Sonia savouring Big Apple challenge

SONIA O'SULLIVAN is ready for New York and New York just can't wait.

That was the clear message from the Big Apple yesterday when the long awaited final confirmation of her participation in the New York Marathon on November 3 was announced.

Having medalled at all the major cross-country and track events during an illustrious career, she has finally turned to the marathon and made no secret of her excitement when she made the announcement in New York "It is probably another motivating factor that I needed," she said. "It has meant a change of training and every session I do is a challenge now. It is something I have never done before.

"As well as the race I also look forward to the training."

And New York just can't wait for an Irish winner, according to race director, Allan Steinfield, "Besides being Irish, everyone knows her," he said. "It would be like nothing we have ever had before. We are always excited about athletes breaking barriers and that would be the case here."

Sonia made no secret of the fact that she wants to win the race and she wants to please the crowds who will turn out in their millions 2.5 million turned out last year despite the race being run in the wake of September 11 with the result that every man and woman with a drop of Irish blood wants to savour.

"One of the reasons I chose New York is because it's a real exciting place to run a marathon," Sonia said. "I have been here before when the marathon was on and I saw the build up and all the stuff that surrounds it. I have always said that I would like to do that one day.

"I think for me I need a race where there is a lot of excitement and there is a lot of attention and coverage and talk around it. It makes you look forward to it more. The anticipation is there and you will get everyone out waiting and watching."

"She will be guaranteed a supporter on every corner, " said Steinfield.

Sonia insisted she has not set herself a time target, pointing out that she wants to be competitive and to win the race more than anything else.

She added that when she ran the world record for 10 miles on the road in 51 minutes in Portsmouth two weeks ago she finally made the decision to compete in New York.

"There was a different feeling I got from the race that you don't normally get from track races. I felt that I was trying to hold myself back and really did not run fast until the last mile," she said.

"I think it is probably something you have to learn for the marathon, pace yourself, and at the same time run hard. The real race will begin later on."

She got another rush of adrenalin at the weekend when Lornah Kiplagat, who has marathon wins in Los Angeles, Rotterdam and Osaka as well as second in Chicago two years ago and fourth in Boston last year knocked six seconds off her 10 mile time.

"The first thing I thought was that when we ran here in New York in June she beat me by 40 seconds. Now she was just six seconds ahead of me over a longer distance. At least I am getting closer," she said.

Sonia reckons that while there will be big expectations of her on the day and that is bound to put some pressure on her it will work to her advantage as well. "In Portsmouth I got great support at two or three points. It gave me a lift every time and I expect I will get the same feeling in New York.

"I have heard about points in the race like when you come down First Avenue where the atmosphere is just great and I will be looking forward to that."

She insisted that this marathon will not herald the end of her track career. In fact, she expects her track running to benefit from it.

"One of the big reasons I am running the marathon would be having seen what Paula (Radcliffe) did this year after running the London Marathon, Once she went and did the marathon training which requires a lot more miles at a faster pace she was able to come out and run better than ever on the track. I don't see any reason why I should not be able to do that."

The first prize in New York is $80,000 and a Pontiac Vibe another big incentive to drive her on.

For the first time the women will start on their own ahead of the men. The men's race will include another Cork athlete Mark Carroll who will be making his debut over the classic distance.