News

Tsegaye, Dado to chase all-comers record at STWM

August 31, 2010
By Mihira Lakshman

Organizers of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon are thrilled to have confirmations from Ethiopians Tirfi Beyene Tsegaye and Firehiwot Dado for the event, on Sept. 26.

Both are capable of taking down the Canadian all-comers record of 2:26:01, set by Roumania’s Lidia Simon at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton.

Beyene has a personal best of 2:24:51, a time that placed her third at the Paris Marathon this spring. Dado has won the Rome Marathon two years in a row, with a 2:25:28 clocking at this year’s race.

“We’re especially excited about the prospects for our Women’s race this year,” said race director Alan Brookes. “Frankly, our women’s course record is a bit soft [2:28:31]. Historically, our women’s field has not been as strong, nor nearly as deep as the men’s. But that’s definitely not the case this year.

“With so many talented women from a broad range of countries and continents, we’re hoping for a cracking race and a world-class time.”

Ethiopian runners have won the STWM women’s title for the last three years. If anyone runs the fastest marathon ever recorded on Canadian soil, they will earn a $25,000 bonus.

There are about 1,000 spaces still availalble for the race, and you can find registration information at the STWM website.