Posted: November 1, 2005

Athletics: Lel to Still Run New York

From David Monti

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

Press Release - From New York Road Runners

NEW YORK, Oct 30 - The 2003 New York City Marathon champion and reigning London Marathon champion Martin Lel is remaining in the field for the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday despite a recent injury to his lower right leg according to his manager in a statement released today by race officials.

"He started to feel the pain about three weeks and in the last 10 days the pain became stronger and stronger but today he went for training and the situation looks better," said Federico Rosa in an e-mail sent to New York Road Runners officials over the weekend.

It is the second consecutive year that Lel's status for the race has been thrown into doubt. Last year he was unable to defend his title when a thigh injury knocked him out before race day.

"Martin's news highlights the challenges of the marathon," said race director Mary Wittenberg. "Athletes like Martin push their bodies to their extreme limits in a gamble to win the title. While we wish him well, this news only adds to the intrigue of an already fascinating match up."

Lel, 27, of Kenya is one of three reigning champions of the Big Five marathons in the men's field along with New York City defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa and Boston winner Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia. Along with world record holder Paul Tergat, New York course record holder and 2001 champion Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia, Olympic silver medal winner Meb Keflezighi of the United States, Jon Brown of Great Britain and Mark Carroll of Ireland, the men's field is the strongest ever in the race history according to race officials.

Lel won the London Marathon in 2:07:26 in April and had been rounding in top form before the injury with a fourth place finish at the Lisbon Half-Marathon (59:42) in September before the injury .