FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mungara and Kawauchi to meet again at 41st Gold Coast Marathon
The 2019 Gold Coast Marathon is shaping up to be an exciting one with the
announcement today that long term rivals Kenyan Kenneth Mungara and Japan's
Yuki Kawauchi, who produced one of the closest finishes in the event's
40-year history, will once again face each other.
Mungara edged out Kawauchi by just one second to win the 2016 Gold Coast
Marathon in a finish that came down to the wire with a sprint between the
pair in the finish chute, creating an unforgettable highlight on the
event's timeline.
Gold Coast Marathon CEO Cameron Hart confirmed that both Mungara and
Kawauchi have entered the prestigious IAFF Gold Label Road Race event to be
held on Sunday 7 July.
"I'm thrilled to welcome both men back to the Gold Coast this year, and
along with the rest of the elite field which will be announced shortly,
these great runners will put the race record under threat and vindicate our
position as Australia's fastest marathon," Mr Hart said.
"The duels between these two on the Gold Coast have created one of the
great rivalries in sport in this country and based on recent form, we're in
for another mouth-watering battle.
"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."
Kawauchi was previously known for shunning sponsorship in favour of
continuing his full-time job in administration at a high school near Tokyo
whilst running marathons outside of work hours, however he has recently
accepted sponsorship deals, including with ASICS.
"This coming Gold Coast Marathon is my first marathon as a professional
runner so I'm coming into it having plenty time to focus on my training,"
Kawauchi said.
"I'm challenging myself to achieve my personal best and I'm confident I can
place better than recent years. I am familiar with the course and I know
how to manage my race at the Gold Coast Marathon."
While Kawauchi's 2018 Boston Marathon win put him in the international
spotlight, it's his prolific racing schedule (he's run over 80 sub 2:20
marathons in his career - a world record) and a penchant for costume
running that has also drawn attention, most notably for having run half
marathons in a business suit and a panda costume.
This will be the fifth consecutive year the pair meet on Gold Coast soil,
with Mungara winning three of his four appearances at the event while
Kawauchi has been unable to add to his 2013 Gold Coast Marathon title since
Mungara has been on the scene.
The ageless Mungara is also confident of breasting the tape despite the
challenge from Kawauchi.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Yuki again. It certainly won't be an easy
job defending my track record against him but the rivalry we have built up
on the Gold Coast keeps me wanting to come back and have him challenge me,"
Mungara said.
"The Gold Coast is one of my favourite places to run, not only because
there's such a great atmosphere and ideal running conditions but I've had
great results here."
While Mungara still holds the course and Australian All Comers record of
2:08:42 which he set in 2015, he will need to work hard to defend his title
from Kawauchi who is in good shape this season after his recent hit out at
the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon last month.
Kawauchi's time of 2:09:21 in Beppu bettered Mungara's 2:12:47 in Hong Kong
in February by 3 minutes and 26 seconds, albeit in slightly different
conditions, indicating that this could be the year Kawauchi finally beats
his long-standing rival.
However, a win won't come easily against Mungara who is the single-age
marathon World Record Holder across four separate ages. The 45-year-old
former barber turned marathon runner's fastest marathon to date was in 2011
in Prague where he ran a time of 2:07:36.
If Mungara wins this year's marathon, he will equal Margaret Reddan and Pat
Carroll's records of four Gold Coast Marathon titles.
The Gold Coast Marathon, to be held on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, will
attract 28,000 participants of all ages and abilities from over 50
countries across eight races including the Gold Coast Marathon, Wheelchair
Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University
10km Run, Gold Coast Airport Fun Run and the Garmin 4km and 2km Junior
Dash.
Kawauchi and Mungara on the Gold Coast
Year Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) Kenneth Mungara (KEN)
2018 9th Winner
2:14:51 2:09:49
2017 3rd 2nd
2:09:18 2:09:04
2016 2nd Winner
2:09:01 2:09:00
2015 8th Winner
2:16:23 2:08:42
2014 3rd Did not participate
2:11:27
2013 Winner Did not participate
2:10:01
2012 4th Did not participate
2:13:26
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