IAU – Badza and Herron pre‐race favourites at the 50km World Championships

The 1st IAU 50km World Championships takes place in Doha, Qatar on December 4th 2015. The inaugural championships will be held on Aspire grounds and will feature Shingirai Badza (ZIM) and Camille Herron (USA) as the pre‐race favourites.

The 1st IAU 50km World Championships takes place on December 4th in Doha, Qatar. The inaugural championships will take place on Aspire grounds over a 5km loop.

In the Men’s field, Shingirai Badza (ZIM) is the pre‐race favourite. Having had a stellar season, Badza is looking forward to completing 2015 with a win and securing his status as the world champion over the 50km distance. He has broken the 2:50 mark in 2014 and is looking to replicate his performance.

Zachary Ornelas (USA) has had a good season as well having run 2:52:16 at the USATF championships. He represents a strong US contingent. Harm Sengers (NED) finished on the podium in last year’s 50km World Trophy Final and 2:53 at Winschoten 50km this year.

Mike Fokorani (ZIM) and Niels Bubel (GER) will be up with the leaders as well in this field as both have run strong times in 2015 and will be competing for one of the podium finishes.
In the women’s field, the newly crowned 100km world champion Camille Herron (USA) will be leading the field. Interestingly her best 50km (3:24:55) has been a 100km split in her win at the world championships.

No doubt she can go faster in the stand alone distance and will be hoping for a national
record on Friday.

Kelly Ann Varey (AUS) will be hoping for a strong run as well with a 3:31:55 this year. Marija Vrajic (CRO) will be going for another podium finish having run an outstanding race in Winschoten to take the bronze medal.

Catrin Jones (CAN) last year’s bronze medallist from the 50km World Trophy Final and Nikolina Sustic (CRO) an outstanding marathon runner will have strong run as well. Catriona Jennings (IRL) making her ultra debut with a 2:36 marathon will be going for the one of the podium finishes.

The race starts at 6pm (Doha Time). The field is excellent for the first 50km World Championships and it is going to be an outstanding event.

Nadeem Khan
IAU Director of Communications

There are several ways you can follow the race:

Live Updates: www.iau-ultramarathon.org Life Steaming (3 cameras): www.lifeinaspire.qa/live Live Timing: Link will be posted on IAU website Twitter: @iaunews and @aspire zone Hashtag:  #50kmQatar Instagram: @aspirezoneqa Facebook: Facebook.com/AspireZoneFoundation Snapchat: aspirezone