Wanjiru for Rock ‘n’ Roll, Lagat wins in Spain

By Feverpitch Reporter and Agencies

Olympic marathon champion, Samuel Wanjiru has signed to race at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras half marathon, while his women 1,500m counterpart, Nancy Jebet Lagat won at Cinque Mulini cross in Spain.

"I’m very happy to be part of the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans," Wanjiru told reporters, who set his first half-marathon world record in 2005 at 18 year-old in Rotterdam with a time of 59:16.

He subsequently took back the world record in 2007 with 58:53 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates. Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie had broken his 59:16 previous mark in Arizona with a 58:55 effort.

Wanjiru then bettered his record by another 20 seconds at the City-Pier-City Loop in The Hague, The Netherlands (58:33).

Perfect timing

"The race is perfect timing in my build up to the London Marathon," explained Wanjiru. "I know it will be very competitive, and should be very fast. I’m coming to do my best and hope for a great performance."

"Attracting the likes of Wanjiru to New Orleans was always our goal at the Competitor Group, and it shows our commitment to attracting the biggest names in the world of running," said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator. "We’re excited to have the world record holder and Olympic Gold medallist on the start line next month. We are still working hard and hope to bring in more big names and to challenge Sammy over the half-marathon distance."

In Spain, Lagat became the fourth Kenyan to take the win at the fabled contest that celebrated the 40th edition of its women’s race.

A leading pack formed by Lagat, the two young Ethiopians Asmerawork Bekele and Tizila Bogale – who were first and second at the Villa Lagarina Cross Countrythis year - Portugal’s Ana Dulce Felix and Great Britain’s Stephanie Twell went to the front in the early stages.

Langat and Bogale, who finished fifth in the 800m at the 2009 World Youth Championships, pulled away during the second and penultimate lap. At the bell, Langat broke away from Bogale, built her gap to five seconds over the Ethiopian, and romped home in 19:25 beating Bogale by five seconds.