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American Russian Cross-Country
Showdown for Coca Cola Ras na hEireann
10 February 2005
The Russians are coming and the Americans will be in Termonfechin
waiting for them reports Larry Maguill, race Director for Ras na
hEireann since the inaugural event was held in Dunleer in 1970. Over
the years the Ras na hEireann has generated some of the best
excitement in Irish athletics and this year will be no exception.
Four of Russia's top athletes will be flying in from Moscow to
participate in what will be one of the best Ras na hEireann's ever
promoted in County Louth. The Americans are coming too and they too
are determined to take the top honors at the Ras.
Joe McAllister is currently the top Irish entrant entered in this
year's Ras to take on athletes from Russia, USA, South Africa,
Portugal, France, Scotland, England, Wales, Poland, and Kenya. Joe
will be flying in from Boston to represent the Irish athletes
against this incredible field of overseas talent.
The Ras na hEireann is once again part of 'International Sports and
Cultural Week' a partnership between Ras na hEireann and the Armagh
International festival of road races. The Armagh event will be held
in Armagh on Thursday Feb 24th and the Ras na hEireann will conclude
International Week on February 27th in Termonfechin (located 3 miles
east of Drogheda).
The Russians have all posted very impressive times recently in
Moscow.
Stanislav Anishchenko recently ran 8:04 for 3000M indoors in Moscow
Aleksandr Orlov who also has a recent impressive time of 8:05 for
3000M indoors. Top Russian Andrey Farnosov has a indoor 3000M 8:00
time. Farnosov also has an impressive 3000 m steeple time of 8:34.
Also on the Russian team is Andrey Zatonskiy who has run 8:06 for
3000M and has run 3:44 for 1500M.
The American athletes will be led by Christian Hesch who has had a
great year since his participation in the Ras na hEireann in 2004.
Hesch recently overpowered Mark Carroll in New York over 8K on the
roads. Teddy Mitchell, a four minute miler and one on the USA's top
international athletes will be making his debut run in Ireland.
Mitchel, from New Mexico is currently training in Mexico City
preparing for his brief tour of races in Europe. The USA team will
also include three members of ZAP fitness (an elite group of
professional athletes based in North Carolina). ZAP athletes running
for the USA include Joe Driscoll (13:48 for 5000M), Kyle King (13:54
for 5000M), Vince Sherry (8:00 for 3000M). Wrapping up the American
team will be Paul Ryan from Boston and Jordon Jones from Colorado.
Other notables competing this year are the three 2004 Olympians
Kim Smith New Zealand.
Matt O'Dowd Great Britain.
Michael Bartozak Poland.
For a partial list (online entries) please view on website.
More information for ras na heireann at
www.rasnaheireann.com
More information for the Armagh Roadraces at
www.armaghroadrace.com
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