Posted: November 29, 2005

Athletics: Tokyo Women’s Marathon causes most changes in latest IAAF World Rankings

Monte-Carlo - The international world of athletics is currently in between seasons. While the autumn road running competition period comes to a close, the indoor circuit is still to commence. Therefore, it is not surprising that over the past fortnight the only event to affect the top of the IAAF World Rankings was the Tokyo International Women’s Marathon.

2000 Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi pleased the home crowd winning in Tokyo, more than half-a-minute ahead of her nearest rival. The 33-year-old finished in 2:24:39 (1316 points) allowing her to re-enter the Marathon – Road Running Event Ranking in 15th place, only a single point behind Germany’s Luminita Zaituc.

Lithuania’s Zivilé Balciunaité was second in the Japanese capital behind the home favourite. The Lithuanian ran 2:25:15 (1288 points) and moved up 15 places in the Event Ranking to 19th, where she is tied with Italy’s Rosaria Console.

Although Elfenesh Alemu finished behind Balciunaité in Japan, the Ethiopian is still ahead of her in the Event Ranking. The 30-year-old Alemu moved up a single spot to 17th by placing 3rd in Tokyo with 2:26:50 (1248 points).

On the men’s side, Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie strengthened his position in the Marathon – Road Running Event Ranking, although he could not step up in terms of position. Gebrselassie comfortably won the Nijmegen Zevenheuvelenloop 15km race in the Netherlands with 41:57 (1250 points) and closed the gap with Martin Lel of Kenya to only 4 points. The Event is still led by double World Marathon champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, with Lel in second and Gebrselassie in third.

See the full IAAF World Rankings at: IAAF.org.