Top Africans likely to chase down Euros in elite event

A strong African presence, coupled with substantial prize-money, is guaranteed to produce an exciting elite race in the forthcoming Dublin Marathon. Set for the Bank Holiday of Monday October 29th, this year's 26.2-mile race includes an international line-up unsurpassed in previous years.

Race director Jim Aughney announced the elite field yesterday, and among the assembled runners are 10 Kenyans, six South Africans, leading men from Brazil, Belgium and the Czech Republic, as well as defending champion Simon Pride of Scotland.

Of those, the most capable appear to be Kenya's Wesley Chulele and South Africa's Joshua Petersen. Chulele (27), has a personal best of two hours 10 minutes and 15 seconds from the Rome Marathon last year, and in 1999 was the winner of the Golden Marathon, also run in Italy.

Petersen has a string of previous wins to his name, including the Soweto Marathon (twice) and the All-African Games Marathon in Johannesburg in 1999. His personal best is an equally impressive 2:11.17.

Both men will need to be at their best to get a hand on the €15,000 first prize (around £11,800). Six of the other Kenyans - including 1999 winner John Mutai - have personal bests below 2:15, and the course record of 2:13.45, set by Jerry Kiernan in 1982, is clearly under threat.

"If we get a good day then that record will definitely go," said Aughney, "and that puts them in line for another bonus of €3,000. There are also time bonuses from sub-2:16 downwards as well as separate awards for the top Irish finishers."

With new race sponsorship from Adidas (who will give £500,000 over the next four years), the number of entries continues to grow following the lull of the early 1990s. Official entries closed last Friday, and the final figure is set to exceed 7,000. The attacks on America last month have, however, reduced interest from across the Atlantic.

"We now know that we will not reach last year's figure of 4,000 Americans in the race but all indications are that a lot of them are still set to travel. All the major charities are still sending runners, but it's just that a number of individuals have pulled out."

Also ruled out is a repeat performance from Sonia O'Sullivan. She showed up last year without any warning and, despite the cold rain and wind, made a winning debut. With O'Sullivan now seven months pregnant and training (lightly) in Australia, the women's race could still produce an Irish winner, as Valerie Vaughan has prepared well to make her debut and chase the similar prize money.

The Irish men look set to battle for the minor places, and the Irish prize of €1,500 should go to current national marathon champion Pauric McKinney, although the veteran John Griffin is still capable of success.

This year's course also shows minor modifications by avoiding the O'Connell Street area and starting at the corner of Arran Quay and Church Street.

Run almost entirely around the south side of the city, it will finish in Smithfield. Further details on the course can be found on the marathon website at www.dublincitymarathon.ie