Ndereba Storms to Victory at Philadelphia Distance Run

Philadelphia, USA - The thunder storms that organizers feared would waterlog the 25th running of the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run were held at bay by the gods, but nothing could stop Catherine Ndereba of Kenya from storming to her sixth victory.

The world's fastest ever woman marathoner simply tolerated the warm temperatures and soaking humidity better than her rivals, and ran unchallenged to a 1:09:20 win, 50 seconds off her course record set last year.

"It's home ground," said the pretty Kikuyu tribeswoman who trains in the Philadelphia area when she is in the United States. She was using this race as a tune-up for her Chicago Marathon title defence on 13 October, where she will face Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain and Yoko Shibui of Japan, among others.

"It's good, it's good," said Ndereba about how this race fits into her Chicago plans. "In fact, my training is coming up. The best part of today is to finish the race feeling good and do what I am supposed to do."

Although not expected to challenge Ndereba for the win, American Marla Runyan was also using the race here as a test for her marathon debut at New York City on 3 November.  She told the media before the race that she wanted to break 70 minutes, but given the difficult conditions she was satisfied with her 1:11:20 second place finish.  For the Olympic finalist at 1500m in Sydney, it was the longest race of her life.

"I was on pace at half-way," said the always analytical Runyan. "Actually, I went out hard.  I went out (at) 5:09 (for the first mile).  Coming into the back side (of the course), I sort of started to run high 5:20's... I kind of knew I probably wasn't going to hit my goal. I gave it a good shot."

The holder of the men's world best in the marathon, Khalid Khannouchi of the United States, had come here with similar intentions as Ndereba, to test himself for Chicago.  The three times he has won here, he has also gone on to win in Chicago.

"I'm here for one reason," said Khannouchi before the race.  "It has a similar course to Chicago. It's more important to run a solid race (than to win)."

Unfortunately, the Moroccan-born runner did not get the race he wanted.  He was amongst the leaders through the first 5 km, but was unable to respond to a hard surge by defending champion Ronald Mogaka of Kenya in the seventh kilometre. Within a few seconds, Mogaka had a ten metre lead over Khannouchi and three other chasers: South African Abner Chipu and Kenyans Stephen Kiogora and John Kagwe. 

Mogaka held a steady pace through 15Km, but Chipu, not waiting for the others to act, surged away from the chasing pack and began to close on the tiring Mogaka.  He caught him just past the 16 km mark and thought he would be able to take charge of the race immediately.

"I didn't want to give him a chance to rest," said Chipu. "Just to break him."

But Mogaka would not relent, and soon Chipu was again behind the tall Kenyan, running in his slipstream. When Chipu would not share the lead, Mogaka became upset. Just ahead of the 20 km point, the Kenyan started to swerve hard from left to right, trying to get the South African off of his heels.

"That is why I was ziggy-zagging, because he was using me," said Mogaka after the race.  "I decided to ziggy-zag so I could run my own race."

With one more decisive surge, Mogaka left Chipu next to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and romped home on Benjamin Franklin Parkway for his second consecutive victory here in 1:02:22.  Chipu, who finished third in a half-marathon one week ago in Scotland, held on to second place in 1:02:45. Kiogora finished third (1:03:15), while Khannouchi had to settle for fourth (1:03:18).  It was the slowest time he had run at this race in four finishes.

Khannouchi's normally easy gait was visibly tight.  His upper body was rotating more than usual, and he seemed to be fighting to stay with what should have been a comfortable pace.  But Khannouchi is always one to take the long view.

"It is more important to plan what you want in life," said Khannouchi who has made an Olympic appearance in 2004 his top priority.  Then referring to his wife and coach Sandra he added, "When you are supported by somebody who loves you, that makes a great difference."

Results:

Men -
 1. Ronald Mogaka, KEN, 1:02:22
 2. Abner Chipu RSA, 1:02:45
 3. Stephen Kiogora, KEN, 1:03:15
 4. Khalid Khannouchi, USA, 1:03:18
 5. John Kagwe, KEN, 1:03:31

Women -
 1. Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 1:09:20
 2. Marla Runyan, USA, 1:11:19 (debut)
 3. Luminita Talpos, ROM, 1:12:36
 4. Carol Howe, CAN, 1:15:15 (debut)
 5. Zivile Balciunaite, LTU, 1:15:25