Africans Take On The Great Ocean Road

SUPER SIX SET FOR MARATHON WEEKEND
SIX top-class Africans will contest the 2013 Great Ocean Road International Marathon Festival -
the largest African contingent in the event’s nine-year history.
Joining two-time reigning titleholder James Kipkelwon in the 45km marathon from Lorne to 
Apollo Bay is compatriots John Maluni, Philip Kiplabat Kigen and Pkorir Joel Chepkopol.
Fellow Kenyan Festus Talam, who is coached by Kipkelwon, is also making the trek to Australia. 
The young gun is aiming to become the first athlete in the festival’s history to take out three 
events.
On Saturday, May 18, Talam will compete in the 6km Mizuno run from Apollo Bay to Marengo 
and return, as well as the Geelong Advertiser 14km trek from Apollo Bay to Paradise and back.
He will back-up in the Fagg’s Mitre 10 Half Marathon from Kennett River to Apollo Bay on 
Sunday, May 19.
Festival director John Craven hopes the 18-year-old can pull off the incredible feat, which was
attempted by Jason Woolhouse in 2011, when he won the 6km Marriner’s Lookout race on the 
Saturday but was unable to claim the remaining two events. 
Craven is excited about the quality of this year’s international athletes, with former Burundian 
refugee Donatien Buzingo also adding depth to the marathon field.
Buzingo, who gained South Korean citizenship in 2010, has taken out the Han Gang Marathon in 
Seoul the past nine years, which has a similar course to the Great Ocean Road Marathon.
“He ran a 2.18 on that course, so he should be a genuine contender in this year’s marathon,” 
Craven said.
“The Great Ocean Road International Marathon Festival is certainly living up to its name, with 
overseas entries continuing to roll in.
“Just like locals, international competitors are pouncing on the opportunity to run on one of the 
world’s most stunning stretches of coast.”

Buzingo is a world-class runner who initially ventured to South Korea to compete in the Summer 
Universiade, a tournament organised by the International University Sports Federation.
He sought refuge in Korea when civil war broke out in his home country, claiming the lives of his 
parents.
Buzingo is expected to provide a challenge for Kipkelwon, who is aiming to become the first male 
athlete to notch up three consecutive victories in the Great Ocean Road Real Estate Marathon.
He is also hoping to break his course record of 2.27.42, set in 2011, when he clinched his first 
title.
Kipkelwon’s personal best time in a marathon is 2.15, with Maluni (2.11.53), Chepkopol (2.12.55) 
and Kigen (2.15.57) also holding blistering PBs.
The Great Ocean Road Real Estate International Marathon Festival features six races.
Events cater for participants of all ages and abilities, starting with the Mizuno 6km run from 
Apollo Bay to Marengo on Saturday, May 18.
Other events on Saturday’s schedule are the 14km Geelong Advertiser run from Apollo Bay to 
Paradise and return, while the TAC Wheelchair Athletes’ Challenge will follow the same route. 
Dual Paralympic gold medallist Richard Colman, of Highton, is a leading contender in the latter. 
Rounding out the day is the family-friendly 1.5km Kids’ Gallop in Apollo Bay, which welcomes 
Vetta Pasta as the naming rights sponsor.
On Sunday, May 19, the festival continues with the Faggs Mitre 10 Half-Marathon and the 
headline event, the Great Ocean Road Real Estate Marathon.
Enter online at www.greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au

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