ID :
203615
Fri, 08/26/2011 - 07:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/203615
The shortlink copeid
(Daegu Athletics) Weather permitting, S. Korea hoping to reach podium in women's marathon
DAEGU, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is hoping that its women marathoners will hand the country its first medal at this year's World Championships in Athletics, but weather conditions may not cooperate this weekend.
The women's marathon is set for a 9 a.m. start on Saturday, the opening day of the 13th world championships. While local runners individually are far off international standards, they believe they have a shot at winning a medal in the team event.
The team event combines the times of three fastest finishers for each country. Medals will be awarded, though they won't count toward the medal standings.
Chung Yun-hee, third at the Seoul International Marathon in March, is the team leader. Kim Sung-eun has the best record in the squad at 2 hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds, while 19-year-old Choi Bo-ra is an up-and-comer who has said she wants to break the national record of 2:26:12.
But more so than their personal records, weather conditions in this southeastern city may be a factor in South Korea's medal hopes.
The host country assembled a team of runners who can best handle the humid summer conditions of Daegu. Officials have said the heat could level the playing field somewhat and local marathoners more accustomed to such conditions could have a chance.
But it has been unseasonably cool here in Daegu. In the past week or so, temperatures have hovered around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), about six degrees Celsius lower than usual, with overcast skies and sprinkles of rain.
"Things are going almost the exact opposite of what we'd predicted," said marathon coach Yoo Jae-sung, who added his runners are still in good shape and will be competitive against the world's best.
Mary Keitany of Kenya has the best time this year at 2:19.19. World record holder Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25) has opted to run in a Berlin meet later in September and is not in Daegu.
The women's marathon is set for a 9 a.m. start on Saturday, the opening day of the 13th world championships. While local runners individually are far off international standards, they believe they have a shot at winning a medal in the team event.
The team event combines the times of three fastest finishers for each country. Medals will be awarded, though they won't count toward the medal standings.
Chung Yun-hee, third at the Seoul International Marathon in March, is the team leader. Kim Sung-eun has the best record in the squad at 2 hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds, while 19-year-old Choi Bo-ra is an up-and-comer who has said she wants to break the national record of 2:26:12.
But more so than their personal records, weather conditions in this southeastern city may be a factor in South Korea's medal hopes.
The host country assembled a team of runners who can best handle the humid summer conditions of Daegu. Officials have said the heat could level the playing field somewhat and local marathoners more accustomed to such conditions could have a chance.
But it has been unseasonably cool here in Daegu. In the past week or so, temperatures have hovered around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), about six degrees Celsius lower than usual, with overcast skies and sprinkles of rain.
"Things are going almost the exact opposite of what we'd predicted," said marathon coach Yoo Jae-sung, who added his runners are still in good shape and will be competitive against the world's best.
Mary Keitany of Kenya has the best time this year at 2:19.19. World record holder Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25) has opted to run in a Berlin meet later in September and is not in Daegu.
