Due to a failing phone line during some operations a wrong story was for a few minutes on UltraNED. Sorry for that.
After 20 hours the number of runners over 200K was already 18; after 21 hours this is increased to 35 already. I do not believe the number of runners above 200K will reach the three digits, but it will be close to that. We are not only watching the first World Championships (not counting Milton Keynes in 1990), but it we be the best 24 hour race ever up to now with that number of good runners.
The problem around Nunes seems to be solved. He is not competing in the World Championship, so he will most probably win the open race.
Men
Sekiya JPN 237K5 / 20:59
Beckers BEL 235K0 / 2:45
Van Acker BEL 232K5 / 20:49′
Women
Berces HUN210K0 / 20:43
Reutovich 207K5 / 20:56
Semur FRA 202K5 20:53
Eremina RUS 202K5 / 20:55
Full lists on http://www.dekeien.nl
Probably over 80 runners will exceed 200K including almost 10 women!
I just talked to Gerard Stenger and Malcolm Campbell, who were very happy with the increased level of 24 hours. Next year Apeldoorn (Netherlands) will have the World championships and later that year Winschoten for WC 100K. During the IAU congress a special meeting for the record committee will be arranged as well.
Anton Smeets
ton.smeets@ou.nl