News & Releases >> 2004 >> May 31 2004
NEWS May 31 2004
Lioudmila Kortchaguina confirms Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon participation after impressive ING Ottawa victory
Following her impressive victory in the ING Ottawa Marathon in 2:30:53, Lioudmila Kortchaguina confirmed her participation in the flat, fast, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on September 26th. She also gave notice that she will be gunning for a fast time in T.O., after her strong clocking on what she described as a "tough" Ottawa course.
Other strong performances were recorded by defending Canada Running Series Champions, Nicole Stevenson and Mustafa Bennacer. Nicole battled a couple of rough patches to come home powerfully in 2:34:45—good enough for 3rd, and a sign that she is consistently making her mark as a top Canadian marathoner.
Even more remarkable was Mustafa's fabulous marathon debut of 2:12:04, that earned him second-place behind Kenyan Elly Rono. Both survived a collision and heavy fall at 32K, to get up and register the best times in a Canadian marathon in a decade.
Rono and Bennacer passed halfway in 1:05:36, in a pack of 8 runners. By 30K it was down to 4. The pace-setter and gentleman of the day was undoubtedly Guatemala's Alfredo Arevalo Reyes. Despite constantly pressing the pace and taking the initiative all morning, Reyes provided the most rewarding gesture of the day.
Following the horrendous collision and fall of Rono and Bennacer at 32K, that left both with cuts and bruises, the cheery Guatemalan visibly slowed up, then turned, waved and called to the 2 runners lying on the road, "Get up, come with me." Rono and Bennacer responded, and eventually dumped Reyes in the last mile—but the Guatemalan held on for 3rd place in 2:12:53. For his sportsmanship, he had the last smile of the day, his run earning him a place on his national team and a trip to the Olympic Marathon in Athens in August.
Hats off as well to Race Director Jim Robinson and his crew for a splendid day for Canadian Marathoning in the nation's capital.
You can also watch for Lioudmila (and have fun chasing her!) at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon on June 27th.