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This weekend's road racing action includes the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 mile in Washington, D.C., and the Carlsbad 5000 in Carlsbad, Calif. Both events are scheduled for Sunday, April 6.
In Washington, two-time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba will open her 2008 season. The 35 year-old Kenyan, who also holds an Olympic silver medal, has never won the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 mile. Her best finish there was second in 2004 to Kenyan compatriot Isabellah Ochichi. Ndereba, who will be challenged by Kenyan Lineth Chepkurui and Romanian Lidia Simon, will lead a field of elite women in a special early start, 20 minutes prior to the main race of 12,000 runners.
Kenyan John Korir, 32, who has won the Cherry Blossom three times, leads the men's field. His key challengers will be compatriots Sammy Kipketer, Reuben Chebii and Nicholas Manza Kamakya. Two Japanese, Toyoda Takashi and Souhei Wada, also hope to be in the mix.
Some 3000 miles to the west, the Carlsbad 5000 will welcome U.S. mile record holder Alan Webb into their field for the first time. Webb, 25, has an excellent chance of breaking Marc Davis's U.S. 5-K record of 13:24 set at the same race in 1996.
"I'm really looking forward to my first trip out to Carlsbad," said Webb through a media release. "I've always heard about what a great course and event it is, and how fast people have run there. Plus, Steve Scott has been something of a mentor to me over the years, and to run on a course he designed and won on three times just makes it that much more special."
Some strong international athletes will challenge Webb, including 2006 Carlsbad champion Abreham Cherkos Feleke of Ethiopia, and Kenyans Boniface Songok and Shadrack Kosgei. Americans Ian Dobson and Steve Slattery are also in the field.
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