>From the folks at London. Abera, Tergat, El Mouaziz, Lee Bong-ju. etc. also on current entry list.
2003 FLORA LONDON MARATHON For immediate release 3 December 2002 KHANNOUCHI TO FACE TOUGH LONDON FIELD World record holder Khalid Khannouchi (USA) faces a tough test in his attempt to defend his Flora London Marathon title. Leading the pack will be Olympic and World champion, Gezahegne Abera (ETH), who notched up his third Fukuoka triumph at the weekend with yet another trademark sprint. This year Abera, 24, was sadly deprived of the chance to challenge Khannouchi in London because of injury. But now he is raring to go: "It was very frustrating for me to sit out last year's race," he commented. "But I always felt I had to be in top shape to run in such a high quality field. I can't wait to make up for the disappointment." Abera will be joined by Paul Tergat (KEN), the second fastest marathoner in history who now has an average from his four Marathons of 2:07:19. (second in London 2001/2, second and fourth in Chicago 2001/2). Abdelkader El Mouaziz (MAR) was disappointed not to have done better than fourth in London this year after he fell heavily. He followed that up with fifth in Chicago, but 2:06:52 and a career best 2:06:46 respectively indicate he is a major player in any race. London is a home from home for Antonio Pinto (POR) who returns for the ninth time with three wins under his belt as well as a former course record of 2:06:36 (2000). 2001 Boston winner Lee Bong-ju (KOR), World Championship bronze Stefano Baldini (ITA), Ian Syster (RSA), Venice Marathon winner David Makori (KEN) and Britain's Mark Steinle complete the line-up. America's Deena Drossin has been added to the field in the women's race. The Flora London Marathon takes place April 13 2003. MEN'S ELITE FIELD PERSONAL BESTS Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 2:05:38 1 London 2002 Paul Tergat (KEN) 2:05:48 2 London 2002 Antonio Pinto (POR) 2:06:36 1 London 2000 Abdelkader El Mouaziz (MAR) 2:06:46 5 Chicago 2002 Ian Syster (RSA) 2:07:06 5 London 2002 Lee Bong-ju (KOR) 2:07:20 2 Tokyo 2000 Stefano Baldini (ITA) 2:07:29 6 London 2002 Gezahegne Abera (ETH) 2:07:54 1 Fukuoka 1999 David Makori (KEN) 2:08:49 1 Venice 2002 Mark Steinle (GBR) 2:09:17 8 London 2002 WOMEN'S ELITE FIELD Catherine Ndereba (KEN) 2:18:47 1 Chicago 2001 Ludmilla Petrova (RUS) 2:22:32 3 London 2002 Joyce Chepchumba (KEN) 2:23:22 1 London 1999 Derartu Tulu (ETH) 2:23:57 1 London 2001 Adriana Fernandez (MEX) 2:24:06 2 London 1999 Genovese Bruna (ITA) 2:25:35 3 Tokyo 2001 Maria Guida (ITA) 2:25:57 1 Carpi 1999 Deena Drossin (USA) 2:26:53 6 Boston 2002 Susie Power (AUS) Half Marathon debut 2002 67:56 Great North Run
