News Archive

At noon tomorrow, Friday, December 15, 2006, registration for the 34th BERLIN-MARATHON, which will take place on September 29/30, 2007, will be opened. With 47,755 registered runners, walkers, wheelchair competitors, hand cyclists, and inline skaters (who had their own separate event on Saturday), the last BERLIN-MARATHON was by far the largest event in Germany for the 42.195 km distance.

NEW YORK (November 5, 2006) - The World Marathon Majors (WMM) leader board saw plenty of movement following the results of today’s ING New York City Marathon. Held in near-perfect conditions, Jelena Prokopcuka (LAT) in the women’s race and an unexpected win by Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA) on the men’s side, saw the former move to the head of the WMM table, and the latter, install himself in a three-way tie for second with Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) and Felix Limo (KEN).

New York RoadRunners and NBC Sports on MediaZone are offering online interactive video streaming of the ING New York City Marathon. Marathon fans can watch the race live on Sunday, November 5, or catch the action after the event by purchasing an on-demand replay.

Best of all, marathon fans will have the ability to customize their viewing of the marathon.

Robert K. Cheruiyot’s dramatic victory in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon today not only secured him $140,000 in prize and bonus money, it also moved him into a commanding lead in the chase for the $500,000 that is awaiting the winner of the World Marathon Majors Series in 2007. The Chicago race was the fourth of the five WMM events that will take place in 2006, the next and final one of the year being the ING New York City Marathon on November 5.

Every Finisher can watch the last moments of his or her 42,195 kilometres online and as a download. Simply enter your name or bib number at www.finisherclip.de – and your personal finish at the Brandenburger Tor will be shown. Finisher Clip is presented by T-Pay from T-Com.

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Haile Gebrselassie – men’s champion, real,- BERLIN-MARATHON 2006 in 2:05:56, the fastest time in the world this year: “The victory in Berlin has given me more confidence for the marathon at the Olympics, though I have to qualify for the Ethiopian team for Beijing first! I was confident before Berlin that I would run well and this performance shows that I’m one of the best in the marathon. I’m not bad at all!”

Haile Gebrselassie won the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON in the German capital Sunday morning. But what looked until the closing kilometres like a successful assault on his great rival Paul Tergat’s world record of 2.04.55, set in this same race in 2003, evaporated, and the tiny Ethiopian finished one minute and one second behind the Kenyan’s time, with 2.05.56. The race was run in bright sunshine throughout, with temperatures rising from 16C (59F) at the 9am start, to more than 20° C (68F) at the...

BERLIN: Haile Gebrselassie, the most famous name in long distance running joins the head of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) leaderboard following his victory in the real,- BERLIN - MARATHON in 2hr 05min 56sec on Sunday morning. The WMM - a union of the top five global marathons - is three races through the first year of its inaugural two year series, and multi-world record holder and Olympic and world titleist Gebrselassie joins Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Felix Limo, winners of the Boston...

The World Marathon Majors, the union of the top five global marathons, will get a boost in class and recognition if Haile Gebrselassie wins the third race in the series, the real,-BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday morning. The Ethiopian track star, who has broken 21 world records in his long career sets out in his fourth marathon on the course where his great rival, Paul Tergat of Kenya set a world record of 2.04.55 three years ago.

If silence speaks louder than words, then Haile Gebrselassie may finally come to terms with the ultimate long distance race, when he runs in the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday morning. By anyone else’s standards, the Ethiopian star’s first two marathons – a third in London ’02 in 2.06.35, and a win in Amsterdam ’05 in 2.06.20 – were top drawer. But his ninth place in London, in 2.09.05 six months ago was, as he admits, a disaster, albeit one he felt he could explain.

Everything changes, everything stays the same. The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday is the third leg of the inaugural series of the World Marathon Majors (WMM), the union of the top five 42.2 kilometre events around the globe. But, as usual, Berlin, like Boston and London earlier this year is likely to develop into a ‘local derby’ between the East African super-runners, the Kenyans and Ethiopians. The Kenyans have the upper hand (or should that be foot?) at the moment, having won both men’s and...

Gete Wami (Ethiopa): „I’m looking forward to the real,-BERLIN-MARATHON. I’m fit and have had three to four months’ preparation for Berlin. After I had my daughter Eva in 2003, I didn’t feel quite as strong as before. My legs couldn’t do what they used to.My aim here is run under 2:20 – and if the weather is right and I feel right, I’ll be going for that kind of time. I’m looking forward to the contest between myself and Salina Kosgei. On Sunday we’ll be rivals but otherwise, and this applies to...

Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia): “The conditions in London (where he finished 9th in 2:09:05 on April 23 this year – ed note) didn’t suit me. It was raining and when the road becomes slippery it affects my running style which is to land on the forefoot. Wet conditions can give me injury problems. But I’ve not changed my training, I’ve done exactly the same training as for London and feel very good.”

Haile Gebrselassie will run the 42.195 k distance for the first time in Germany on Sunday’s real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. The 33 year-old Ethiopian already set 21 world records in his outstanding career. But the two time 10.000 m Olympic champion is still chasing one major goal: the marathon world record, which is held by his big rival Paul Tergat. The Kenyan had run 2:04:55 hours in Berlin 2003. The flat course in Berlin hands Haile Gebrselassie a great chance now to improve the mark of Paul Tergat....

When the field races away from the starting line at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON this coming Sunday, September 24, not only will it signify the beginning of yet another world-class battle on the streets of the German capital, it will also represent the resumption of the 2006 World Marathon Majors Series.

Germany’s most spectacular road race will be started this Sunday: the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. 39,636 runners and walkers from 105 nations have entered the race, about one million spectators are expected to line the course. Men’s favourites are Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) and Sammy Korir (Kenya) while Gete Wami (Ethiopia) and Salina Kosgei (Kenya) seem to have the best chances to collect the 50,000 Euro prize for first place.

The Olympic Champion in the marathon, Mizuki Noguchi had to call off her participation in the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on September 24 due to injury, Race Director Mark Milde announced today. The 28 year-old Japanese woman won the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON in 2005 with a course and Asian record time of 2:19:12, making her the third fastest female marathon runner of all time.

Britain’s Liz Yelling will come back to the German capital to run the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on 24th September. Besides the Olympic Champion and course record holder Mizuki Noguchi (Japan/2:19:12) Gete Wami (Ehtiopia/2:22:19) and Sonja Oberem (Germany) will be among the contenders in a strong women’s field. 40,000 runners will take part in the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. No further entries are accepted for the race.

Quite a few world records have been missed at the once again high-quality IAAF Golden-League-Meeting in Brussels but one all time best has been achieved at the 30th van Damme Memorial: the team from Kenya set a new world record at the rarely run 4 x 800 metres. Joseph Mutua, William Yiampoy, Ismael Kombich and Wilfred Bungei ran the distance in 7:02,43 minutes crossing the finishing line just in front of the US team (7:02,82). They broke the 24-year-old world record of 7:03,89 minutes which the...

“I will run as fast as I can, but I cannot say what time is possible,” said Haile Gebrselassie during a press conference for the real,- BERLIN MARATHON, where he will be competing on September 24 alongside 40,000 other runners. The 33-year-old exceptional runner from Ethiopia consciously avoided the words “world record” – he has missed that goal at his three previous attempts at the 42.195 km classic distance.His Kenyan rival Paul Tergat holds the current world record, which he set winning the...

Saif Saaeed Shaheen fell a little short on his assault on his own 3,000m steeple World Record, but he did yet again display his absolute dominance of the event in Zurich. With the clock reading 6:54 as he passed the bell, Shaheen was already more than a full straight of the track ahead of the chase pack, but more than two seconds behind the world record pace. He reached the finish in 7:56.54, a meet record, but just under his 7.56.32 world leader from Athens.

Haile Gebrselassie will run against high class competitors at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. One of the Ethiopian rivals will be the second fastest marathon runner of all times: Sammy Korir. In 2003 the Kenyan finished only one second behind Paul Tergat, who was then running the current world record of 2:04:55 hours. Furthermore Sammy Korir leads the marathon top list in 2006. In April he won the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:06:38. This year nobody has run faster at the 42,195 k distance.

The world’s second-fastest female marathoner, 2003 World Champion, and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba will make her third appearance in the ING New York City Marathon on November 5, 2006, it was announced today by ING New York City Marathon race director and New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. The Kenya native will attempt to win her first title in New York after second-place finishes in 1999 and 2003.

Ulrike Maisch sensationally won gold in the marathon at the European Championships in Gothenburg. The German ran a new personal best of 2:30:01 hours, finishing in the Ullevi Stadium. It was her second marathon this year, after she had run in Hamburg in April. In November 2004 she had a foot surgery.

The 3,000 m steeplechase produced one of the biggest surprises at the European Athletic Championships in Gothenburg. Almost as sensational as Jan Fitschen’s victory at the 10,000 m, the Finn Jukka Keskisalo won gold – and once again the favourite Spanish runners were beaten. The 25 year-old Finn took over the lead from José Luis Blanco almost without resistance on the home stretch and clocked 8:24,89 minutes. The Spaniard finished second and Bob Tahri (France) took the bronze medal in 8:27,15.

Spain’s Juan Carlos de la Ossa will be running his debut at the 33. real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on September 24th. The 29 year-old Spaniard will among others compete against Haile Gebrselassie at the third race of the World Marathon Majors series (WMM) in Berlin. 40,000 runners are already confirmed for the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON and no more participants are accepted. Further entries are not possible anymore.

Jo Pavey had been one of the last few hopes for finally winning a gold medal for Great Britain’s team at the European Championships.It was eight years ago in Budapest, when the British team had won the most gold medals of all nations, winning nine events.Until now they have not won a single one. At the end Jo Pavey did not even win a medal in the 5,000 m final. She finished fourth in 15:01.41 after having increased the pace in the second half of the race and leading most of the way.

Compared to the sensational marathon triumph of the German Ulrike Maisch, there was no such surprise in the men’s marathon race for gold one day later. On Sunday the big favourite won: Italian Stefano Baldini took the gold medal in 2:11:32 hours. The 35 year-old is now European Champion for the second time after 1998. It was a different story for the silver medal, since the Swiss Viktor Röthlin won it totally unexpected in 2:11:50 ahead of Spaniard Julio Rey (2:12:37).

German Athletics has a female counterpart of Jan Fitschen: Four days after the totally unexpected 10,000 m triumph Ulrike Maisch won today surprisingly and in a spectacular way the gold medal in the marathon at the European Championships in Gothenburg. Ulrike Maisch clocked 2:30:01 hours, a new personal best. She was well ahead of Olivera Jevtic (Serbia/2:30:27) and the Russian Irina Permitina (2:30:53).

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon today announced six additions to its elite field. The world-class competitors will compete for a portion of the Race’s $650,000 prize purse, the largest available in the sport, at its 29th running on Sunday, October 22. Returning 2005 men’s champion Felix Limo (KEN) will defend his title alongside four-time Chicago competitor Daniel Njenga (KEN) in the men’s field. The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon women’s champion Constantina Tomescu-Dita (ROM) will be...

Two years ago Olga Kotlyarova, then a 400 m runner, tried to compete at double the distance. Just in jest she ran a world-class time of 1:57.96 minutes at her first attempt. Now the 30 year-old Russian is the European 800 metre Champion. She won the final in Gothenburg in 1:57.38. It was her first serious 800 m season. The silver medal was won by her countrywoman Swetlana Klyuka (1:57.48), and the third place was taken by Britain’s Rebecca Lyne clocking 1:58.45.

The Frenchman Mehdi Baala defended his Eurpean Championships’ title in the one and only running decision of the day. The 27 year-old ran the 1,500 m in 3:39,02 minutes and beat the Ukrainian favourite Ivan Heshko, who finished second in 3:39,50 minutes. Third was the Spaniard Juan Carlos Higuero with 3:39,62.

The first long distance final at the European Championships in Gothenburg produced a superb result. At the end of the 10,000 m the Russian Inga Abitova won the gold medal by improving her personal best by nearly one minute to 30:31.42 minutes. The Norwegian Susanne Wigene caused an unexpected Scandinavian success with a great final sprint, finishing second in 30:32.36 minutes. Third was Russian Lidiya Grigoryewa in 30:32.72.

Online registration for the sixth annual B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute opens Wednesday, July 19 at www.baa.org. The event has grown steadily since its inception in 2001 when 3,375 runners entered. With the 2006 field limited to 4,500 entrants, the race will fill within a few weeks.

At this season’s Super Grand Prix in Ostrava there were two curious running events. First it was an official who had an impact on the race. Then an athlete made a strange mistake and missed out on a possible good result. In the 3,000m steeplechase the final lap was signalled 400 metres too soon. The Kenyan Paul Koech didn’t notice the fault, increased the pace and raised his arms when he crossed the finish line. By the time he realized that there was still one lap to go it was too late.

Rowing is a well established tradition at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It’s a sport that demands strength, endurance and co-ordination and, in addition, to be part of a crew of eight rowers and a cox. As devotees of long distance running, we can appreciate the qualities that help us achieve personal bests. Do rowing and distance running have qualities in common?

As the patron of this event, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of the participants, the organisers, the trainers and coaches, the accompanying friends and family, and the numerous spectators of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. The BERLIN-MARATHON now has a permanent spot in the event calendars of many runners from around the world. It is thus no surprise that once again tens of thousands of runners, wheelchair competitors, hand cyclists, and power walkers from 100 countries will come to...

ING New York City Marathon defending champions Paul Tergat of Kenya, the world record-holder who captured the New York title last year in the closest finish in race history, and surprise winner Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia will return to the 2006 race on Sunday, November 5, it was announced today. New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg made the announcement at a special news conference in advance of the IAAF Golden League Golden Gala track meet. Wittenberg was...

In Paris last Saturday (8), Olympic champion Meseret Defar had set the agenda, now tonight it was the World title holder Tirunesh Dibaba who was dictating the tactics, and as a result we were treated to another splendid last lap sprint between the two petite Ethiopians in the women’s 5000m. Whereas a week ago Defar had set out her stall and let the World champion make a counter attack, tonight Dibaba never allowed the World record holder to get her nose in front. The bell sounded with 13:55 on...

Marathon Olympic Champion Mizuki Noguchi presented herself in top shape on Sunday. The 27 year-old Japanese, who is preparing for the real,- BERLIN MARATHON on September 24th as the defending champion, won the Sapporo Half Marathon despite windy weather conditions in a new course record of 68:14 minutes. She bettered the old record set by Olympic marathon runner-up Catherine Ndereba by nine seconds. The Kenyan, who had won the race last year ahead of Noguchi, was running as well in the strong...

Kenenisa Bekele’s 12:51.32 win at the Paris IAAF Golden League Meeting was a world season lead, the Ethiopian World record holder taking to the front with 500m to go, and from that point untouchable. There were PBs for the next five athletes who followed the 24-year-old World Athlete of the Year across the line. In fifth place overall, came Boniface Kiprop, the Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion with a Ugandan record of 12:57.60.

The British 10 k in London attracted a field of almost 20,000 runners on Sunday. The participants were raising money for more than 350 charities. Kenyan Patrick Makau won the race in a time of 29:52 minutes. He was well ahead of John Nyasyina (Burundi/30:09) and Helder Orneilas (Portugal/30:48). The women’s race was also won by a Kenyan: Catherine Mutwa clocked 34:19 minutes for the distance.

With all of their activities for the World Cup, the footballers have set so much into motion that one can only stare in envy—and extend congratulations.

The athletics organisers do not need to ‘re-invent the wheel’ for the IAAF World Championships in 2009 footballers have already prepared things for them.

Will the track and field organisers be able to keep up with and take advantage of the opportunities as well as the footballers have been able to?

Heiner Henze addresses these questions in...

Paul Kosgei about the current shape:

„I train 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."

Only 3,000 race numbers are left for the 33rd real,- BERLIN MARATHON. 37,000 participants have already signed in for the event staged by SCC-RUNNING. As soon as the limit of 40,000 participants in the biggest German marathon is reached, no more registrations will be possible. Whoever would like to run the real,- BERLIN MARATHON on September 24th should hurry to register.

Raimund Wellenhofer, Managing Director of event organizer Go Adventure Asia said: “For its first edition, the Phuket International Marathon has exceeded our expectations. Thanks to the combined effort of local government, sponsors and the entire Phuket community, the whole week-end was a success. The feedback from participants and the media has been wonderful and we look forward to doing it again next year on June 17th.”

Past World Cups as seen through the lens of sports photographers

Since the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, the tournament has rapidly become the planet’s biggest sporting event and photographers have been there, covering the action, right from the beginning. The pictures in this exhibition come from the archives of sports photographers, photo agencies and museums.

The large-format reproductions of match scenes tell the sporting history of the tournaments and document the technical and...

Former World 10000 metres champion Gete Wami this morning defied the cold and wet conditions to win the inaugural Great Women's Race in in Sunderland. Wami emerged a comfortable winner after taking control of the 10K contest with two kilometres remaining, ahead of Portugal's Analiasa Rosa and fellow Ethiopian Elfenesh Alemu. Wami 31, who after the birth of her daughter Eva in August 2003, has made a full-time return to athletics, now sees her future lying over the marathon distance.

One of the most celebrated pre-Olympic events, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, will be hosted by two of the world's most distinguished marathon organizers. USA Track & Field awarded the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials -Women's Marathon to the Boston Athletic Association and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon to the New York Road Runners. These two organisations form part of the World Marathon Majors (WMM).

Deena Kastor, the American marathon record-holder and the 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist, today announced that she will run the ING New York City Marathon 2006 on Sunday, November 5. Kastor was joined by ING New York City Marathon race director and president and CEO of New York Road Runners Mary Wittenberg on a media conference call this afternoon. “The New York and Chicago Marathons are two of the world’s greatest marathons and part of the five World Marathon Majors,” said Kastor, 33.

"Run to win" describes the development of running in Kenya from the time of the British

influence until nowadays. It lets coaches, who have strongly influenced the rise of the

East-African nation to a world power in sports, speak in their own words, and it shows

how running has also become a big business.

The World Marathon Majors – Boston, Flora London, real,- Berlin, LaSalle Bank Chicago, and the ING New York City – have adopted a policy whereby any elite athlete who has been convicted of a drug violation will have lost the opportunity to run in the individual World Marathon Majors events. Directors and principals of the five races met on June 14 and 15 in New York City and formally took the position which goes into effect immediately.

If one takes into consideration the number of such artistic and cultural events taking place at the moment on the stages, museums, and galleries, then one could call Berlin the “cultural capital of Football.”

This includes two dozen exhibits about football, of which most will continue well beyond July 9, 2006, which will possibly draw even more football enthusiasts to the city well after the World Cup has ended. *Leading the way is the Sport Museum, with “Berlin – Story

of Football“...

The 33 rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON marks the beginning of a new promising era in the history of the biggest German marathon event. With its 40,000 participants and a series of world-class performances, the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON has already been one of the world’s most spectacular races for the past few years. The foundation of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) which the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON is part of next to the Flora London Marathon, the BAA Boston Marathon, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon...

Participants from many countries, among them from Holland, Spain, France, England, Germany and U.S.A. ran through some interesting sites like the Israel Museum, Hebrew University, The Crusaders Monastery, the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), Jerusalem Forest and Sacker Park.

This year there were some surprises – After many years of a total dominance of 3 Top Men runners, there were 3 new winners.

The strong field included Australian 2004 World Cross Country champion Benita Johnson and Ukrainian 2005 Boston BAA half-marathon champion Nataliya Berkut, who, along with Prokopcuka, ran national records placing in the top five at the Great Manchester Run 10K three weeks ago, where Wami was second. Last weekend, Johnson and Berkut had also relegated the Kenyan-born Kiplagat to third place at the Freihofer’s 5K in Albany, New York.

“I am thrilled that we are able to welcome 34,000 runners to this year’s event- 4,000 more than in 2005,” said Rick Nealis, Race Director. “The longer registration time allowed more runners to register online, and contribute to the total record race field which includes the MCM runners club, 2005 deferments, active duty registration and our important charity partner program.”

Haile Gebrselassie’s next marathon will be the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON on September 24th. This announcement was made by Berlin’s Race Director Mark Milde today. The signing of Ethiopia’s superstar is among the most high-carat commitments ever in the history of the biggest German marathon race which belongs to the formation of the World Marathon Majors (WMM). Haile Gebrselassie is the second star runner signed for this year’s real,- BERLIN MARATHON. On September 24th Japan’s Olympic Champion...

You cannot get a better tour of the city. The chosen course leads along the “must-see sights”, and if you are lucky and the Berliners are all off celebrating too much of May 1st or are revolting or paddling on the Wannsee or Müggelsee Lakes, then John Kunkeler will not only give you exclusive information about Berlin, but also the newest news in running. Thus, you might find out where the marathon course for the World Championships in 2009 will likely be.

In an unexpected decision sure to stir up debate, 2004 Olympian and 2005 U.S. cross country champion Dathan Ritzenhein will make his marathon debut in November at the ING New York City Marathon, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and ING New York City Marathon race director Mary Wittenberg. The announcement was made at a news conference during which Wittenberg presented Ritzenhein with a ceremonial ING New York City Marathon bib.

Meseret Defar finishing with a speedy last lap became the first-ever African holder of the world 5,000 metres record at the Reebok Games in New York. Defar clocking 14minutes 24.53seconds, sliced a marginal 0.15seconds from the mark Elvan Abeylegesse set two years ago in Oslo. "Haile Gebrselassie encouraged me. He said: Go to New York and I know you can break the world record. I was very confident when I saw the one-lap-to-go split time," said Defar after the race.

There was a shock defeat for Kenenisa Bekele the world 5000 metres record holder when losing to Kenyan rival Isaac Songok in tonight's IAAF Golden League meeting in Oslo. Bekele on the first of the six leg of the GL million-dollars jackpot competition, failed to match the finishing pace of Songok who posted a world leader for the year of 12minutes 55.79seconds.

The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon reached its 40,000 participant cap today and has officially closed registration sooner than ever – nearly five months in advance of the October 22 Race. A limited number of entries are still available to runners through the 60 charities affiliated with the 2006 Marathon. International runners can access a limited number of entries through several tour partners. Registration for this year’s event closed two months earlier than it did for last...

“We want to make the Phuket International Marathon into the largest destination marathon in Southeast Asia” says Austrian Raimund Wellenhofer, Managing Director of Go Adventure Asia and Race Director. After forming a partnership with a Japanese production company last year he hopes that the event can attract large numbers of Japanese runners similar to the Honolulu Marathon.

Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba, two of the sport’s biggest stars, will headline their respective 5000m races when the six meeting IAAF Golden League series commences in Oslo on 2 June, with the Exxon Mobil Bislett Games. The young Ethiopian stars, just 23 and 20 respectively, have already collectively amassed 18 World titles on the track and in cross country in their short careers.

The best middle distance runner of the last decade ends his career: Hicham El Guerrouj announced his retirement from the sport at a press conference in Casablanca. The 31 year-old Moroccan helds three world records: 1,500 m (3:26.00 minutes), the Mile (3:43.13) and 2,000 m (4:44.79). Hicham El Guerrouj, who was unbeaten in 84 out of 89 competitions at the 1,500 m since 1986, crowned his career with a double win at the Olympic Games in Athens.

The Olympic Marathon Champion Mizuki Noguchi will run the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for the second time in a row. The Japanese officially announced her participation at the biggest and most spectacular German marathon, held on September 24th. The real,- BERLIN MARATHON is part of the new World Marathon Majors Series (WMM). The organisers of the 33rd edition of the real,- BERLIN MARATHON already have 30,000 registrations. Only 10,000 bib numbers are left. As soon as the limit of 40,000 registrations...

The International Track and Field Annual has 608 pages packed, as ever, with all the essential stats,

results and articles on our sport including the deep world lists and indexes

for 2005. It also has World Indoor lists for 2006 and its topicality is

illustrated by inclusion of Commonwealth Games, World Indoor and World

Cross-country Championships results for 2006.

Since last October Heinrich Clausen is Head of Organisation of the World Championships in Athletics 2009 in Berlin. The 57 year-old already had this position at the European Championships in Munich 2002 and was working for the continental championships in Stuttgart 1986 as well as for the World Championships in 1993 in Stuttgart. Heiner Henze, treasurer of the German Athletics Federation (DLV), is the honorary managing director of the Berlin Organising Committee 2009 GmbH (BOC 2009). Heinrich...

The big favourite showed a sovereign performance: Irina Mikitenko won the 23rd AVON RUNNING Berlin Women’s race. The 33 year-old, who had finished seventh in the Olympic 5,000 m final in Athens 2004, ran the 10 k in 33:45 minutes. She had a winning margin of exactly one minute to Claudia Dreher (34:45). Third was Magdaline Chemjor (Kenya) in 35:18.

Who's #1?

For 2005, the ING New York City Marathon with 36,856 finishers kept its largest marathon title - which again made it the largest marathon ever bettering its 2004 mark of 36,562 finishers. For the second time ever, four marathons - ING New York City, Flora London, LaSalle Bank Chicago and real,-Berlin - surpassed the 30,000 finisher total; in 2003, the same four also did the same. 2006 could see for the first time five marathons with 30,000 finishers or more as this year Paris had...

“Since the black days of Sydney 2000, where only one US male and one female competed in the marathon,” states Dr. David Martin, team manager for the US long distance runners, “we have embarked upon a 6-year programme with hard work by both the athletes and the coaches to gain higher achievements, and we have also have received excellent support.”

“Good things come to those who are best prepared and have worked the hardest, who have had optimal coaching and have been supported with the best...

Japan’s first ever winner of the Vienna City Marathon received another honour a day after the race. Tomo Morimoto, who had run the second fastest time ever in this race with 2:24:33 hours, and the men’s winner Lahoucine Mrikik (Morocco), who had broken the course record with 2:08:20, were invited for a reception by the President of Austria.

The 23rd edition of the Vienna City Marathon produced one of the best quality races in its history. While the men’s race saw a course record the women’s race was won by a Japanese runner for the first time in the history of the race. It was Morocco’s Lahoucine Mrikik who surprisingly took the race with a new course record of 2:08:20 hours. Peter Chebet (Kenya) was second with 2:08:56 while Dmytrov Baranovsky (Ukraine) was third in 2:10:56. Meanwhile for Japan another world class marathon runner...

Sunday’s 23rd edition of the Vienna City Marathon could provide a hot race. Not too hot in terms of the weather but regarding competition. A chase for the men’s course record appears to be likely when a strong group of Kenyan runners meet one of Europe’s best marathon runners from the Ukraine: Dimitri Baranovsky. In contrast the women’s race could become a Japanese affair for the first time in the history of the event. More than 22,000 runners will participate in various races on Sunday, making...

The White House, Capitol Building and the new World War II Memorial are among the landmarks on the course. Beginning near Arlington Memorial Cemetery and ending at the Marine Corps War Memorial, the MCM course winds its way through Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C. offering runners and spectators all the charm, beauty and patriotism the nation's capital has to offer.

The MCM is run each year on the last Sunday in October. Since its inception in 1976, more than 300,000 military and...

Around 10,500 participants and a high class elite field will participate in the Run Berlin on Sunday. The main race is the traditional 25 k of Berlin with its finish in the Olympic Stadium. Kenya’s Paul Kosgei had won this race in a world record time of 1:12:45 hours two years ago. The record still stands since Haile Gebrselassie’s recent mark is not ratified and there are doubts that the time will be approved.

The major marathons in April are finished but there is more to come this spring: On 7th May the 23rd edition of the Vienna City Marathon will be started. Organisers of the biggest one day sporting event in Austria expect more than 20,000 runners in various events next week. The prime race will of course be the marathon for which a high-class field has been put together.

Felix Limo was the winner of the Flora London Marathon last Sunday. He is now a joint leader of the World Marathon Majors Series (WMM). In 2004 Felix Limo had won the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. After his London triumph the Kenyan gave the following interview.

How was the race?

Felix Limo: „I felt good throughout the race and was prepared for everything. Sure I am really happy with my result, although the chances were fifty-fifty to win the race when we were on the last stretch.”

Deena Kastor after her superb Flora London Marathon victory is keeping her options wideopen about a possible clash later in the year with Paula Radcliffe. "I will take a couple of weeks to reflect on my next goal," said Kastor, after becoming the fourth fastest-ever woman with her winning time of 2:19:36 hours. “I haven't discussed what's next for me yet," said the 33-year-old American, adamant she will not rush into deciding where to contest her next marathon.

For many MARATHON runners, this Jubilee Club is still new territory, and they bring with them the certificates and lists of results from the past to document that they have successfully crossed the finish 10 — or more — times at the BERLIN-MARATHON.

There are now 109 women, 1,472 men, and 16 male wheelchair athletes, making a total of 1,597 Jubilee Club members from 14 countries, with 15 more aspirants who have already submitted their documents. In addition, 37 runners have submitted proof...

The best elite field ever in the Flora London Marathon produced spectacular results and a big surprise. While Kenyan Felix Limo reached the finish at the Buckingham Palace after 2:06:39 hours, Haile Gebrselassie finished ninth in his third marathon with a time of 2:09:05 hours. The highlight of the day was achieved by American Deena Kastor, who finished in 2:19:36 hours and set a new continental record. She is now the fourth fastest marathon runner in the world. Her result is as well a new world...

Japhet Kosgei put three years of indifferent performances behind him, and did exactly as he promised the day before, winning the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon on Saturday, in 2:10:54, a new course record. The 38 year old Kenyan from Eldoret predicted both victory and the record, and he took over a minute off the previous best mark, 2:12:10. His compatriot, Festus Kioko Kikumu was also under the old record, with 2:11:30 in second place, and Ruben Mutumwo made it a Kenyan clean sweep,...

In London the top-class marathon of the year will be held on Sunday, although the organizers had to cope with the pull out of Paul Tergat (Kenya) and Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) due to injury. But there are still enough stars in the race. Olympic Champion Stefano Baldini (Italy) meets World Champion Jaouad Gharib (Marocco), and then there is the Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie as well. It’s about prestige and a lot of money: It is not only the London bonus; it is as well about points for the...

“Running in Germany has experienced fast growing development—and that is not only the case of the marathon. Tens of thousands of people are keeping fit by running, whether in the forests or training on the streets.

It is a fun sport that makes people happy and very healthy at the same time. The development can be compared to that of cycling. And the dimension it took was just as unanticipated as was that of the “Trimmbewegung” popular health movement.”

The US-American Deena Kastor set four US records at the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON which she finished second: She clocked 67:34 minutes in the half marathon which was also a new continental record. The Olympic bronze medallist from Athens 2004 passed 12 km in 38:24 minutes, 10 miles in 51:31 and 20 km in 64:07. The 33 year-old will compete as a favourite at the Flora London Marathon on April 23rd.

The 110th Boston Marathon, held today over the celebrated course from Hopkinton to downtown Boston, was also the first event in the newly instigated World Marathon Majors Series. Comprising five events – the Boston Marathon, the Flora London Marathon, the real,-Berlin Marathon, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and the ING New York City Marathon – the series spans a two year period and offers $1,000,000 in prize money to be divided between the winning male and female competitors.

The Kenyans Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Rita Jeptoo won the 110th BAA Boston Marathon. In good weather conditions 22,517 athletes participated in the race which has a point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Boston. The BAA Boston Marathon was also the premiere of the new World Marathon Majors Series (WMM). Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot won with a new course record of 2:07:14 hours ahead of his countryman Benjamin Maiyo (2:08:21) and US American Meb Keflezighi (2:09:56). Rita Jeptoo won in 2:23:38...

In 2005, the director of the theatre, Joachim Meyerhoff, ran the 2005 real,- BERLIN- MARATHON himself (12,528th in 3:58:26) in order to truly have experienced what it is that he is writing about. He wanted to find out why people would do this to themselves and to experience the kick himself. Meyerhoff is also a member of the ensemble of the Vienna Castle Theatre. “The theme of the evening is exhaustion,” Meyerhoff says.

Both the theatre and the marathon are based on myths of the antiquities:...

April is the traditional marathon month of the year. During no other time of the year there are so many high class races at 42.195 k. After Rotterdam and Paris the climax is next week: On Monday the Boston Marathon takes place and six days later the London Marathon follows almost at the same time as the Hamburg Marathon. In Boston something special commences. The World Marathon Majors Series has its premiere. „Boston has been the site of so many revolutions through history,“ said Race Director...

While at the beginning it was hardly more than a dozen runners who took the challenge, Horst and Sascha Wiczynski, who together are leading the organisation of the anniversary event, now have watched 7000 registrations be entered into the event computer. “If we have good weather, we could beat the record number of 7,230,” the go-getters at the sport club SC Grün-Weiß Paderborn agree. Those are impressive numbers for Germany’s oldest road race, which year after year has successfully managed...

The Ethiopian Meseret Defar set a new 5 k world record in Carlsbad (California). The 22 year old 5,000 m Olympic Champion of 2004 in Athens won in 14:46 minutes. In the men’s race the winner came from Ethiopia as well: Abreham Cherkose clocked 13:15. Meseret Defar, who finished second last year at the 5,000 m World Championships was beaten by her countrywoman Tirunesh Dibaba, ran right from the start her own pace and set a new world record.

The World Marathon Majors, an innovative series with a $1,000,000 prize purse, will get underway when the gun fires at the 110th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 17th. The two-year, five-marathon series will divide $1,000,000 between the overall male and female winners and will continue on Sunday, April 23rd, when the Flora London Marathon takes place on the streets of the English capital.

The Rotterdam Marathon produced once again very good times in the men’s race this Sunday. Three runners clocked sub 2:07 times. Sammy Korir ( Kenya) won in 2:06:38 hours, the fastest time of the year. Mindaye Gishu ( Ethiopia) was the women's winner in 2:28:30. At the Paris Marathon Gashaw Melese ( Ethiopia) won in 2:08:03 hours on the same day. The women’s race was compared to the men’s field less spectacular too. Irina Timofejewa from Russia ran 2:27:22. 36,500 runners participated in Paris. ...

Michael Rotich who three years ago on his last appearance set a course record of two hours six minutes and 33seconds, will be severely tested to win Sunday's 30th Paris International Marathon. The 23-year-old Kenyan faces over a dozen confident challengers not only from his own country but in particular other African nations.

The London Marathon Charitable Trust has announced yet another record total of grants allocated in December 2005 of over £3 million, based on a record surplus received from the London Marathon Ltd. These include playing fields that were purchased from the YMCA in Mottingham, LB Southwark – becoming the fourth London Marathon Playing Field and a reserve that has been set up for our commitment to legacy facilities for London 2012. Since its inception in 1981 the Charitable Trust has donated a...

Jaouad Gharib comments, “I really appreciate this prestigious award. It is always an honour to have your performances recognised and it is particularly pleasing to receive an award where over 80 countries around the world have been involved in the nomination process. It is an honour and a privilege. I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of so many great distance runners that have won this award over the years.”

Defending champion Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the Flora London Marathon on April 23 with a foot injury. The same problem which forced the world marathon record holder to miss the recent Commonwealth Games 10000 metres in Melbourne, will prevent her chasing a fourth London title. “I am really disappointed to have to miss this year’s event," said Radcliffe who has been preparing for the event at altitude in Albuqerque, New Mexico.

Deena Kastor, the 2004 Olympic bronze medallist in the marathon, will compete for the first time in Berlin when she runs in Sunday’s Vattenfall Half-Marathon. The American record holder with a time of 67:53, set in Philadelphia on September 19 last year, she was in relaxed mood when she met the press shortly after flying in from Newark on Friday morning.

If anyone doubted that Paul Kosgei could regain the top flight as a distance runner, those doubts were disproved when the 2002 world champion for the distance won the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON on Sunday. Kosgei broke the Kenyan record with 59:07, 22 seconds ahead of his compatriot Evans Cheruiyot. Only Haile Gebrselassie with 58:55 at Tempe in the USA on January 15 has run faster this year and that is a performance awaiting ratification as a world record. Kosgei also bettered the Berlin...

A dominant Kenenisa Bekele completing a fifth IAAF World Cross Country long and short course double in Fukuoka on Sunday suggested he might never again grace the championships meeting. The 23-year-old Ethiopian star after collecting a tenth senior individual gold medal - he also won the 2001 junior title - said after his awesome string of successes, this was likely to be his last appearance. "I cannot achieve anything new, I am leaning towards not competing at the World Cross Country any more,"...

Both Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba remain on target for further IAAF World Cross Country double performances after winning their races on the first day's schedule in Fukuoka on Saturday morning. Bekele now ready to chase a tenth individual gold medal in Sunday's 12K event, set up his challenge by claiming the short course four kilometres title in a time of 10:54 minutes.

Please go to the German section of the web page to folow the live ticker of the 26th Vattenfall BERLINER HALBMARATHON today. The live ticker will partly be in English as well.

Paul Kosgei is the athlete with the most impressive credentials in the Vattenfall Berlin Half-Marathon on Sunday. The 27-year-old Kenyan used to be a steeplechaser, ran a junior world record and finished seventh at the 1999 World Championships in Seville. Two years later at the World Championships in Edmonton he was again seventh, this time over 10,000 metres. In 2002 he was African champion for the distance as well as second at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He was equally successful in...

On April 2, the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON will thus have its most elite women’s field in its history. In addition to the US record-holder Deena Kastor (personal best: 67:53) and Edith Masai, who also has the exactly identical time as the American, the current fastest German female half marathoner will also be in the field: Luminita Zaituc (LG Braunschweig) won in 2005 with a time of 71:04, but she hopes to be able to improve that time this year.

Sunday’s Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON could well become the biggest race of its kind ever seen in Germany. About 20,000 athletes are expected to take part in what will be Berlin’s big opener of the new road running season. Among them will be runners and walkers, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and handbikers. A top class field will be running, headed by Deena Kastor (USA) and Paul Kosgei (Kenya).

Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba will again chase long and short course doubles in next weekend's IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka. The world's two most gifted distance runners will spearhead the Ethiopian challenge to continue its domination of the races in Japan, where they will also be aiming to defend all four team titles. Bekele who won the junior gold medal five years ago, has since emerged into the senior ranks, won the four and 12 kilometres on each successive...

Kyoto has many attractions — no wonder, as it was the capital of Japan until 1868. Then the emperor moved to Tokyo, and Kyoto lost this function.

Now each year over 30 million tourists come to Kyoto to admire the palaces and magnificent temples and gardens.

Not unimportant for runners, Kyoto is close to Osaka, the host city for the IAAF World Championships next year.

On Sunday the 26th Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON will be started with a new participation record and an international elite field. While there were 18,331 athletes in last year’s edition, there will be an expected figure of around 20,000 this year. With that the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON is the seventh biggest race of its kind in the world. Among the total number are runners as well as walker, wheelchair athletes, hand biker and inline skater.

Rüdiger Otto (Managing Director of SCC-RUNNING)

„The number of participants of the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON will increase once more. We expect about 20,000 participants – in 1998 we had 3,500. This year we don’t celebrate a jubilee, but 25 years ago the history of the Vattenfall BERLIN HALFMARATHON started.”

Maria Mutola lost her Commonwealth Games 800m title in the Melbourne Cricket Ground this evening on another night of record-breaking for Australian athletes. Perhaps she was jet lagged after all. Mutola looked so comfortable in getting to tonight’s 800m final that it was difficult to imagine anyone beating her, even Jamaica’s Kenia Sinclair who ran her close in the World Indoor final a couple of weeks ago.

Sammy Kipketer just missed the world record at the Minyard 8 k race in Dallas on Saturday (25th March). In his first US road race of the new season the Kenyan won the race with a course record of 22:12 minutes. He missed the world record by just nine seconds. Second and third places were taken by runners from the same training group (KIMbia) as well: Abraham Chebii ran 22:18 while Shadrock Kosgei (both Kenya) took third place with 22:29.

Running in Germany will certainly not progress if it continues to simply be a spectator sport.

The USA also has experienced a somewhat longer dry spell with regard to middle and long distance running. Yet they did not answer with passivity, but rather have been continually giving their young athletes the chance to develop, even at risk of finishing at the very back at the major events.

In Germany, the motto seems to be: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Nothing will be won in the future that...

The 1,500 m was meant to be the race of the night on the last day of the athletics events at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. It was all set up to be a battle between New Zealand’s Nick Willis and the Australian favourite Craig Mottram, with England’s Nick McCormick an outsider. But it was another England athlete who was at the centre of night’s great theatre.

Last year, Sutton Atkins was able to celebrate a grandious start in Berlin. Atkins won with a new course record at the 25th Bewag BERLIN HALF MARATHON. From the Berlin standpoint, it is even more pleasing that the talented Brit will be participating for a team from Berlin this year - for the Orthomol Sport Team.

Elite runners from Japan have entered the Vienna City Marathon for the first time in the history of the race. When the 23rd edition of Austria’s biggest running event will be started on 7th May 2006 Chieko Yamasaki and Tomo Morimoto will be among the big favourites for the women’s title. “Having two elite athletes from Japan running here means that we will be able to increase the international significance of our event”, race director Wolfgang Konrad said and added: “Additionally we are looking...

Kenyan distance runners broke the Australian’s hearts for the second night in a row at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne when Lucy Wangui and Evelyne Wambui broke free of the crowd’s great hope Benita Johnson with three laps to go in the women’s 10,000m. Wangui outkicked her team-mate for the gold, finishing in 31:29.47. Johnson came in fourth.

John Hancock Financial Services today announced its elite team of 31 marathon runners from 13 countries, including American Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, defending champion Hailu Negussie from Ethiopia, and past champions Timothy Cherigat and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya. The race is set for Monday, April 17, 2006. This will be John Hancock’s 21st year as principal sponsor of the event.

Kenya’s Top runner Paul Kosgei will run the 26th Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON on 2nd April. The 27 year-old was World Champion in this event four years ago. Organiser SCC-RUNNING expects a record participation of over 18,500 participants at the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON. Among the runners are inline skaters, walkers, Nordic walkers, wheelchairs and handbikers. „We are happy that we were able to commit him to our race, because Paul Kosgei is an absolute world-class runner,” explained...

More than 15,000 women and young girls, of different social classes, from the age of 12 to 70, replied to the call of Nezha Bidouane, President of the Association of “Women, Realization and Values”, which on Sunday (12), organised the first ever women’s race in Temara, Morocco, to celebrate International Women’s Day.

KIMbia Athletics launched its charity project in 2005, raising funds to pay the school fees for Kenyan children. While one year’s fees range between US $400 and $700, most children do not have the resources to pursue their education beyond the primary level. To address this need, KIMbia started a foundation to give promising young students the opportunity to develop both educationally and athletically.

Samson Ramadhani Nyonyi of Tanzania won the Commonwealth Games men's marathon in a time of 2:11:29 hours in Melbourne on Sunday. The Tanzanian took advantage of a mid-race mishap to take gold from Kenyan Fred Mogaka Tumbo. Bronze went to England's Daniel Robinson who was three minutes behind Ramadhani Nyonyi. "I know that the Kenyans are very strong, but I didn’t use strength, I used my brain," said a jubilant Ramadhani Nyonyi post race. "I’m very happy, I’mfeeling wonderful."

Andy Milroy a senior member of the Association of Road Running Statisticians has questioned the 25 kilometres road race record set by Haile Gebrselassie last Sunday in the Netherlands.At the Alphen 20K held on 12 Mar 2006, Haile Gebreselasie ran a 1:11:37 for 25 km, well under the previously fastest reported time of 1:12:45 set by Paul Kosgei (KEN) at the Berlin (GER) 25 km on 09 May 2004.

Under the pen of the graphic designer Thomas Kattwinkel of Bremen, a new, attractive flyer has been created, which not only includes the German race dates, but also presents the dates for the big races in Switzerland as part of a newly started cooperation with “Swiss Runners,” as well. With 24 events, the palette of Swiss races is very attractive; the Swiss counterpart to German Road Races includes high participatory events like the Grand Prix of Bern and the Zurich Marathon, as well as very...

There will be a great 3,000 m final at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow. Among others Ethiopian 5,000 m world record holder Kenenisa Bekele and former Kenyan Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Qatar), the 3,000 m steeplechase world record holder, qualified for the final on Sunday. There were no surprises at Friday’s prelims. In this 3,000 m final there will also be the fastest Kenyan track distance runner, Eliud Kipchoge, who won his prelim in 7:52.57 minutes slightly ahead of Kenenisa Bekele’s...

Passing Yoko Shibui with one kilometre to go, Harumi Hiroyama, ran to a 2:23:26 victory at the Nagoya International Women’s Marathon. “It was a hard race from about the half way, but I wasn’t about to give up,” said Hiroyama, who overcame a 57 second deficit at 30 Km to win her first marathon at age 37. “After 35 kilometres I was able to see Shibui ahead of me, but I could not close the gap fast enough.”

On his way to perhaps becoming the best distance runner of all times, Kenenisa Bekele took the next step in Moscow on Sunday. The Ethiopian won the 3,000 m race in 7:39,32 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships. He is now the only runner in athletics' history who has won at World Cross Country Championships, as well as World Outdoor Championships and now also at World Indoor Championships. Again he outplayed his former model Haile Gebrselassie. Because his countryman, whose 5,000 m and 10,000 m...

Ethiopian Meseret Defar tampered the home match of Russia's Liliya Shobukhova on the second day of the World Indoor Championships in Moscow. Last month, Shobukhova set a new 3,000 m world record (8:27,86 minutes) at the national indoor championships. But duelling with the 22 year-old 5,000 m Olympic Champion from Ethiopia Shobukhova had no chance. Defar reached the finish after 8:38,80 minutes.

With a new name but the same partner, the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON for Inline Skaters has now become the most important national race at the start of the season. On April 2, 2006, about 2,000 professionals and skate-for-fun athletes are expected on the 21.0795 km course through the heart of the capital. As a special service, the event organisers are offering free training on the great skating road, Kronprinzessinnenweg. In addition, you are invited to have your gear checked at the INLINE...

Deena Kastor, the Olympic bronze medallist in the marathon in Athens in 2004 will participate in the 26th Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON on April 2. She will be among the highest calibre competitors in the history of the race, according to an announcement made today by SCC-RUNNING race director, Mark Milde. Over 18,000 participants are expected at Germany’s largest half marathon, including not only runners, but also inline skaters, wheelchair competitors, hand cyclists, walkers, and Nordic...

Olympic 5000 metres silver medallist Isabella Ochichi suffered a shock defeat at the Kenyan trials for this year's IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Ochichi despite some good showings on the European circuit this winter, underwent her heaviest defeat on home soil in Nairobi. The pre-race favourite and two-times world cross bronze medallist, was well off the pace when placing fifth in the four kilometres short course race.

The official finisher records for the largest marathon and half marathon races in the world were published in the USA just in time for the 26th Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON on April 2, 2006.

SCC-RUNNING can be more than satisfied with the results.

Debutants Peter Riley and Lizzie Hall were crowned men and women's champions after dominating performances at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships in London. Both British internationals stood head-and-shoulders over their rivals at Parliament Hills Field to clinch the top cross country prizes of the domestic winter season.

A runner was the only athlete who managed a double at the German indoor championships in Karlsruhe during the past weekend: Antje Möldner won the 1,500 m and the 3,000 m. First she clocked 9:14,69 minutes on Saturday, then she ran 4:29,13 minutes a day later. But the quality of the running events at these championships was low key.

Sileshi Sihine played down his defeat after suffering an unexpected setback at the hands of unknown Ali Abdosh on the opening day of the Ethiopian Cross Country Championships. Sihine the Olympic and World 10000 metres silver medallist, seemed assured of victory when opening a 15 metres gap with only 300 metres of the four kilometres race remaining. But Abdosh with a devastating turn of finishing speed, flew past the slowing leader to clinch a two seconds win in a time of 11 minutes 37 seconds.

The numerous musical activities with approximately 60 bands and choirs along the course of the real,- BERLIN MARATHON are primarily due to his efforts. It is not without cause that he (together with Stefan Berker) runs the jazz club "Kunstfabrik Schlot", where much of the music is at home.

Both men are marathon runners, and together they are the fastest marathon pair from one jazz club, worldwide. It is thus understandable that John Kunkeler’s newest initiative

is a night run he leads,...

While Germany has numerous large and fast marathon events, athletes can (currently) only qualify for Osaka in 2007 on September 24, 2006 at the real,- BERLIN MARATHON.

In Austria, the Vienna and Graz Marathons are the selected courses, while in Switzerland the courses are the Lausanne and Zurich Marathons.

Only in the USA is it possible for runners to qualify at one of 27 marathon events, and in Poland at one of twelve.

Tiergarten Park is one of Europe's largest and most beautiful innercity parks, stretching from the Brandenburg Gate in the east of Berlin to Zoo Station in the west.

The Brandenburg Gate and the Potsdamer Platz are situated on its eastern border, which was once the frontier between East and West Berlin.

The championships served as the selection event for the U.S. team that will compete at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. The top six finishers in the Open and Junior races are eligible to compete for the U.S. team on April 1-2 in Fukuoka, Japan. The USA Championships and World Cross Country Team Trials follow the same format as the upcoming World Championships, with six races over a two-day span.

In her eighth participation at the Diekirch Eurocross - IAAF cross country permit - meeting, Susanne Ritter finally managed to catch an emphatic victory in Luxemburg. Mustafa Mohamed seemed inspired by the German winner of the women’s race as he led the field from start to finish in the men’s competition. The Swede was also delighted to win the Eurocross in which he has participated so many times before.

What was once a phenomenon – a pacemaker winning a marathon – is turning into a habit if not a tradition. Since the first major upset, in Los Angeles over a decade ago, it happens at least once a year. It was Joseph Ngeny’s turn to do the trick in Dubai, the Kenyan winning in hot and humid conditions, in 2.13.02.

Already 10,000 registration forms for the largest event of its kind in Germany have been submitted to the event organiser, more than were recorded at the same time last year. A total of 18,331 athletes from 69 countries participated last year. Once again, the 26th Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON will mark the grand opening of the new running season.

It might well be a question for a quiz question master with a keen interest in track and field athletics: Why will the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2006 begin six weeks late? The new date of February 17 instead of January 6 can be explained as follows: two days before the race, the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Raschid al-Maktoum was announced. Official mourning for the ruling emir began straightaway and was due to last for 40 days. Most athletes as well as managers and journalists were...

Sonia O'Sullivan was beaten into second place in the Telstra Australia Commonwealth Games trials (4th February) but achieved the 5000 metres qualifying time. The Irish star granted dual nationality two weeks ago and cleared by officialdom to represent Australia at the Games in March, was beaten in Sydney by Eloise Wellings. Wellings won easily in a time of 15:28.72 minutes while O'Sullivan shaded the qualifying standard of 15:45.00 by just 0.74 seconds.

The v. Bodelschwingh Institute Bethel is the charity partner with SCC-RUNNING for the second year. Bethel , with its headquarters in Bielefeld , is the largest Protestant charity institution in Europe . Since 1867, Bethel has primarily been active in behalf of people with epilepsy and disabilities. The work of the v. Bodelschwingh Institute Bethel is presented within the framework of the events organised by SCC-RUNNING; a portion of the organisational fees goes to support the work for...

Making a decisive surge in the 36th kilometre, Ambesse Tolossa of Ethiopia won the Tokyo Marathon in 2:08:58. Tolossa, who was sixth in this race in 2003, came just two seconds short of his marathon personal best, a 2:08:56 from the 2004 Paris Marathon. In Paris, he also made his break at about the same point. “My plan was to stay with the leaders until 35Km and then make my move around 36Km,” Tolossa said.”I figure that everyone will be tired by then.”

Haile Gebrselassie, the four-times World and twice Olympic 10,000m champion, clinched a commanding win at the Mitja Marató de Granollers Half-Marathon on Sunday (5 February). ‘The Emperor,’ in his first outing since his World Record 58:55* over the Half-Marathon distance three weeks earlier, clocked 1:00:17 for a commanding win. Competing on an ideal day for distance running with temperatures in the 5º C (start) and 12º C (finish) range, the 32-year-old Ethiopian legend held off the challenge...

The BAA Boston Marathon, Flora London Marathon, real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and the ING New York City Marathon have officially launched the World Marathon Majors (WMM) on Monday. They also presented the idea of a new series to promote the sport of marathon – the World Marathon Major Series (WMM Series) at press conferences held in Boston and London on 23rd January. Participating in this interview were the race directors of the BAA Boston Marathon (Guy Morse), the Flora...

The world’s five premier international marathons—the Boston Marathon, the Flora London Marathon, the real,- Berlin-Marathon, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York City Marathon—have joined forces to collectively present the top echelon in the sport of marathon running. These five events now present themselves as the World Marathon Majors® (WMM).

Kenenisa Bekele with a last gasp sprint for the line thwarted the efforts of Saif Saaeed Shaheen to win the VisitScotland Great Edinburgh Cross Country title today. Bekele who has never lost a cross country race as a senior athlete and in the process has won four successive world long and short course title, underwent the biggest-ever test in his already illustrious career.

Haile Gebrselassie, four-times World and twice Olympic 10,000 metres champion, shattered the World Half Marathon record by 21 seconds at the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half-Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Gebrselassie clocked 58:55 minutes. In the process he also improved the 20km mark too.

Competing on a cool, crisp day - ideal for distance running - the diminutive Ethiopian shattered World records in the half-marathon and 20K.

Reigning World Cross Country long and short course champion Kenenisa Bekele will contest only one competition before competing at this year's Championships in March. That will be in tomorrow's VistScotland Great Edinburgh Cross Country where the Ethiopian superstar faces opposition just as formidable as he can expect to meet in Fukuoka. The 23-year-old African superstar who has chosen the Scottish race for his only winter cross country appearance, picked the Edinburgh event after missing it 12...

The online registration for the 33rd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON has started. Preparations for the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON are already in full progress. As usual the 33rd edition of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON will be staged on the final weekend of September (23rd and 24th).

Paula Radcliffe faces even more world class opposition when bidding to win a fourth Flora London Marathon title on April 23. Radcliffe the defending champion will face Kenya's Margaret Okayo who preceded her as title holder and Deena Kastor, the Olympic bronze medallist, when additions to the line-up were made today. Kastor continuing her Athens form won, last October's Chicago marathon although she was desperately hanging on in the final stages, before holding off Constantina Dita, the 2004...

Kenya’s reigning World Cross Country championships silver medallist Abraham Chebii and Spaniard Rosa Morató captured thrilling sprint victories at the 52nd Cross Internacional Zornotza - EAA Permit. Running in cloudy but pleasant conditions, seven men remained in the vanguard at the four kilometre point which was completed in a fast 11:53, but another 2:55 kilometre split by Kiprop was enough to leave all his rivals behind by the midway point except Chebii, with fellow Kenyan John Cheruiyot...

African 5000m champion Etalemu Kidane (Ethiopia) sprinted to her second successive victory at the Belfast International cross country meeting on the Stormont Estate this afternoon. Kidane, who won a thrilling race by millimetres 12 months ago, finished a relatively comfortable three metres clear of her compatriot, Deribe Alemu, this time with Ashu Kasim completing an Ethiopian 1-2-3 in the 5930 metres race after Ireland’s Mary Cullen had bravely led to halfway.

The interest for the upcoming Egmond Half Marathon this Sunday is overwhelming. The organization of Le Champion has prematurely closed the registration, because the limits of 10,000 half marathon runners and 2,000 quarter marathon runners have been reached weeks ago. The interest from abroad is eye-catching. Hundreds of runners from ample 20 countries are coming a (long) weekend to Egmond aan Zee to experience the unique atmosphere of this sports feast.

Germany’s big road running organiser SCC-RUNNING, who for example stages the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON and the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON, has had another record year. In 2005 a total of 140,450 athletes have registered for the 20 events held in Berlin. It was the first time SCC-RUNNING had more than 140,000 athletes within one year.

Dear readers, we wish you all the best for your running in 2006 and hope to welcome you again at our events in Berlin. For your motivation and inspiration we have put together some of the greatest running photos of the past year. This series begins with the New Year’s Day Run and ends with the New Year’s Eve Race. You will also find pictures of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON and of some international races. Pictures are from our photographer partners Camera 4 (Berlin) and Victor Sailer (New York)....

So often she had been in the centre of dramatic events in recent years. This time it was again Paula Radcliffe who was given a scare. Leading the New Year’s Eve Race in Madrid suddenly a spectator stepped into her way and accidentally sprayed a streamer right into her mouth. “It was not that bad, I am okay”, Paula Radcliffe later said. The English marathon world record holder continued the race straight away and ran to a convincing win.

4,010 runners participated in Germany’s largest New Year’s Day race at noon today at the Brandenburg Gate. Some in costumes, the runners enjoyed a 4 km course that lead down and back the boulevard Unter den Linden. The district mayor of Berlin Mitte-Tiergarten, Joachim Zeller, gave the starting shot for the 35th Berlin New Year’s Day Run, and then joined in himself. “I’m happy that so many runners have come together again to welcome in the new year in such an athletic way,“ Joachim Zeller said.