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Some of the world's best marathoners will be testing their fitness Sunday at the BUPA Great North Run in Newcastle, England, the premier fall half-marathon on the international calendar. Elite athletes coordinator Matthew Turnbull has assembled formidable fields, despite the withdrawal of marathon world record holder Paul Tergat who felt he needed more time to prepare for his title defense at the ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.
Leading the charge at the front of the men's field will be South African star Hendrick Ramaala, who has won the race twice (1997 and 2003). Ramaala, who is gearing up for the ING New York City Marathon, has a 59:20a half-marathon career best. Stefano Baldini, the reigning Olympic Marathon champion, who has a half-marathon career best of 1:00:50 is also tuning up for New York, as is Dathan Ritzenhein who is making his half-marathon debut. Two-time world marathon champion Jaoud Gharib of Morocco is also in the field, tuning up for the Fukuoka Marathon in December. He's run 1:00:51a for the half-marathon distance.
The women's race will see Susan Chepkemei of Kenya (1:05:44a PB), who is also getting ready for the marathon in New York, facing off against Berhane Adera of Ethiopia (1:07:32a), who will be running the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Oct. 22. Benita Johnson (1:07:55a) is also running Chicago and will be lining up at the Great North Run. Briton Jo Pavey will be making her half-marathon debut, while Kenyan Sally Barsosio (1:12:05a) will try to improve on her 8th place finish at the GNR last year.
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