Posted: August 1, 2005

Athletics: Johnson To Defend BUPA Great North Run Title

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

Benita Johnson will defend her BUPA Great North Run title on September 18, organizers announced today.

Last year, the 26-year-old Australian won the Newcastle to South Shields, England race in 67:55, defeating Kenyans Edith Masai and Susan Chepkemei. It was the second fastest half-marathon performance of 2004.

"It has always been our policy to invite past champions to defend their titles", said athletics director Matthew Turnbull. "Now that she is definitely competing I can whittle down the number of elite international athletes who have asked to be considered for the meeting. I have my own ideas of who I really want and when the World Championships reach a conclusion next month and athletes re-assess their fitness and intentions, there will be more announcements."

The Great North Run is the world’s largest half-marathon. At last year’s 24th edition, a record 38,374 participants finished. 50,000 runners will start the race this year.