Freihofer's Run Adds '07 Houston Marathon Winner Tune; Kenyan’s Jepkosgei and Chebet; and Americans Aish and McCabe
May 15, 2007
by: Press Release

ALBANY (May 8, 2007) — With the Freihofer's Run for Women now less than three weeks away, race officials have confirmed this year's field will be among the best in the history of the race.

"It may sound like an exaggeration to state that the 2007 Freihofer's field is better than any other," said Event Director George Regan, "but when you look at the list of who's signed up, it's clear that it's far from an exaggeration. This field is incredible."

Regan speaks the truth. The field of US and international stars who will be toeing the line in Albany June 2 may be the envy of event directors across the nation. In addition to defending champion Benita Johnson (AUS) and course record holder Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR), a stellar group of African and European stars will be in town, all vying for the the first place prize of $10,000.

Of all those hoping to deny the defending champion, it is inevitable that it is the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners who attract the greatest speculation. As major running events all around the world attest, those countries have established reputations for producing fiercely talented distance runners, a group of whom will be racing through the streets of New York's capital city this year.

Dire Tune (ETH) may be the athlete to look for if you're hoping for an upset. Just 21, Tune has a modest 5K PR of 15:47, but is clearly capable of much faster, based on her 10K time of 32:01. Earlier this year she won the Houston Marathon in a new course record (2:26:52), indicative of fine form and intimidating strength.

A Kenyan duo comprised of Florence Jepkosgei and Emily Chebet will also be in the fray. The former was second in this year's always competitive Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K in Richmond, VA, while the latter placed second in this year's Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans and third in the Bloomsday Run 12K in Spokane, WA, both intensely contested events.

The US contingent is not about to concede the victory without a battle. Nicole Aish from Boulder, CO and Emily McCabe from Durham, NC are both on the Freihofer's roster and will be determined to make an impact. They will have their work cut out, but their competitive records indicate that hard racing from the gun will suit them just fine.

Aish placed 10th at Freihofer's in 2006, 7th in 2005 and 4th in 2004, so can add course-knowledge to her long distance credentials (4th in the New York City Marathon in 2003, 2nd in the London Marathon in 2004, 8th in the Chicago Marathon in 2006). McCabe, a native of Queensbury, NY, is an emerging force, who placed an impressive 16th in this year's US Cross Country Championships - always a white-hot race - indicating her capability and determination to race in the big leagues.

"We always strive to attain an elite group of contenders at the Freihofer's Run for Women," said John Marcoux, business director at
Charles Freihofer Baking Company. "Freihofer's recognizes there are many talented female athletes throughout the world, and we hope the race brings attention to women in sports. This year, we truly have the best field since the inception of the race 29 years ago."

The intensity of the competition at this year's Freihofer's Run for Women will be palpable to anybody standing near the starting line. Every runner knows that there's no such thing as a sure thing; but one certainty is that the multi-national Freihofer's field is poised to melt the city's asphalt.