The Global Telegraph - February 2005

FEBRUARY 2005 - VOL. 5, N. 2 (N. 43)

Publisher: Run The Planet., Seattle (Usa/Washington). Editor: Indro Neri. Associate editor: Jennifer Walker. All correspondence and suggestions are welcome. Unsolicited articles will be considered. To advertise on "The Global Telegraph", contribute to or reproduce its content please contact us via e-mail at info@runtheplanet.com. "The Global Telegraph" is published 12 times a year. The next issue will close the last day of this month. © by Run The Planet Inc., Seattle.

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This month we feature running news from: Canada, Cyprus, India, Kentucky (Usa), New York (Usa), Russia, Tanzania.  

FEATURED WORLDWIDE RUNNING NEWS

• INDIA / Julius Sugut wins in Mumbai
Julius Sugut of Kenya took the men's title, as marathon runners from 25 nations lived up to the "Spirit of Mumbai" slogan in the second "Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon" held on January 16. Mulu Seboka of Ethiopia took the top spot in the women's division of the marathon race, while Kenyan Tegla Loroupe won the half marathon. Indian men swept the first three places in the men's half distance. Kenyan pace-setters Michael Kemboi, Erik Kiplagat and Simon Tanui were the front runners at the beginning of the race from the historic Victoria Terminus (now renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus). Tanui ran the first half very well with lead times of 45:16 for 14.1km at Queen's Neclace in Marine Drive, and 74:04 for 23.3km turning point at Bandra Reclamation. Tanzanian Christopher Isegwe was caught up with the leader at this point. The race matched the increasing temperatures turning hot as it reached the 25km point. Here the Ethiopian Gashaw Malese put in a kick but it was not enough and five kilometres (30km) later Julius Sugut overtook him. Sugut, runner-up at last year's race at Mumbai, was timed at 1:42:13 at 32.5km mark had made the decisive move of the race to which no one could respond. Sugut arrived at the finish line at the historic Azad Maidan in 2:13:20. Isegwe (2:13:29) and Malese (2:13:59) finished behind Sugut in that order. Incidentally Sugut's time is the second fastest mark set on a certified course anywhere on Indian soil. Among the women, Kenyan Pauline Wangui was the early leader. Ethiopian Leila Aman, who placed fifth in last year's "Berlin Marathon", went past Wangui at the turning point in 23.3km (1:24:54), closely followed by compatriot Mulu Seboka and Russian Madina. Seboka was struggling at 30km and Aman took advantage of her opponent's weakness to break away from the bunch to lead the event for the next 5 kilometers. But Seboka, 21-years-old, did not give up and maintained her pace till she bravely caught the leader in the final part of the race. At the end she was a clear winner with a personal best timing of 2:35:03, well ahead of compatriot Aman (2:36:19) and Russian Irina Timofeyeva (2:36:42). The Mumbai marathon is now an integral part of the Standard Chartered four elite marathons with Nairobi, Singapore and Hong Kong. The success of Mumbai has also motivated a number other Indian cities to promote their own marathons with Bangalore going to have its first International race on April 24, while Hyderabad is yet to finalise a date. If this trend continues, India will sooner become an important destination for marathoners from all over the world. Source: www.arrs.net

• RUSSIA / Winter Meeting in the Vladimir Kuts arena
On January 23 in Moscow, the Russian Winter Meeting held an exciting men's 3000m in the Vladimir Kuts indoor arena. Although middle-distance star Vyacheslav Shabunin overtook leader Pavel Shapovalov with four laps remaining, Shapovalov eventually reclaimed the lead during a personal best 7:51:61 to 7:52.88 victory in front of Shabunin. Pavel Naumov placed third in 7:55.30. Reprinted with permission from "Running Stats" (www.runningstats.com)

• CANADA / State-of-the-art interactive course map
Organizers of the National Capital Race Weekend today launched the most sophisticated interactive course map ever designed, allowing runners to prepare race-day strategies with customized course maps. The web feature puts a new spin on traditional course maps, allowing runners a different view of the routes for the "Ottawa Marathon", "Nordion 10k" or any of the other seven races of the event, held on May 28-29 2005. Unlike the course maps provided by most international races, this new tool allows runners to customize their marathon course map, choosing from a list of features such as kilometre markers, elevation charts and the locations of water stations, medical stations and even entertainment stations. As well, runners can watch a three-minute video of the course while a synchronized animated marker takes them through the course map. National Capital Race Weekend President Susan Longbottom says this the goal of this new tool is to anticipate the needs of runners and provide a service to race participants. "Whether they're running for thirty minutes or six hours - runners need to be able to plan their race - when to take water, when to take it easy and when to really push yourself" says Longbottom. "The more information a runner has about the course the better equipped they are to plan for a great finishing time. We want all of our runners to have the information they need to run their personal best in Ottawa next May". For 76Design Vice President Brett Tackaberry creating the interactive map was about using the latest web technology in an innovative way for a booming sports market. "Interaction has long been the promise of technology. But to date it's really only had great success in imparting information… until now" says Tackaberry. "We have created a way for runners to experience the race course virtually. It is the first running organization to use technology to create a truly interactive experience for runners - before the race. Now a runner in Dallas training for the Ottawa Marathon won't have to wait until he gets here next May to see the route he's going to run. We've brought the race to the runners as they can actually experience the course without even lacing up their running shoes". The out-of-town runner can also get a look at the city who will host this world-class event. The map highlights 25 of Ottawa's most scenic and historic tourism spots - all of them on the Ottawa Marathon route. Information about hotels and the annual Sport and Fitness Expo also provide an opportunity for international visitors to get to know the city as well as the race. Use the map at www.ncm.ca/course-en.html?page=course&page_id=9&lang_id=1

• TANZANIA / Dickson Marwa wins the Babati Half Marathon
On January 2 the Babati Half Marathon had Dickson Marwa first in 62:52, with Faustin Baha second in 63:02, Samwel Kwaangw third in 63:03, Hussein Ramadhani fourth in 63:16 and Rogart John fifth in 63:22. Zaituni Jumanane was first woman in 75:50, with Jackline Sakilu second in 76:12, Sarah Ramadhani third in 76:17, and Janeth John fourth in 77:33. Reprinted with permission from "Running Stats" (www.runningstats.com)

• CANADA / The world's coldest and toughest ultramarathon
From February 14 to 22, 2005 the "Yukon Arctic Ultra" will take place for the third time. The start of the world's coldest and toughest ultra will take place one day after the "Yukon Quest", the 1000 mile sled dog race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks. The athletes will start from the same place as the mushers and their dogs and follow the same trail. Apart from the 100 and 300 mile distance once again there will be a marathon. In order to grow without compromising on safety, the organisation has limited the number of entries for the ultra distances to 35 athletes each. Again it will be an international field of runners. As in 2003 and 2004 more than 10 different nations are expected to make it to the Yukon to face this challenge of a lifetime. Out there in the Yukon wilderness everyone faces the same conditions, conditions that can chance very quickly. It may be minus 10 degrees one day and minus 35 degrees the next. Athletes can race for a couple of days without seeing anybody except race staff and wolves. The vastness of the Arctic and the long cold nights not only demand physical but also mental strength. There is a 2 day training course immediately prior to the race that is mandatory for all ultra athletes who do not have sufficient cold weather experience. For more information visit www.arcticultra.de.

• CYPRUS / A race in the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty
The "Ultra Sports Pafos Marathon" is an event that has grown bigger and better over the years (500 participants in the 2004 race) and it is now recognized as the major road race in Cyprus. Runners from all over Europe annually leave the northern winters behind and gather at Pafos to enjoy the company of like-minded people and race against a varied field of competitors. The event, which will be held on Sunday March 6, incorporates three different distances: marathon, half marathon and a 10 kilometers road race. The start for the half marathon and 10k is at the Pafos Mediaeval Fort square nearby the world famous Pafos fishing harbour. The marathon will start from Petra tou Romiou (birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty). All three events finish at the Pafos Mediaeval Fort square. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou ("The Rock of the Greek") is associated with the legendary frontier-guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship. There will be many activities and entertainments suitable for the whole family such as a musical programme by the Pafos Municipality Band, and Greek and Cypriot folk dance. More details online at www.ultrasportspafosmarathon.com.

• NEW YORK (USA) / Fred Lebow biography now available
A biography on "New York City Marathon" founder Fred Lebow is now on sale to the general public. "Anything for a T-Shirt: Fred Lebow and the New York City Marathon, the World's Greatest Footrace", published by Syracuse University Press, tells the story of the humbly born Holocaust survivor, who ran the "New York City Marathon" for the first time in 1992 as a cancer patient committed to showing the world how running was helping him win his battle against the dread disease. Almost three years after he had been told he had only three-to-six months to live because of a tennis-ball-sized tumor in his brain, he ran the marathon wearing bib number 60 to reflect his age. He was accompanied by running-great Grete Waitz, wearing number 39. Lebow ran the race to fulfill a deathbed promise he had made to himself and to bring hope to others. The release of the book coincides with the tenth anniversary of Lebow's death. The book is written by Ron Rubin, a professor of political science at the Borough of Manhattan Community College/City University of New York. For more on the book, including information on how to order, visit www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/fall-2004-catalog/anything-tshirt.html. Source: www.splittimes.com

• ARTICLES ON RUNNING AND PHILOSOPHY WANTED
Kentucky (Usa) - Michael W. Austin is currently in discussion with Open Court Press, the publisher of "The Simpsons and Philosophy", "The Matrix and Philosophy", and "The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy", regarding the inclusion of a collection of philosophical essays entitled "Running and Philosophy" in the highly successful Popular Culture and Philosophy series, and is looking for articles. Essays should be philosophically substantive but humorous, accessible, and engaging. Potential contributors may wish to examine other volumes in the Popular Culture and Philosophy series. Possible topics and issues might include, but are not limited to, the following: Aristotle, running, and human flourishing; self-actualization/meaning of life; Stoicism and Running: Mind Over Matter; Zen of Running; Marx and the Commodification of Running (high priced running shoes and gear); Nietzsche: Self-Overcoming, Sublimation, and the Will to Power; The Race for the Cure: Feminist Ethics/Activism; Competition: Racing against Others or Oneself?; Nature vs. Technology: The Evils of Treadmills; The Mind-Body Problem: Running in Your Head; Family and Friendship: Jogging Strollers and Running Buddies; The American Ethos of Running: Pragmatism?; Running or Jogging: Whats in a Name?; running and success in life; running as therapy; running and adversity/character development; discussions of George Sheehans writings; ultrarunning; running and hedonism; thoughts on philosophy and running from a non-runner. More information at www.philosophy.eku.edu/Austin/runningandphilosophy.html.