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VANCOUVER. 5th June 2008. A strong international field that is expected to challenge for records was announced today for this year's 10th Anniversary Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, to be run on its famous, scenic, downhill course from UBC to Stanley Park on Sunday June 22nd. In keeping with tradition, "we expect some really good battles up front," said Race Director Clif Cunningham. More than 5,000 participants are expected to toe the Start line, in what is also a major fundraiser—collecting more than $250,000 for 10 local charities.
The men's race promises a splendid battle between Ethiopian Kasime Adillo and Kenyans Moses Macharia and Josephat Ongeri. The 29 year old Adillo placed 3rd at last September's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in a PR of 2:10:20, before going onto take 5th place at the prestigious Boston Marathon in April, running 2:12:24 on the tougher Boston course. “I am happy to be back in Canada,” said Adillo. “I'm fit, recovered from Boston, and ready to set a new course record in Vancouver.” To do so, he'll have to run under 63:10, the mark set last year by Kenyan Patrick Nthiwa. Pushing him all the way are likely to be Kenyans Macharia and Ongeri. Macharia has been tearing up the roads in the Canada Running Series this Spring, winning Harry's Spring Run Off Toronto 8K in 23:37 on April 5th, placing 2nd at a windy Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal on April 20th in 63:57, before recording another win at Sporting Life Toronto 10K on May 4th in a sizzling 28:18 — more than a minute faster than the winning time at this year's Sun Run. Ongeri was 3rd at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships at Banque Scotia 21k in 64:47, and 3rd again at Sporting Life 10K in 29:26.
A group of Canada's best distance runners will also provide for a thrilling race within the race, as the best of the West faces off against some strong talent from the East. Victoria's Jim Finlayson and Jon Brown are guaranteed to be in the thick of things. While Brown has been beset with injury problems this Spring, that have prevented him qualifying to represent his new country of Canada in the marathon in Beijing, his pedigree is renowned: 4th in the last two Olympic marathons, a PR of 2:09, and a victory at the 2004 Scotia Half in 63:53, as a training run before Athens. If he's ready, he'll be the class of the Canadians, and could readily challenge the African supremacy. One of BC's best, Jim Finlayson has been in the top 10 perennially at the Scotia Half, most recently placing 4th two years ago in 66:55.
As always, the popularity of the Canada Running Series circuit has also guaranteed that some of the best of the East will toe the Start line, led by defending Series champion, Danny Kassap of Toronto. Danny was the only Canadian to press the Kenyans last year, and the only runner to hang onto the record-setting Patrick Nthiwa—which he did until 16k before dropping back in the pouring rain to come home a very strong 2nd overall in 64:03. Since then, he's run 2:17 at last September's Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon, then 2:15 at London two months ago. Danny will be joined in the Eastern contingent by current Series' points leader, Paul Chafe of Toronto, and second-in-the-standings Dehbi Amor of Sherbrooke, QC.
While Kenyan Florence Jepkoskei looks to be in a class of her own in the women's race, behind her an absorbing contest looks set to unfold. Last year's Canada Running Series Champion, veteran Olympian Lisa Harvey of Calgary, [who was also 2nd at the 2007 Scotia Half in 1:15:45] will have her hands full if she's going to repeat in second place this year. Victoria's Kirsty Smith, Toronto's Josiane Aboungono and Kingston's Emily Tallen are three talented, young up-and-comers to watch. The 24 year old Smith won the First Half Half Marathon in February in an impressive solo effort of 1:16:44, more than two minutes ahead of Harvey in second. At the Sporting Life 10K on May 5th, Jepkoskei broke the tape in 32:11; Tallen was 3rd in 33:50; and Aboungono was 4th in 34:11. At this year's SunRun, Harvey trounced the contenders, finishing 2nd woman, to Tallen's 7th and Smith's 10th. So watch for the sparks to fly all the way along Spanish Banks, through Kits down to Stanley Park on the 22nd. The contest for second place is just too close to call; it could be anybody's race on the day!
Finally, defending Canada Running Series Men's Masters' champion will be out to strut their stuff and show why they're the best of the 40+ crowd—Montreal's Louis-Philippe Garneau will have to fight off a posse of BC's top vets led by Norm Tinkham, Richard Lee, Mark Bomba, Neil Holm and Art Boileau. Coquitlam's Nancy Tinari should have an easier time of things on the women's side.
Elite Start List as of June 4/08(PDF)
There's still time to book your place on the Start line and join the excitement in the 10th Anniversary Scotiabank Vancouver Half and accompanying 5K fun run. Online registration, plus the course map showing entertainment centres and best places to be a spectator are at www.vancouverhalf.com..
Why run SVHM?
Here's a reminder of why the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is a yearly favourite of the community:
- A GREAT COURSE! Run from UBC to Stanley Park.
- DOWNHILL COURSE!
- Technical shirt with your registration!
- Unique finisher medals to mark your accomplishment.
- 2 Day Runners' Expo - with great vendors from the sport and health community.
- Live bands on course! We're looking at adding even more entertainment on course and at the finish area. More than other local runs!
- Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge! Raising money for great local charities, with the money you raise going directly to those charities! (more details coming soon).
- More great 10th Anniversary suprises! We are always looking to improve the event experience and the 10th anniversary is no exception.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
