Paul Tergat (KEN) (© Getty Images)
Paul Tergat and Catherine Ndereba will lead their country's challenge, as Kenya's elite duo take on their Ethiopian counterparts in the TOTAL Great Ethiopian Run 2003, in Meskel Square at the heart of the Ethiopian capital on Sunday (30 Nov).
The event is one of the largest road races in Africa with an estimated 18,000 people due to turn up for this the third edition of the event, which has seen its popularity - and the general attitude towards road racing in Ethiopia - soar since its inception in 2001.
Tergat in the Kenyan vanguard
There will be no battle with either Haile Gebrselassie or Kenenisa Bekele the premier jewels of Ethiopia’s distance running elite, for Tergat and his Kenyan teammates but all the same they will still face stiff local opposition in the race. In Gebregziabher Gebremariam, Sileshi Sihine, Abebe Tinkessa, and Dejene Berhanu, Ethiopia can claim to have found the added ingredients for the recipe that they hope will dominate long distance running in the coming years.
World 10,000m Bronze medallist Sileshi Sihine will start as the slight favourite after showing impressive form in the months leading up to this race. The Sheno-born track star won gold medals at the 10,000m in the All-African Games in Abuja and at the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad, India. Sihine finished second last year in the Great Ethiopian Run and hopes to go one better this time around. While defending champion Gebremariam will be looking to retain the title he won last year against all expectations by defeating Kenenisa Bekele and Sileshi Sihine.
As well as the 34-year old Tergat, there are younger Kenyan runners eager to show their abilities against Ethiopia too. The challenge will be lead by Luke Kipkosgei, World Indoor Championships 3000m Bronze medallist, along with 26-year old Christopher Cheboibok, who took third place at the New York City Marathon held four weeks ago. The other notable athletes in the Kenyan men's team include Martin Keino and Paul Koech.
Ndereba to lead Kenyan challenge against Adere's squad
In the women's race, Kenya’s chances perhaps will be even stronger with World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba leading the challenge against Ethiopia's distance runners, who will be led by World 10,000m gold and silver medallists Berhane Adere and Werkinesh Kidane.
Ndereba finished second in the New York City Marathon four weeks ago behind fellow countrywoman Margaret Okayo, and will use the TOTAL Great Ethiopian Run 2003 as part of her long term build up to the Athens Olympic Marathon next year.
Also taking part for Kenya will be twice London Marathon winner Joyce Chepchumba and the former fastest ever Half Marathon runner Susan Chepkemei, and if the Kenyan's ever needed youth to accompany their wealth of experience, then Eunice Jepkorir will be sufficiently guided under the tutelage of this illustrious triumvirate.
Also running in Addis Ababa will be Kenyan-born Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat, the athlete who finished fourth in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Paris, and third in the recent New York Marathon.
The challenge for Ethiopia will be led by Adere.The 30-year old Shewa-born runner is in fine form having broken the 10km stage record and most significantly beaten Britain's Paula Radcliffe at last Monday's Chiba Ekiden relay in Japan. Adere won the inaugural Great Ethiopian race two years ago and will be looking to repeat that feat again this year.
The Kenyans will also have to face Werkinesh Kidane. The 21-year old finished behind Adere in Paris, and as defending champion will start as one of the favourites. Memories are still fresh of how the gutsy and determined Kidane successfully fought China's Sun Yingjie for silver in Paris.
Watch out also for another inform athlete in Ejigayehou Dibaba, an athlete who has hit top form at the right time with wins in the All-African Games (Abuja) and Afro-Asian Games (Hydrabad).
Last year's Bronze medalist Eyerusalem Kuma completes the Ethiopian line-up for this year's event.
