Africans head elite field
for marathonDefending champion Eric Kimaiyo
By Pat Bigold
is coming off the best year
of his career
Star-BulletinThe Honolulu Marathon men's race has been a showcase for African distance runners for the past dozen years. That's not likely to change in the 25th anniversary edition of the 26.2-mile race that begins in darkness at 5 a.m. tomorrow where Ala Moana meets Queen Street.
Defending champion Eric Kimaiyo of Kenya is back after the best marathon year of his career. He recorded superb times in London (2:08:08) and Berlin (2:07:43). The latter - good for a runner-up finish - is the fourth fastest time in the world this year.
''I think Eric Kimaiyo is the clear-cut favorite because he's proven he can not only win on this course, he's proven he can run very fast, particularly on the last part of this course," Honolulu Marathon Association president Dr. Jim Barahal said. ''Someone is going to have to prove they can run with him."
Last year, Kimaiyo won in 2:13:23, the sixth fastest time in race history. But it was the way he broke from the pack to win that was impressive.
From Mile 16, the military man from Kapsabet, Kenya, hammered out consecutive mile times of 4:42, 4:41, 4:40, 4:50, 4:49, 4:43 and 4:49.
"The finest bit of racing since Ibrahim Hussein set the course record (2:11:43) in 1986," Barahal said.
Hussein set his record under coolish conditions that were as perfect as one could hope for in a Hawaii marathon. If this weekend's weather persists until tomorrow morning, it could make for an aggressive race, Barahal said.
''I think the cool weather would open up this race to a lot more people," he said. ''The runners would be a little less cautious than they might be otherwise. Runners who haven't run here before are very cautious and afraid to test the heat. So if it's cool, people will be more willing to take chances."
He said he expects Kenyans such as Kimaiyo, 1996 runner-up Jimmy Muindi, Sammy Nyangincha and Josphat Ndeti to go out fast and find others willing to take on their pace if the weather is comfortable.
''But I think the field will watch Kimaiyo," Barahal said.
Muindi finished fourth in 1994, third in 1995 and second last year. At Boston in April, Muindi battled with the lead pack until late in the race before finishing seventh.
In the women's race, none of the previous three champions (Russia's Ramila Burangulova, South Africa's Colleen DeReuck and Holland's Carla Beurskens) are entered. But three of the top 10 women from 1996 are back: runner-up Svetlana Vasilieva (2:35:36) of Russia, eighth-place finisher Eriko Asai (2:50:23) of Japan and 10th place Maimuna Margwe (2:52:26) of Tanzania.
Margwe, a policewoman in her country, is only 18.
Potential front-pack runners in the men's and women's fields are Chinese runners from Inner Mongolia. The Chinese Athletic Federation has entered four of its best marathoners. It is the first time the CAF will be represented in the marathon.
On the men's side, Gangjun Hu, the record holder (2:09:18) and three-time national marathon (Beijing) champion, and Lijun Hao, this year's national marathon runner-up (2:1325), could pose a threat to Kimaiyo.
They ran under humid conditions in Beijing in the fall, which could prove significant in Honolulu's weather.
On the women's side, Jinhong Pan, the 1997 Chinese national marathon champion, whose 2:26:39 is the ninth fastest time in the world this year, might be the favorite.
Mei Tian, who was fourth in the national marathon (2:28:15), is the only other contender with a strong recent time.
''The Chinese women, if they're in shape, have to be considered the favorites in this race," Barahal said. ''It's hard to imagine they would go through all the trouble of running outside China and not be in some sort of form."
A dark horse to consider is Vasilieva, who did much of the front-pack work last year, braving head winds and still managing to finish second. She is a sturdy competitor who has shown she can handle adversity.
FOOT NOTES: Africans own 20 of the 26 fastest times run in the men's race . . .
The latest entry count is 32,628. But Honolulu will likely be the second largest marathon in the world this year. New York City had 30,427 finishers, but no-shows will likely give Honolulu about 25,000 finishers. In 1994, there were 32,771 entries and 25,833 finishers . . .
The women with the best marathon credentials are in town to watch this year's race.
Russia's Valentina Yegorova has gold and silver marathon medals in the last two Olympics.
Wang Junxia holds the Chinese national record (2:24:07 in 1993). Wang was a favorite in today's Nike P.L.A.Y. Waikiki Mile (3:45 p.m.).
Eight-time Honolulu women's winner Carla Beurskens is home in Holland nursing a training injury.
South African Josiah Thungwane, who won Honolulu in 1995 before winning the gold medal in the Olympic marathon, is looking ahead to next year. Thungwane recently won the elite and restricted Fukuoka Marathon in a course record 2:07:28, the second fastest time in the world this year.
Late entries, costing $100, will be accepted until 6 p.m. today at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.
Honolulu Marathon:
Runners to watchWomen's field
Jinhong Pan (China): Has personal best of 2:26:39, set this year at the Beijing Marathon.
Men's field
25th Honolulu Marathon
