Posted: March 31, 2006

Athletics: Berlin Half-Marathon Press Conference Highlights

Luminita Zaituc
About the current shape:
"I feel very good and hope to show it on Sunday. I know that it will be hard to defend my title, because Deena Kastor is in very good shape. But I don’t put myself under pressure, and I will run my own race. I will see what will happen at the end.”

About what she did after the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON 2005, where she was second:
"First of all I had a three week break. I really enjoyed it and I almost didn’t move at all. The first race after the break was absolutely great and I felt that this is what I love to do – running. I have so much pleasure doing it. Then I was in a training camp in Spain, and it was good. I had a couple of small competitions. At the German Championships last weekend the conditions weren’t that good. Now I will see what I can accomplish here. I watch the others but will not start too fast.”

Paul Kosgei
About his current shape:
"I have been training since January and I am in good shape. Training is very good. I won’t promise anything, but I will do my best. I train with Paul Tergat and he told me it is possible form to run faster in Berlin due to the fast course. I am happy to be back in Berlin after my world record at 25 k in 2004. I am not under big pressure because it is not my first time here in Berlin. And I am not worried about the other guys. I think it will be a strong race and I am looking forward to it“.

About Haile Gebrselassie’s world record race at 25 k:
“Well, I checked the internet about that back in Kenya. I am not afraid about losing a record.”

Evans Cheruiyot
About his current shape:
"I am feeling very strong this year and I will do my best. I have been training in Eldoret (Kenya) and have competed in a half marathon in 2000 m altitude and clocked 61 minutes. I hope to run 59 minutes here”.

Website: www.berliner-halbmarathon.de

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