Torhout, Belgium - The 23rd IAU 100 km World Cup & European Championships will take place tomorrow 19 June in Torhout. Giorgio Calcaterra (ITA) is back to defend the men’s title he won in Tarquinia at the 22nd edition of this race. In the women’s field, last year’s winner Tatyana Zhrikova (RUS) is absent, and so Kami Semick (USA) last year’s silver medal winner is the top retuning runner.This small Belgian city of Torhout is in the province of West Flanders about an hour and a half from Brussels. The race is taking place at the Race of the Flanders which was first organised in 1980. This race has had the honour of hosting the IAU 100 km World Cup on four separate occasions.
The event brings together the town of Torhout, along with the neighbouring villages. The race is run on a five loop course around Torhout and the neighbouring village of Lichtervelde. In addition to the ultra distance, there is also a Marathon and 10km race being contested.
Giorgio Calcaterra (ITA) (pictured at Swiss Alpine 2006), last year’s men’s winner, is back to defend his crown. Calcaterra has had an outstanding season, recently winning the 100km Del Pasatore in Italy. Jaroslav Janicki (POL), last year’s silver medal is absent. However, Miguel Angel Jiminez (ESP) third place winner in Tarquinia has returned hoping to improve his standings.
In the women’s race, last year’s winner Tatyana Zhirkova (RUS) is absent, and Kami Semick (USA), the silver medal winner in 2008 will be hoping to take top honours. Kami has won several races this year, including the 50km US Championship. Monica Carlin (ITA), third place in Tarquinia, has also returned looking to give good competition to the several other top women in the field.
The race is scheduled to start at 2000 hrs (Belgium Time) on June 19th 2009 and promises to be an exciting event with Top 5 men all under 7hr and Top 5 women under 7h 45mins.
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
Top runners in the Men’s field include (based on 2007-2009 performances):
1) Giorgio Calcaterra (ITA) 6:37:41
2) Masakazu Takashi (JPN) 6:42:05
3) Pascal Fetizon (FRA) 6:47:10
4) Howard Nippert (USA) 6:49:31
5) Marco Boffo (ITA) 6:51:36
Top runners in the women’s field include (based on 2007-2009 performances):
1) Hiroko Sho (JPN) 7:23:50
2) Irina Vishnevskaya (RUS) 7:33:16
3) Kami Semick (USA) 7:33:58
4) Monica Carlin (ITA) 7:35:38
5) Magali Reymonenq (FRA) 7:42:10
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