ING New York City Marathon

Posted by Gabriel Rodriguez Oct 29, 2006

Defending Olympic Marathon Champion, Stefano Baldini of Italy, highlights the 2006 version of the infamous ING New York City Marahton on Sunday, November 5th.

The 2006 ING New York City Marathon will be a rematch between the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon gold (Baldini) and silver medallist in American Meb Keflizighi. The final crucial kilometers in Athens boiled down to the Italian and the American trading strides, with Baldini prevailing over the final mile. Keflezighi is seeking revenge for personal regrets of not making a bid to win, rather than securing a silver medal.

However, Keflezighi enters the race with some injury concerns, while Baldini enters as European Champion, once again displaying his mastery of the marathon distance. Another pre-race favorite will be South Africa's Hendrick Ramaala, the 2005 ING New York City Marathon runner-up in the most dramatic finish in New York City Marathon history. Ramaala's vast experience over the New York marathon course will position him well to be a threat in the finish, but he will have to fend off challenges from a slew of Africans led by Kenyan Stephen Kiogora (2:06:39 personal best) and 2005 Boston Marathon Champion, Ethiopian Hailu Negussie. A slew of top Americans, including Alan Culpepper and the highly publicized debut of Dathan Ritzenhein, are also entered in the expected 40,000 runner race.