai Kenya 2-18-54 Nairobi 2004 (altitude)
14 David Taylor England 2-13-27 Frankfurt

Elite Ladies Field

Runner Number  Name Nationality Personal Best 
101 Zinaida Semenova Russia 2-26 Twin Cities 2001
102 Tatyana Hladyr Ukraine 2-32-24 Carpi Italy
103 Liliya Yadzhak Russia 2-39-53 winner Seville 05
104 Mulu Seboka Ethiopia 2-30-54 London 05
105 Roz Alexander Scotland 2-47 Las Vegas 05
106 Shona Crombie Hicks Scotland 2-40 Dublin 03
108 Jane Kariuki  Kenya 2-43 winner Lahore
109 Fabiola William Tanzania 2-40 winner Meru
110 Jane Omoro Kenya 2-44.52 ran world cross 02
111 Cathy Mutwa Kenya  PACE
112 Getenesh Urge Lemma Ethiopia 2-40 winner Belfast
113 Jenny Murray Scotland/Stockport 2-55
114 Rima Dubovik Ukraine  twice winner Itanbul 2-33