13th international Siberian marathon starting in Omsk

The 13th international Siberian marathon starts on Saturday in Omsk. 50 foreign sportsmen from Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the US, SAR and other countries want to participate in it along with Russian runners.

The region administration reported that the run is supposed to involve the permanent participants - Peter Leffler (SAR) and George Sotbinov (Australia).

Starting will be several winners of the Omsk run of last years. One of them is the record-holder of the Siberian marathon, Eduard Tukhbatullin from Ufa (Bashkiria). Back in 1993 he set a record at the competitions: running 42km 195m took him 2 hours 13 minutes 2 seconds.

The main prize - a Volkswagen car - is to be contested by Russian sportsmen as well: twice winner of the Siberian marathon Mikhail Khobotov from Abakan, 1998 champion Vladimir Netreba from Penza and Anatoly Archakov, the 1997 winner.

Competition will be hard between women too: Anfisa Kosacheva from Novosibirsk, the winner of the 10th jubilee run, and last year's silver medal winner Albina Ivanova from Cheboksary, as well as some other sportswomen are going to compete.