Ndebera sends warning to Radcliffe
World marathon record-holder Catherine Ndebera warmed up for her clash against Paula Radcliffe in Chicago on October 13, with a superb victory in yesterday’s Crim 10 mile road race in Flint, Michigan.
The 30-year-old Kenyan, piling on the pressure in the latter stages of the race, won easily in a personal best time of 52 minutes nine seconds – the second fastest time ever over the course where Cathy O’Brien set a United States record 51:47 in 1989.
Ndebera who set her world record in Chicago last October when running two hours 18.47, initially stayed off the pace set by Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco, who led through the eight-mile mark before eventually finishing second in 52:21.
Another Kenyan, Agnes Ngunjiri, clinched third place in 55:41.
“It was a wonderful race,” said Ndereba after winning a sixth Crim title. “She had a 100-metre lead, but I maintained my pace and told my body to go how it feels. I caught her at the eight-mile mark.”
Making it a double success for Kenya, Simon Rono took the men’s title in 47:13.
Pulling away after six miles, he held on to win ahead of team-mates Benjamin Kosgei (47:21) and William Kiptum (47:29).
