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Two-Time Olympic Marathon Medalist Erick Wainaina To Compete in Sapporo International Ski Marathon

http://www.asahi.com/sports/spo/TKY200902040119.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

The 29th Sapporo International Ski Marathon takes place Feb. 8 in Sapporo starting from nearby Sapporo Dome. The event includes five cross-country ski courses ranging from 3 km to 50 km, offering a wide variety of challenges to the 2700 entrants. For top athletes the race also serves as a qualification race for the World Loppet international championships.

Among the entrants in the 3 km division is special guest and two-time Olympic marathon medalist Erick Wainaina (35). Wainaina came to Japan from his native Kenya in 1993. Wainaina has been downhill skiing "once, around 1995," but this will be his first time cross-country skiing. He plans to practice the day before the race and says his strategy will be "to look as cool as usual on my skis."

Having won Sapporo's Hokkaido Marathon three times, Wainaina will also be the awards presenter for the 25 km and 50 km divisions. "This is my first ski race," Wainaina commented. "I'll be trying hard along with everyone else, but I want to enjoy myself too."
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Anonymous said…
Hehehee -- PLEASE link to pictures after the race!

Just about to leave the flat for cross-country-skiing,
cpr
February 7, 2009 at 6:26 PM
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