News and Note: March 1 - March 8

Gemechu first Ethiopian runner to test positive for EPO
Olympic marathoner Shetaye Gemechu has received a two-year ban from the Ethiopian Athletics Federation after testing positive for the banned substance EPO. The 29-year old is the third high profile Ethiopian in the last six years to be charged with a doping offense but first to test positive for EPO. She denied the charges in an exclusive Universal Sports interview.

Ethiopia to send team to Qatar despite diplomatic strain
The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) has announced that it will send a team to the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha in March despite strained diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Qatar.

'Rambo tough' Gezhagne eyes Doha gold
Kalkidan Gezhagne may be the best runner you've never heard of. The 18-year old Ethiopian went from never stepping foot on an indoor track to improving world indoor junior records over the mile and 1500m, and grabbing wins in Boston and Stockholm. Now, Gezhagne is eyeing gold at the World Indoor Championships in Doha.

Komen dares Ethiopia's Bekele
World 3,000m record holder Daniel Kipng’etich Komen has dared Ethiopia’s long distance runner Kenenisa Bekele to break his record at the indoor outing in France on Friday.“The record is hard to break. Let him try. I believe he is well prepared as the task would not be a walk in the park. But there was no need for him to announce it,” “I will reward him [Bekele] with a five-acre parcel of prime land within Eldoret municipality should he break the record. And any foreign runner who makes it can take the prize and invest here in Eldoret.”

Bekele back on track with record intentions The Ethiopian, current holder of the fastest times ever indoors* at 2000m and 2 Miles and the indoor World record at 5000m (and outdoors at 5000m and 10,000m) had announced his intention to break the World Indoor 3000m record held by Kenyan Daniel Komen (7:24.90) since 1998.

Bekele unsure of world cross-country participation
Ethiopian distance star Kenenisa Bekele said on Monday he was uncertain of competing in the World Cross Championships in Poland later this month owing to a calf injury.

Bekele and Isinbayeva set for Prefontaine eventWorld record holders Kenenisa Bekele and Yelena Isinbayeva will join American standouts Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards in the July 3 Prefontaine Classic at Eugene, Oregon, organisers said on Thursday.

Adere clocks 1:07:52, Lel beats Wanjiru at New Orleans Half Marathon
Former World Half Marathon champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia won the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon in New Orleans, clocking the fastest time ever run by a woman on American soil for the distance.

Course record for Utura in Addis Ababa World Junior 5000m champion Sule Utura destroyed the course record to take victory in the 2010 Choice Women First 5km in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday March 6.

Tsegay takes Lake Biwa crownBreaking away from the lead pack after 22Km, Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia won the Lake Biwa Marathon on Sunday.

Gebrselassie hones in on third 10km title in ManchesterHaile Gebrselassie will chase a third victory when returning to compete over one of his favourite courses at the Bupa Great Manchester Run – IAAF Gold Label Road Race - on 16 May 2010.

Gebrselassie says Pinoys need role model
Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie says Filipino athletes need a role model in their bid to win an Olympic gold medal. Haile, was there last week during the launch of the G4S 4Teen program where he is the inspirational ambassador. The program groups together 14 of the world’s best young athletes who will be groomed for the 2012 London Olympics.

Other Running News:

When in Rome: Run the Marathon
For tourists coming to discover Rome, one of the best places to visit in Europe, the must visit list generally includes the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Vatican and the Pantheon, but chances are most tourists don’t consider visiting the Eternal City to take part in the Maratona di Roma , the Rome Marathon, held each March. This year’s 16th edition will be held on Sunday, March 21. Marathon is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the victory of Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila in the Rome Olympics Marathon of 1960