26 October 2007 – Venice, Italy - Last year’s Venice Marathon winners Jonathan Kipkorir Kosgei and Lenah Cheruiyot will return to the northern Italian city looking for a back to back win in the 22nd edition of one of the most popular Italian 42.195 km races.

Kipkorir Kosgei leads the men’s field...

Favourite in the men’s race will be Jonathan Kipkorir Kosgei who won last year holding off Italian Alberico Di Cecco by just three seconds in a dramatic finish. Kosgei lowered his lifetime best from 2:10:49 to 2:10:18. In 2007 Kosgei finished third in the Rome Marathon in 2:10:25 last March.

Boaz Kimaiyo, winner of the Frankfurt Marathon in 2003 and 2004, Philemon Kirwa Tarbei, first in the 2007 Turin Marathon and 2007 Treviso Marathon winner Benjamin Pseret lead the challenge to Kosgei’s attempt to confirm last year’s title.

Italian hopes are carried by Danilo Goffi and Giacomo Leone, two runners who contributed to the solid reputation of Italian marathon racing in the 1990s.

Back in 1995 Goffi and Leone, then two young rising stars of long distance running, thrilled the Venice crowd with a fascinating battle. Goffi took the win in 2:09:26 in his debut over the Marathon distance to Leone’s 2:09:34.

One year later Leone went on to take the honours surprisingly at the New York City Marathon. Goffi collected his major honour in 1998 when he claimed the European silver medal in Budapest behind future olympic champion Stefano Baldini.

“Venice has always been a lucky race for me. I return with great enthusiasm to Venice,” said Goffi, father of three-year-old Gabriele.

Leone also has a good memory of his past experience in Venice. “Although many years have passed, I remember every section of the course. Venice has a fascinating course which makes the effort easier,” said Leone, a policeman from Francavilla Fontana in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Leone was a former Italian Marathon record holder with 2:07:52 set in Otsu in 2001.

... and Cheruyiot leads the women

As in the men’s race the women’s competition features 2006 winner Cheruiyot who crossed the finish-line in 2:33:44 over the difficult Venice course beating former Marathon record holder Tegla Loroupe and Italian Ivana Iozzia.

Cheruyiot returned last year to Venice after some health problems and two maternity leaves with a 2:33:44 PB which she improved later in Rome where she finished fourth in 2:29:31.

Kenyans Mary Ptikany (2:29:45 set in Frankfurt 2005), Anne Kosgei (second in Venice in 2002 and winner in Trieste in 2007) and Russia’s Lidya Vasilevsaya (PB 2:29:24) are the other promininent names in the field.

Ivana Iozzia, national champion in 2005, is the strongest Italian runner in the field. Iozzia is a former volleyball player who started running by chance seven years ago when she won a prize trip to take part in the New York Marathon.

“I have a wonderful memory of the Venice Marathon not only because of the course but also for the strong support from the crowd along the course”, said Iozzia.

This year’s Venice Marathon Trofeo Casinò di Venezia has attracted 6500 entrants. The main change to the course is the removal of  thirteen bends inside the San Giuliano Park, a vast green area located on the edge of the lagoon between Mestre and Venice.