Peter Njenga
3 August 2005
Helsinki, Finland — Kenyans have already hatched tactics for the women's marathon, said David Okeyo, the Athletics Kenya secretary general disclosed yesterday after being briefed by coach Dan Muchoki.
World champion Catherine Ndereba and Tecla Lorupe will play a vital role.
As a matter of fact, it would be a very sweet battle if it eventually waters down to Ndereba versus Paula Radcliffe. This would be the best in the world versus the fastest. A battle royal is certainily in the brewing.
Marathon races have never been like that, though as the orientals have shown the world.
Since the Prisons championships, little has been heard of Ndereba who shared the same international limelight as Paula Radcliffe in the middle of April this year.
Ndereba won in Boston, her four title, a week before Paula Radcliffe demolished some of the best women runners of her time in London including Susan Chepkemei who could not keep up with her awesome power.
Radcliffe has won many titles but not championship trophies, the only exception being are missing from her cabinet apart from at the world cross country title. Yet she is the world marathon record holder and has won in London and New York.
After a disappointing outing at the Athens Olympics, Helsinki should be her defining moment. At least that is what the of her career and pundits are thinking about her career.
Only now that she has to contend with Ndereba, the defending champion whose thirst and appetite for victory appears insatiable.
Ndereba's strength lies in her ability reserve to soak-up the pressure before destroying her rivals in the final moments of the race. The tears usually seen coursing their way down Ndereba's face on the winners' podium perhaps tell a story of their own and about this woman of iron will.
This happened in spot which will always wash down in tears on top of winners rostrums like in Paris two years ago.
In Athens when Radcliffe withdrew from the race, Ndereba appeared on course for the gold until she miscalculated the battle plan of Japanese Mizuki Noguchi. whom she had beaten to second in Paris.
Lorupe is an old hand in this game especially if she will play the role of a pace maker as her younger compatriots have the staying stamina to withstand the British and Japanese challenge.
Noguchi will be assisted by Mari Ozaki, the fastest Japanese this year. Mari finished second in Osaka while another of the Japanese, Yumiko Hara, won in Nagoya.
Deena Kastor of the United States, a bronze medallist in Athens is missing. In her place is Jenny Crain, Emily Levan, Turena Johnson-Laner, Jill Broaz and Mary Akor.
As usual athletes from Asia who train for championships with an intensity not seen in those who favour city races, will bring with them their usual mystic ways.
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