Stellar fields threaten course records.

Photo: Danny Kassap won the 2004 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

[TORONTO. September 12, 2005.] One of the major stories at last year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, was the "Horatio Alger-like tale" of local hero, Danny Kassap's victory. The 22 year old refugee, who had fled political persecution in the Congo 3 years earlier, and had needed to spend his first few months in Toronto in a shelter for homeless street youth, defeated several highly-favoured and more- experienced Kenyans to cross the line first in 2:14:51--a new course record. His winnings of $12,000 were a small fortune to the young man who works part-time in a fish and chip shop to support his training. In this year's race on September 25th, however, he'll be in much tougher competition against a field that race director Alan Brookes describes as "by far our best ever". The age-group world records of Ed Whitlock and Fauja Singh have undoubtedly spread the reputation of the Waterfront's flat, fast course, which has attracted better-quality athletes, and more depth.

There will be five Kenyans on this year's start line with Kassap, who have all run faster times than him in the last 18 months: Barnabas Koech [2:10:19]; Augustus Kavutu [2:11:39]; Nelson Lebo [2:11:13]; Simon Bor [2:12:13]; and Wesley Ngetich [2:13:18]. Beyond that, there is a great mix of experience and youth confirmed. Bor, at 36 years old, ran a 2:07:55 in Amsterdam in 2002 and was 7th at Boston that year, before sitting out 2003 and 2004 with injuries. Now he's back, with a 2:12 at LA in March and another 2:12 in San Diego in June--good for 4th on both outings. John Nada Saya, who ran 2:08:57 in 2001, has returned to recover and train in his native Tanzania after overtraining and succumbing to injuries during a stint living in Korea. Nicholas Murei, Joseah Matui and Alphonse Tabut are all Kenyans debuting at the marathon, with promising credentials: Murei has only previously raced internationally in France where he finished in the top 5 in all his races there last year, including a 62:22 half.

"What is most exciting about our men's field this year is the number of guys on the line who know how to win," said Brookes. Koech won Prague in 2004 with his 2:10; Kavutu was the champion at Twin Cities last Fall; Lebo won Seville in '04; Ngetich won Grandma's with his 2:13 this June; Zach Kihara won Edinburgh in his debut on a hilly course in Edinburgh [2:15:26] the same month; 22 year old Ethiopian, Kassahun Kabisio, won Vancouver in May [2:15:39]; and Polish runner Marek Jareszewski won Houston in 2004 and was third this year [2:15:34].

Can Kassap deliver another Cinderella story? "The hometown fans will all be out cheering for him," said Brookes, "but it's likely to take a big PR and a new course record for him to pull it off!"

The women's race, will be similarly competitive, and is likely to eclipse Lyubov Morgunova's course record of 2:36:20, set in 2003. Pre-race favourite is last year's women's champion from Twin Cities, Irina Permitina, who clocked a 2:26:53 to register the victory last October. Out to beat her will be Kenyans Jenny Chesinon, who ran 2:31:38 to win Carpi in 2003, and 2:32:16 to win Brussels last Fall; and Anastasia Ndereba, younger sister of "Catherine the Great". Anastasia has a marathon PR of 2:29:03, and has run 2:29 on three occasions. Earlier this year, she placed 9th at Osaka Women's Marathon in 2:30:45. Young, up-and-comers Victoria Zueva [Russia] with a 2:38, and Ethiopian Tiringo Gelathew [2:42] are both expected to run faster. The field will be rounded out by Brits Lucy Hasell and Amy Stiles, who both ran 2:39 in London this Spring, and Canadians Sandy Jacobson [PR 2:33:51] and Tania Jones [2:39:10]. The Brits and Canadians will also be part of a new "International Team Challenge", Team GB vs. Team Canada on the Toronto Waterfront.

Adding further to the excitement at this year's record -breaking race, will be the much-publicized rematch between the remarkable septuagenarians, Canadian Ed Whitlock, and "The Flying Dutchman", Joop Ruter. Whitlock astounded the world last September when he ran 2:54:49 on the Toronto Waterfront course at age 73. He then went on to beat the 72-year-old Dutchman, Ruter, in a head-to-head "match" in Rotterdam this April, where he clocked 2:58. The rematch is expected to be very close, with the hope that both men can go under the 3 hour mark.

There is also a half marathon and a 5K, all run separately. Combined with the full-marathon, they are expected to attract a total of more than 10,000 participants--another record. Information and registration at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com Start list:

MEN

Barnabas Koech Kenya 2:10:19 [2004]

Augustus Kavutu Kenya 2:11:39 [2004]

Wesley Ngetich Kenya 2:13:18 [2005]

Nelson Lebo Kenya 2:11:13 [2004]

Danny Kassap Toronto, Canada 2:14:51 [2004]

Zachary Kihara Kenya 2:15:26 [2005]

John Nada Saya Tanzania 2:08:57 [2001]

Kassahun Kabiso Ethiopia 2:15:39 [2005]

Eshetu Bekele Ethiopia 2:17:37 [2004]

Alphonse Kiplagat Tabut Kenya Debut

Joseah Matui Kenya debut

Nicholas Murei Kenya debut

Ronald Mogaka Kenya 2:12:58 [1999]

Marek Jareszewski Poland 2:14:52 [2003]

Steve Osaduik[Team Canada] Nanaimo,BC,Canada 2:24:27 [2004]

Simon Bor Kenya 2:07:55 [2002]

Michael Green[Team GB] Blackburn, England 2:18:11 [2005]

Darran Bilton [Team GB] York, England 2:20:49 [2003]

Kevin Beatty[Team Canada] Waterloo, ON,Canada 2:21:42

Uli Steidl Seattle, WA, USA 2:13:56 [2000]

Robert Mangusho Kenya 2:17:27 [2004]

Ed Whitlock Milton, ON 2:54:49 World record 70+, 2004

Joop Ruter Holland 3:02:45 at age 71, 2004 WOMEN

Jennifer Chesinon Kenya 2:31:38

Anastasia Ndereba Kenya 2:29:03

Irina Permitina Russia 2:26:53

Victoria Zueva Russia 2:38:21

Tiringo Gelathew Ethiopia 2:42

Amy Stiles Bristol,GB 2:39:37

Lucy Hasell Bristol, GB 2:39:17

Tania Jones Toronto,Canada 2:39:10

Sandy Jacobson Edmonton, Can 2:33:51