THE STANDARD REPORTSTwo-time world marathon champion, Catherine Ndereba will be among three female distance running titans duelling in the women’s race of New York Half Marathon on August 16.
Ndereba who opted not to defend her 2007 world title in Berlin will challenge three-time world half champion and Kenyan born Dutch runner, Lornah Kiplagat as well as American Deena Kastor, the 2004 Olympics bronze winner.
The enticing line-up was announced on Tuesday by New York Road Runners (NYRR) president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
Inaugural race
Ndereba, who turn 37 next week (July 21) will be seeking her third NYC Half-Marathon title, after winning the inaugural race in 2006 and reclaiming the title last year.
She will return to New York after finishing fourth at the NYRR New York Mini 10K in June.
"It is always very exciting to be back in New York, and I love the course of the NYC Half-Marathon," said Ndereba. "New York Road Runners always hosts us so well, and the competition is always the best. I am looking forward to a great competition running against Deena and Lornah. It is always my great pleasure to run against the best ladies," she told organisers.
Knee injury
It will be only the fourth time in their illustrious careers that the trio will race against one another and the first showdown since the ING New York City Marathon 2006.
American marathon record-holder and three-time Olympian Kastor, 36, will make her first return to New York since she could not compete in the NYRR New York Mini 10K in June due to inflammation in the same foot she broke during Olympics marathon in Beijing.
Kiplagat, 35, is coming back from a knee injury that has sidelined her since the World’s Best 10K in Puerto Rico on March 1 and also forced her out of the NYRR New York Mini 10K.
This year’s NYRR New York Mini 10K champion Rose Kosgei, 28 and Jelegat Kigen, 29, will also compete.
The Half-Marathon will take runners on a loop through Central Park, down Seventh Avenue through Times Square and across 42nd Street.
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