Posted: December 29, 2007

Athletics: 33rd International New Year’s Eve Run - Lebid against a Legion of Africans

Top-class participants with both titleholders in the 33rd BOCLASSIC The 33rd edition of BOCLASSIC, the international New Year’s Eve Run in Bozen (South Tyrol) comes up with several stars. Titleholders Abderrahim Goumri and Aniko Kalovics participate in the run as well as record winner Sergey Lebid. The seven-time European Cross champion and the race ambassador Silvia Weissteiner are the darlings of the public. In today’s press conference, the complete participants have been officially presented. Three European champions, as well as medal winners in World, European and African Championships will see to an exceptional track and field sports party. European Cross Champion Sergey Lebid faces half a dozen African top runners. Nowadays, Goumri is considered as one of the three best marathon runners of the world (2nd in New York and London). The third of the previous year Awash (19) of Ethiopia could be one of those numerous runners, who arises in Bozen/Bolzano and will then make a successful international career. A very hot lead to the win is Edwin Soi. The Kenyan was elected 2007 as world best road runner and celebrated two wins in the World Athletics Final. Another hot tip is Marathon vice World Champion Shami Mubarak Hassan of Katar. In the women’s race spectators will see again two out of three podium runners from last year. Titleholder Aniko Kalovics from Hungary and local hero and italian leading runner Silvia Weissteiner. The 28 year old Italian is the new ambassador of the race. The strongest opponent for Kalovics might be Tetyana Holovchenko, last year’s European cross country champion and Kenyan Sylvia Kibet who finished 4th at the World Championships in Osaka over 5000 metres. All of them have to pay attention at Emebt Eta Bedada. In the last month the 17 year old promising Ethiopian runner was able to beat Kalovics twice in cross country races. The BOCLASSIC is one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve runs. The race takes place in the ancient lanes of Bozen/Bolzano downtown. The length of the track is 5000 metres for women (4 rounds) and 10,000 metres for men. Women’s race will start at 3 p.m., men’s race at 3.30 p.m. Last year approximately 15,000 people followed the race along the circuit. The race will be broadcasted from RAI Sport Satellite (Hotbird) live starting at 3 p.m. For the first time it can be followed also on internet at www.senderbozen.rai.it. In the run-up will be held the BOCLASSIC 4 ALL, an international amateur race over 5000 metres and the Raiffeisen youth races with a total amount of 400 runners. Additional Information: www.boclassic.it. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest