AFP
10 June 2000 – New York - Tegla Loroupe, the marathon world best performer, woke up with a headache and then had to overcome hot and humid conditions to win the 10k New York Mini Marathon for a record equalling fifth time.
Despite these hurdles, the 27-year-old Kenyan quickly raced away from the 3,140 strong field, which included her sister Emily, 21, who finished 20th, to win in 31:37. Another sister, Gladys, 18, was a spectator.
Catherine Ndereba, 27, also from Kenya, was second in 32:22 with 1996 Olympic marathon gold medallist Fatuma Roba, 26, of Ethiopia, third in 32:25.
"It was very hot and not good to run," said Loroupe. "I woke up with a headache, which, I think, was caused by the weather."
The race began about 9 a.m. in 78 degrees and 67 percent humidity, but this did not stop the Kenyan from trying to beat the race record of 31 minutes flat, set in 1980 by Norway's Grete Waitz, who also won the event five times.
Loroupe said her runaway victory had given her confidence for the Sydney Olympics where she also plans to run in the 10,000m.
"The win has also given me a lot of confidence for the 10,000m, but the marathon is my priority," she said, adding that the Olympic trials in Nairobi will decide whether she competes in the 10,000m.
Loroupe admitted she could have won by a larger margin, but said she did not want "to take advantage of the other runners, I wanted to support them."
She also did not want to give any extra incentive to Roba when they meet in the marathon for the first time in Sydney. "I'm looking forward to it," was all Loroupe would say.
Roba was also guarded about Loroupe saying, "We're from the same continent and we will be happy to run against each other."
The Ethiopian said the mini marathon had given her a chance to work on her speed for the marathon and that she was pleased with her strong finish.
Derartu Tulu, 28, of Ethiopia, the 1992 Olympic 10,000m gold medallist, finished sixth in 33:04.
The Kenyans dominated the race, filling seven of the first 13 places.
American Anne Marie Lauck, 31, a marathon and 10,000m hopeful for the Sydney Games could not handle the warm conditions and finished ninth in 34:11.
"There were two hots out there. Tegla was hot and the weather was hot," said Lauck. "I didn't feel good, I just had a really bad race. I feel fatigued, I feel heavy and I had trouble with my breathing."
Lauck said she hoped to regroup for the Olympic trials in Sacramento.
