Friday 30^th September 2005

Athletes to run Half Marathon in Canada tomorrow

Ethiopian athletes are among those competing tomorrow in the 14^th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in William Hawrelak Park in Edmonton, Canada, in what forecasters are predicting will be very cold conditions, with temperatures only a few degrees above freezing. The BBC will carry the feed of the 21 kilometre race, in which a total of 200 men and women from 57 countries will be competing for US $245,000 in prize money, to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

African athletes are the favourites for the race, among which Ethiopia will be well represented.

Of the strongest contenders in the Men’s competition, are 10,000 metres Olympic silver medalist Sileshi Sihine, Abebe Dinkessa and Soloman Tsige, while former world and Olympic 10,000 metres champion Derartu Tulu is among the favourites in the Women’s race.

ENDS