Posted: July 14, 2006

Athletics: Tergat, Prokopcuka To Defend NYC Marathon Titles

From David Monti

© 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

ROME – Paul Tergat, the world record holder in the marathon, and Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, will defend their titles at the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 5, organizers announced today at a press conference in Rome.

“Last year’s race will always be one of my greatest memories,” said the Kenyan, who, in a dramatic homestretch duel last year, defeated defending champion Hendrick Ramaala by less than a second in 2:09:30, the closest finish in the five-borough race’s 36 editions. “I look forward to hopefully racing Hendrick again. New York is a difficult course and the weather can also prove to be a challenge.”

In another close race, Tergat set the world record of 2:04:55 at the real Berlin Marathon in 2003, just a second ahead of another Kenyan, Sammy Korir. The previous record, 2:05:38, was set by American Khalid Khannouchi in London in 2002.

A calf injury forced Tergat out of the Flora London Marathon last Spring, but Tergat said that he’s now fully fit, and will focus primarily on November’s New York race and the Great North Run in Newcastle, England, in September, the world’s largest half-marathon. In the British race, Tergat is set to face Italy’s Stefano Baldini, the Olympic marathon champion, and Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, the two-time world marathon champion.

“I was probably in the best shape of my life when I had to pull out of the London Marathon just a few days before the race, and I was not sure I would be ready to return to New York,” Tergat said. “After a difficult time following London, I now feel 100 percent ready and I am excited to come back to New York.”

Tergat, 37, is bidding to become the first repeat champion since John Kagwe of Kenya in 1997 and 1998, and one of only five men—including Alberto Salazar and Bill Rodgers—to win two or more consecutive New York City Marathons.

Prokopcuka, 29, held off Keyan Susan Chepkemei in the final 500 meters to win in 2:24:41. She has followed up strongly in 2006, finishing second at the Boston Marathon (2:23:48) in April, and winning a pair of quality 10 Km road races: the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run (32:25) and the BUPA Great Manchester Run (31:33). Prokopcuka finished second at the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10K (31:34), a New York Road Runners event, in June. P>“I am full of anticipation to try to win again,” said Prokopcuka. “I respect my competitors, but I am not afraid of them, because I am feeling I am strong enough to beat everyone on the New York City marathon course.”

Already announced for the New York race was Olympic bronze medallist Deena Kastor, winner of the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and the 2006 Flora London Marathon, who will headline the women’s field.

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