Emily Chebet takes down the course record at the Freihofer's Run for Women 5K in Albany (© Steve Jacobs / www.sjpics.com)
- The Freihofer's Run for Women, the only 5km road race in the world to hold an IAAF Silver Label, has confirmed that Emily Chebet will return to New York's capital city on Saturday, 4 June to defend her 5km title.
The Kenyan who shaved six seconds off the previous best time of 15:18 set by Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui in 2005, the largest in the history of the race, is expected to be a front runner once the air horn sounds.
Chebet, winner of last year's IAAF World Cross Country title, will be joined in the lead pack by Aheza Kiros (Ethiopia), who last month cruised to victory at the speedy Carlsbad 5000 (15:12), Mamitu Daska (Ethiopia), winner of the 2011 Houston Marathon (2:26.33) and runner-up at the 2009 Freihofer's (15:30), and, Misiker Mekkonin (Ethiopia), 1st Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K.
Kiros, Daska and Mekkonin will battle the field with countrywomen Tigist Tufa, who has been running with consistency this year, and placed 3rd at the 2011 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, Meseret Mengistu, 8th 2011 Rome Marathon, and, Alemtsehay Misganaw, 1st 2011 Shamrock 8K.
Benita Willis, who earned three Freihofer's titles between 2006 and 2008 - only the third woman to accomplish that feat - is expected to set the pace. The three-time Australian Olympian (2008 Marathon, 2004 10,000m, 2000 5000m) and 2004 World Cross Country champion knows the course better than any anyone (http://www.timesunion.com/freihofersmap/) and this inside knowledge — coupled with her blistering track speed (14:47 5000m) — could help vault her from 7th place in 2010 back to a podium spot.
Willis won't be the only competitor with Olympic credentials. Decorated Mexican Olympian Dulce Maria Rodriguez (2008 10,000m, 2004 5000m, 2000 5000m) has also signalled her intention to compete, as has Burundi's Diane Nukuri Johnson (2000 5000m), who crossed the line first at the 2011 Marion Arts Festival and finished 4th at the 2011 LA Marathon.
South African sensation, Irvette Van Blerk, 23, who successfully defended her nation's 10km title in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, will be another newcomer hoping to pocket the $10,000 winner's check. The two-time World Cross Country Championship team member, who will be competing in her first 5km on U.S. soil, has been making a name for herself since she was 14 years old, when she finished second in a senior 10km in Durban.
Organisers for the IAAF
