Lucas Nonyana (RSA) after his victory at the IAU 50km Trophy Final in Gibraltar (© Nadeem Khan)
South African Lucas Nonyana the defending men’s champion, and Dutchwoman Irene Kalter are the favourites at Sunday’s (29) 2nd IAU 50km World Trophy Final in Galway, Ireland.
The City of Galway is situated on the west coast of Ireland and is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. It is a short two hour drive from Dublin and is known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart.
There were 13 selection races held from Canada and Argentina to Japan and Australia to select athletes for the World Trophy Final. The criteria for selection included a sub 3:20 (men) and sub 3:50 (women) run. The winners of the series races were automatically selected and following the preliminary selections the fastest finishers were invited until the selection pool was filled. In addition a few runners had invitations extended on the basis of their marathon times.
In this men’s field, Lucas Nonyana (RSA), last year’s winner returns to defend his title. However, Nonyana’s training partner, Joseph Mphuthi (RSA) leads the men’s field with a qualification time of 2:50:09. He is followed by Collen Makaza (ZIM) in 2:50:45 and Sandile Ngunuzza (RSA) with 2:53:14.
In the women’s field, last year’s winner Kami Semick is not present at this year’s championship. Irene Kalter (NED) leads the women’s qualifiers with 3:32:54. She is followed by Helen Taranowski (GBR) in 3:35:54 and Paola Sanna with 3:35:56.
The race is organized on two Half Marathon loops followed by four short loops around the centre of the city to complete the 50km. The course is undulating but with lengthy flat sections. The most challenging part of the course is a hill present at 13km (and again at 34km) that is a kilometre long.
With the top seven male runners having run under three hours and another top seven women run under 3:40, this race promises to be an exciting one.
In addition to the 50km World Trophy Final, the race organizers are also running an Open 50km event and the inaugural marathon.
The IAU will be running Live Updates on their website: ww.iau-ultramarathon.org
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
Top Men:
1) Joseph Mphuthi RSA 2:50:09
2) Collen Makaza ZIM 2:50:45
3) Sandile Ngunuzza RSA 2:53:14
4) Peter Muthubi RSA 2:53:51
5) Michael Wardian USA 2:55:50
Top Women:
1) Irene Kalter NED 3:32:54
2) Helen Taranowski GBR 3:35:54
3) Paola Sanna ITA 3:35:56
4) Monica Carlin ITA 3:37:10
5) Mary Coordt USA 3:38:00
The City of Galway is situated on the west coast of Ireland and is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. It is a short two hour drive from Dublin and is known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart.
There were 13 selection races held from Canada and Argentina to Japan and Australia to select athletes for the World Trophy Final. The criteria for selection included a sub 3:20 (men) and sub 3:50 (women) run. The winners of the series races were automatically selected and following the preliminary selections the fastest finishers were invited until the selection pool was filled. In addition a few runners had invitations extended on the basis of their marathon times.
In this men’s field, Lucas Nonyana (RSA), last year’s winner returns to defend his title. However, Nonyana’s training partner, Joseph Mphuthi (RSA) leads the men’s field with a qualification time of 2:50:09. He is followed by Collen Makaza (ZIM) in 2:50:45 and Sandile Ngunuzza (RSA) with 2:53:14.
In the women’s field, last year’s winner Kami Semick is not present at this year’s championship. Irene Kalter (NED) leads the women’s qualifiers with 3:32:54. She is followed by Helen Taranowski (GBR) in 3:35:54 and Paola Sanna with 3:35:56.
The race is organized on two Half Marathon loops followed by four short loops around the centre of the city to complete the 50km. The course is undulating but with lengthy flat sections. The most challenging part of the course is a hill present at 13km (and again at 34km) that is a kilometre long.
With the top seven male runners having run under three hours and another top seven women run under 3:40, this race promises to be an exciting one.
In addition to the 50km World Trophy Final, the race organizers are also running an Open 50km event and the inaugural marathon.
The IAU will be running Live Updates on their website: ww.iau-ultramarathon.org
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
Top Men:
1) Joseph Mphuthi RSA 2:50:09
2) Collen Makaza ZIM 2:50:45
3) Sandile Ngunuzza RSA 2:53:14
4) Peter Muthubi RSA 2:53:51
5) Michael Wardian USA 2:55:50
Top Women:
1) Irene Kalter NED 3:32:54
2) Helen Taranowski GBR 3:35:54
3) Paola Sanna ITA 3:35:56
4) Monica Carlin ITA 3:37:10
5) Mary Coordt USA 3:38:00
