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Press conference Highlights (Part 1) - Friday, 2004, September 24
2004-09-24
Felix Limo, Top runner from KenyaWhat do you expect to run when the weather will be good?
„I don’t know a time yet. I want to run as fast as I can and do my best. “
Where and with whom did you have your preparations? „I have trained back home in Kaptagat near Eldoret, together with my training group, like James Rotich. The training was very good and both of my coaches (Patrick Sang und Joseph Chelimo) were happy. I just competed in one race, the half marathon of Rotterdam (1:03:09). But I had problems with my back. Now everything is good again and I am fit to win.”
Why did you choose the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for a race?
„I want to beat my personal best. A lot of people improved their performances here in Berlin, why shouldn’t I improve it here too!”
Since when are you in Berlin and have you seen the course yet?
„I came here last evening and to be honest I spent the whole time in bed. Today I was running a little bit. I don’t want to see the course before, really.”
Joshua Chelanga, Kenya
You are in the same training group as Paul Tergat, what have you learnt from him?
„I have learnt a lot. But he helped also the other athletes, not only me. I learnt how to prepare for a marathon. “
You have also trained with Titus Munji, who cannot compete because of a virus.
„Yes, that is right. He was in a great condition. Unfortunately he caught a virus a few days ago. That’s why he cannot compete on Sunday at the real,- BERLIN MARATHON. When I trained with him I kept his pace and for that I will beat my personal best.”
Michitane Noda, Top runner Japan
The Kenyans are very strong and they want to run the first half in a time of 63 minutes. Do you go along with them?
„I will go along with them and try to keep pace as long as possible. 63 minutes for the first half is not that fast. I have done it before. Maybe it is possible that a Japanese will win the 31. real,- BERLIN MARATHON.“
We have heard you want to become a monk, is it true? „Yes that’s right. It is destiny. I was raised up in a very religious family. After my career I will take over the temple from my father. We have this temple for generations and I don’t want to break the tradition. And it doesn’t matter how good or bad my career will go. Destiny is more important for me.”
Is there any relation between long-distance running in Japan and religion?
„No, not at all. “
You have seen the course on Wednesday. What do you think?
„I have seen it, but I can’t remember anything. Everybody says it is flat with few curves, so it will be good. I want to beat my personal best in any case. The Japanese record would be also a big goal for me. “
Shinichi Watanabe, Japanese top runner
The Kenyans are very strong and they want to run the first half in a time of 63 minutes. Do you go along with them?
„I want to run my own race. When I am feeling good I want to keep pace.”
You have seen the course on Wednesday. What do you think?
„The course is very flat and fast. Like Michitane I want to set a new personal best as well. I am small and won’t have a problem with the wind. I am a good slipstream runner.”
Hannelore Steer, rbb radio (radio Berlin-Brandenburg)
Meaning of the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for the rbb:
„It is very important not only for the rbb. Since 1985 we have a live TV and radio transmission. It is a phenomenal race for Berlin.”
Jochen Sprentzel, rbb television
„There will be a special airplane at the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for the TV transmission. We have also 4 helicopters, 6 stationary stations and three motorbikes.“
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