Sensational news: Japanese heroin Naoko Takahashi (Club Sekisui Chemical
Industries), winner of the Sydney Olympics marathon, has officially announced
she will run the 28th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on 30 September 2001. Her
participation will add another highlight to the impressive history of
world-class athletes competing in this extremely popular Berlin race.
Already on 23 April this year, head coach Yoshio Koide, together with the SCC
Berlin organizers, inspected the Berlin marathon course and found it to be easy
running. Negotiations to bring Naoko Takahashi to Berlin had been going on
since early October 1999 - long before her Olympic triumph.
With less than 15 weeks to go, the SCC organizers have now received 27,387
entries from 71 countries (previous years figure: 15,271).
Entries are still available for runners, power walkers and wheelchair
athletes who are advised to apply shortly since the limit may be reached very
soon.
No further entries can be accepted for inline skaters where the limit of 6,000
participants has been reached.
After Ronaldo da Costa (BRA), with a time of 2:06:05 in 1998, and Tegla
Loroupe (KEN), 2:20:43 in 1999, had set the mens and womens world records,
respectively, over the old course, this years newly laid out and certified
route will have even fewer bends which is great news for runners aiming at fast
times.