Craig Mottram on his way to the win in the 2006 Healthy Kidney 10km in New York (© Courtesy New York Road Runners)
Central Park will be the stage for a showdown on Saturday 19 May between double World Cup 3000m winner Craig Mottram of Australia and Americans Dathan Ritzenhein and Khalid Khannouchi, the former holder of the World record (at the time 'World best' *), in the Healthy Kidney 10K.
Mottram has all but owned Central Park the past few years with back-to-back victories in the first two editions of the race. However, the 10km distance gives marathoners Ritzenhein and Khannouchi a fair shot at challenging Mottram for the title.
Mottram, 26, the World Championship bronze medallist at 5000m returns to New York after finishing second indoors in the Wanamaker Mile in a memorable race with Bernard Lagat at the 2007 Millrose Games in February.
“New York’s a favourite place of mine,” said Mottram, who prepared for the race with a training camp in altitude in Flagstaff, AZ. “(The Healthy Kidney 10K) is one of those races that I’ve used the last couple of years to prepare for the European track season, and it has fit in very, very nicely. I’ve been able to go there and run really, really well and I don’t think this year will be any different. I am a creature of habit and I love going to New York and it has been a good stomping ground for me.”
Khannouchi, 35, will make his New York professional debut at this weekend’s race. The current U.S. marathon record-holder, Khannouchi is the only man in history to have run under 2:06 three times.
“I’m very excited about running in New York City, especially in what has so far been a disappointing season,” said Khannouchi, who lives in Ossining, NY. “I look forward to competing and doing my best.”
Ritzenhein, 24, made his marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2006, finishing in 11th place. The 2003 NCAA Cross Country champion is expected to be one of the leading contenders this autumn at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Marathon, which will be run in Central Park as well. This will be the third time Ritzenhein and Mottram face each other head-to-head.
“I would never say “it’s going to be easy racing (Mottram), but I’m glad it’s a hilly 10K rather than a shorter race or on the track,” said Ritzenhein, who recently moved to Eugene, OR. “He’s a very mentally tough runner, and he feels he’s the best. If believes that, then it’s going to be a tough race. He’s a very formidable opponent.”
New York Road Runners is hosting the event, and event sponsor Embassy of the United Arab Emirates has put up a prize-money purse of $20,000, including $7,500 for the champion, and a $20,000 bonus for breaking the Central Park 10K record of 28 minutes, 10 seconds, set by Paul Koech of Kenya in 1997. The race will benefit the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., in appreciation of American medical excellence in the kidney transplant field.
NYRR
*The IAAF recognised official World records at the Marathon and selected other road race distances as of 1 January 2004. Prior to that date times were World bests.
