FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mungara and Kawauchi renew epic rivalry on the Gold Coast
Tuesday 11 April
This year's 39th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will feature a rematch
between Kenya's Kenneth Mungara and Japan's Yuki Kawauchi, the two road
warriors who last year fought out the closest finish in the event's
history.
Mungara will come to the Gold Coast in great form again after posting a
runner-up finish at the 2017 Milan Marathon (Sunday 2 April) in Italy in
2:09:37 - the race that has become his traditional lead-up to the Gold
Coast.
On the same day, Kawauchi notched his sixth marathon since last year's run
on the Gold Coast and placed sixth at the 2017 Daegu International Marathon
in South Korea (2:13:04). He will build up to the Gold Coast Airport
Marathon by racing in May's Prague Marathon and June's ASICS Stockholm
Marathon.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon CEO Cameron Hart today confirmed Mungara and
Kawauchi have signed up for this year's renewal, a prestigious IAAF Gold
Label Road Race event, to be held on Sunday 2 July.
"Last year's dramatic finish between these two champions was one of the
most memorable in the event's history and I'm thrilled to welcome both men
back to the Gold Coast in July," Mr Hart said.
"These two great runners, along with the rest of the elite field which will
be announced shortly, will put the race record under threat and vindicate
our position as Australia's fastest marathon.
"Our ability to attract first-class international elite runners is a
testament to the standard of our event and our flat, fast course located in
one of the world's most popular holiday destinations."
Last year Mungara added to his 2015 victory when he won an epic showdown
with Kawauchi by a single second, breaking the finish tape in 2:09:00.
The win put Mungara in illustrious company as he joined compatriot Fred
Kiprop (1998/99) and Queensland running legend Pat Carroll (1984/85) as the
only back-to-back winners of the men's Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
If he can win again this year, it will be the first hat-trick by a male in
the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and equalling the female feat set by Gold
Coast local Margaret Reddan from 1984-86.
Mungara, the 43-year-old former barber, won his first Gold Coast Airport
Marathon in 2015 in 2:08:42, a time that remains the fastest ever run on
Australian roads.
"The course is good and the race is well organised and that is important
but it is also important to feel the excitement of the people," Mungara
said.
"I like the Gold Coast Airport Marathon course, the people and the
post-event activity like seeing and interacting with the exotic Australian
animals."
With three months to go until the next edition of the 'duel by the pool',
Mungara is looking forward to clashing with Kawauchi and the other elite
runners on the Gold Coast.
"Yuki is great," Mungara said. "He competes and races all the time as well
as works. He is a fantastic gentleman and I am looking forward to seeing
him again."
Mungara said he would love to win a third Gold Coast Airport Marathon and
set another world masters record.
"If pacemakers do the job and the weather cooperates, running fast on the
Gold Coast is possible," Mungara said.
"I would love to set another marathon (masters) world record, that's for
sure."
Kawauchi will be making his sixth consecutive appearance at the Gold Coast
Airport Marathon and gunning for his second victory.
The popular 30-year-old runner's effort last year, along with his 2013
victory in 2:10:01, are two of the 10 fastest marathon times ever recorded
in Australia.
This year's race will have extra significance for Kawauchi as it will
provide vital preparation for the IAAF World Championships in London a
month later when he will represent Japan.
He qualified for the World Championships by placing third in December's
Fukuoka International Marathon in 2:09:11.
"For me, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, as a IAAF Gold Label race, is a
very important race every summer," Kawauchi said.
"This time (2017) it is very special for me as it will be my final race
prior to the London World Championships."
Kawauchi said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continued to be very popular
amongst Japanese runners because of its calendar date, course and
conditions.
"Because there are no races in Japan and the northern hemisphere during our
summer, marathon runners from Japan are always very keen to join the Gold
Coast Airport Marathon," Kawauchi said.
"The Gold Coast Airport Marathon offers a very attractive race with no time
difference, a flat course and good weather conditions, which are very good
for a runner's body and health."
The confirmation of these two combatants is likely to attract significant
public interest if social media is anything to go by. A video posted last
week to Facebook of the epic finish from last year generated more than
640,000 views and 4,400 shares.
Both Mungara and Kawauchi came to prominence in global marathon circles in
2011 - Mungara placing second in the Prague Marathon in 2:07:36 and
Kawauchi placing third in the Tokyo Marathon in 2:08:37.
These two runners will head a long list of elite runners to be confirmed
during the coming months leading into this year's race.
The 39th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 and
Sunday 2 July.
Set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities,
this year's race program will feature the Gold Coast Airport Marathon over
42.2km, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern
Cross University 10km Run, 5.7km Challenge, Zespri 4km Junior Dash and
Zespri 2km Junior Dash.
To enter or for more information visit goldcoastmarathon.com.au
Kenneth Mungara
Age: 43
Country: Kenya
Personal Best: 2:07:36 (Prague, 2011)
GCAM Best: 2:08:42 (2015)
GCAM Wins: 2 (2015 & 2016)
GCAM Races: 2 (2015 & 2016)
Yuki Kawauchi
Age: 30
Country: Japan
Personal Best: 2:08:14 (Seoul, 2013)
GCAM Best: 2:09:01 (2016)
GCAM Wins: 1 (2013)
GCAM Races: 5 (2012 - 2016)
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