Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 12:00
Inverclyde represented in the big race
By Eric Baxter
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Robert Wilson of Glenpark Harriers.
INVERCLYDE runners will take part in one of the world’s greatest races on Sunday, among them Robert Wilson who is expected to post the top time by a local.
Members of Greenock Glenpark Harriers, Inverclyde Athletic Club and others will be among 35,000 in the Flora London Marathon, featuring many of the world’s best men and women over the 26.2 mile distance.
The women’s event was dealt a blow by the withdrawal of world record holder Paula Radcliffe through injury, but there should still be an exciting race.
Paula damaged a toe tendon in March — only five months before her bid to win marathon gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
She was aiming to take her fourth London title but hurt her right toe during altitude training in New Mexico.
She said: “I’m desperately disappointed. I love running in London and this race would have been the perfect test for me before the Olympic Games. But in marathon training there are no short cuts and there was simply not enough time to be in the shape I want to be in to run well in London. Now I must concentrate on being as well prepared as possible for Beijing.”
London Marathon race director David Bedford said: “It’s a major blow to lose Paula, but we understand her priority in 2008 is to be in peak condition for the Olympic Games and we wish her all the best for a speedy return to full fitness.”
The main London women are Berhane Adere (Ethiopia), Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania), Gete Wami (Ethiopia) and Russian Svetlana Zakharova.
Two of the world’s brightest new marathon stars have been added to Sunday’s men’s elite field.
World half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and US champion Ryan Hall join the World and Olympic marathon champions, Luke Kibet (Kenya) and Stefano Baldini of Italy as well as defending London champion, Martin Lel of Kenya.
Wanjiru and Hall both made sparkling marathon debuts in 2007 and have chosen London for their first major race of 2008 as they build up to the Olympics in August.
Bedford said. “We have assembled one of the best-ever fields for the race and the competition will be as fierce as ever, but I am sure Sammy and Ryan will be among the main contenders as the athletes approach the finish line on The Mall.”
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