22 October 2008
Nairobi — Double Olympic marathon silver medallist Catherine Ndereba, Ethiopia's Gete Wami, and Irina Mikitenko of Germany will take part in the New York marathon on November 2.
All will be keen to wrap up the Sh36 million World Marathon Majors women's jackpot.
Already, Kenya's Martin Lel, the London marathon winner, has pocketed the men's prize of Sh36 million, succeeding compatriot Robert Cheruiyot, who won the inaugural round in the first 2006/2007 season.
The New York Marathon also gives Sh11 million prize to winners. Wami, the reigning WMM Series champion, and Mikitenko, both tied on 65 points, and Ndereba (41 points), are all in the hunt for the women's majors title.
Leg injury
Mikitenko won the Berlin marathon last month. Lel (76 points) clinched the men's crown with victories at the last two London marathons and New York marathon.
Only Cheruiyot (55 points) had a chance of overtaking Lel, but a nagging leg injury forced him to sit out the remainder of the season after he pulled out of Beijing Olympics.
Lel and the women's champion will be honoured at a special luncheon in New York on November 3, the day after the New York City marathon.
Ndereba can only win the series crown by winning in New York, and hoping that Wami does not finish in second place.
If that happens, Ndereba will will have 66 points and would beat Wami by a single point. A victory by Ndereba in New York will be her first in the city.
Olympic blues
A lack of communication from her coaches saw her settle for the silver medal in Beijing with Constantina Domescu of Romania stealing the show.
Ndereba and Wami will also face world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, who will also be eying to put behind he the Olympics blues.
Wami can wrap up the championship for the second consecutive year, regardless of what Ndereba or any other runner does, by finishing first or second in New York.
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