Ondieki to Run Comrades Marathon
9 March 1998Durban, South Africa - Lisa Ondieki, one of the best women marathoners in the world, has entered the 1998 Comrades marathon. "We are absolutely thrilled to have Lisa competing as part of our Mr Price Comrades team this year" said Robert du Preez, spokesman for the race's sponsor, Mr Price.
"I certainly think that this will be a whole new era with some of the worlds' top marathoners coming to Comrades," du Preez said. "We see the race as the "senior circuit" of the marathon. Lisa has a very impressive record in road running."
Ondieki has represented Australia in four Olympic marathons. She won a silver medal in Seoul in 1988 and ran her personal best time when she won the Osaka marathon in 1988. Her most memorable experience was her record breaking win in New York in 1992 - the same year that South Africa's Willie Mtolo won. Lisa has run under 2:30 eleven times.
"I am thrilled to be running for Mr Price in my ultramarathon debut," Ondieki said. "What better way to start than the biggest of the lot - the Comrades." She is being coached by Bruce Fordyce, who has won the Comrades nine times. She is scheduled to arrive in South Africa soon with her daughter Emma and will remain there until the race in June.
"My biggest dream is for Emma and I to meet President Mandela - he has been my hero for years. If it takes getting onto the winners podium, then this is what I will have to do!"
Story by Cool Runner: Kevin Tiller.
