Defar heads elite field for Women’s 5k Challenge
Meseret Defar returns to London to defend her title at the adidas Women’s 5km Challenge in Hyde Park this Sunday (7th September), when she heads an elite field that includes some of the best women’s distance runners in the world.
The Ethiopian, who holds the unofficial world record for 5km on the road, will be seeking a morale booster after finishing a disappointing third in the Olympic 5,000m final in Beijing last month, won by her compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
After tasting victory in 2007, Defar aims to further extend Ethiopia’s winning streak in this women-only mass participation event following Berhane Adere’s triumph in 2006. The course record of 14:51 currently stands to Paula Radcliffe and Defar, who has a best of 14:16:63 from 2007, has that time in her sights this year. In 2007 she clocked 15:08 to beat Benita Johnson of Australia.
“I enjoyed winning the Women’s 5km Challenge last year and am hoping for another victory this time,” said Defar. “It is an important event for me after all the hard work in Beijing. I know it won’t be easy, but I hope to break the course record. I’m also looking forward to running with so many other women.”
About 15,000 are expected to turn up for the race which has been run in London’s Hyde Park every September for the last ten years. Not many will see Defar though as they run, jog and walk their way around the perimeter of the capital’s most famous park, raising money for dozens of charities and celebrity-spotting as they go.
“We are delighted to have such a high quality elite field for this year’s race,” said David Bedford, race director of the Flora London Marathon which organises the event. “This is one of the best line-ups we have ever put together.
“But we are also pleased that so many women have once again signed up to take part in this special race – a fun day that’s also a celebration of women’s running.”
Defar will take some beating. Her PB on the track of 14:12.88 was set just six weeks ago in Stockholm and is the second fastest time ever.
But the favourite won’t have it all her own way. The 24-year-old will again be challenged by Britain’s Jo Pavey, who finished third behind her last year, plus Lucy Wangui Kabuu, reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000 champion enjoying a return to form, Vivian Cheruiyot and Linet Masai, all from Kenya.
Linet Masai will also be a threat. The 18-year-old finished just out of the medals in the Beijing 10,000m final but smashed the world junior and Kenyan records in the process. Cheruiyot is also in fine form after finishing fifth in the Olympic 5,000m final.
Pavey leads the British challenge, as she did last year. After breaking her 10,000m PB in the Olympic 10,000m final the 34-year-old will be hoping to put up a good showing against the Africans on home soil.
Katrina Wootton joins Pavey to fly the flag for Britain, while Victoria Mitchell makes the long trip from Australia to take on the world’s best.
David Bedford also said “We are also extremely honoured to have the Olympic Women’s Marathon Champion, Constantina Tomescu Dita, joining the start party to set off the runners and also take part”.
Constantina will be running alongside Olympic Silver medalist at Modern Pentathlon, Heather Fell.
Simultaneously, races will be starting at 11am in Sefton Park in Liverpool, and at the slightly earlier time of 10.30am in Birmingham City Centre.
BBC London 94.9 FM will be broadcasting live on radio from Hyde Park with presenters Lesley Joseph and Christopher Biggins. Lesley will also be joining the start party to cheer runners as they cross the start line.
Two Olympic Gold medalists will set off the 15,000 women at 11am on Sunday, as Christine Ohuruogu, champion over 400 meters in Beijing, is a very welcome addition to the VIP start party.
Liz Yelling, who was sixth in this event last year has withdrawn due to injuries sustained in the marathon in Beijing, but will be supporting the event on the day and available for interview, as will Jessica Ennis and Goldie Sayers.
The list of elite athletes in London
| Meseret Defar | ETH | 14:16:63 |
| Vivian Cheruiyot | KEN | 14:22:51 |
| Lucy Wangui Kabuu | KEN | 14:33:49 |
| Jo Pavey | GBR | 14:39:76 |
| Linet Masai | KEN | 14:47:14 |
| Victoria Mitchell | AUS | 15:36:15 |
| Katrina Wootton | GBR | 15:42:12 |
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