ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

November 2, 2003

Martin Lel

Margaret Okayo

MARGARET OKAYO: No. First I all, I come in here alone because first of all, I thank the Lord and the sponsors who were in the race. You are the ones who make the race to be great. I didn't know I was going to break my own record but I was just trying to do my best. (Inaudible).

MARGARET OKAYO: I know I was just going but when I finish (inaudible).

MARGARET OKAYO: Yeah, I was feeling fine.

MARGARET OKAYO: Yeah, I say that the marathon of 2001 I started to push from 16 miles. Today I said let me try to see if I can make it again.

MARGARET OKAYO: Yeah, I make the second push to see whether they are going to respond, but by good luck I went, they didn't push again.

MARGARET OKAYO: I was not sure whether they were to come but I was just laying on my own legs. Fortunately, lucky I was the winner.

MARGARET OKAYO: Excuse me?

MARGARET OKAYO: I was just going but I don't know whether it was -- I was just going, like, it was the fast one mile.

MARTIN LEL: Yes, for sure, it was very difficult for me to run with them because, marathon was very strong so I was back of them because 10 of them were very strong, so I had to work on myself as the race is going.

MARTIN LEL: Sorry?

MARTIN LEL: Yes, when I was 13 miles I was being stepped on by a Kenyan guy, at the same time when I was looking back, I was being scared to see how my champions of last year was still around so I been scared of them, so I had to look -- thought they were still close, so for sure they were still close.

MARGARET OKAYO: I don't know whether I will go or not, but I hope I would.

MARGARET OKAYO: I hope so. I am going to try. I don't know if I will make them or not, but I am going to try.

MARTIN LEL: Yes, when I was trying to walk with my friend Rodgers Rop, I thought he was very strong so I was really scared, so when I tried to strike one step, I had to see whether it could really react. As long as I try to sprint I didn't see any reaction, so I had to push and I saw that I was lucky enough to be in front.

MARTIN LEL: With me I was very grateful because I didn't think I would win the race because I understand that this race, being the biggest race all over the world, so I was being scared, or surprised for me to find out that I really won the race.

MARGARET OKAYO: Most of the year I stay in Italy because it is comfortable for me to concentrate on my training.

MARTIN LEL: Yes, sometimes I train in Italy for some time and sometimes I train in Kenya.

MARGARET OKAYO: Yeah, because I was training for this race. When I finished, I was very happy. I was excited to cut the rope on the finishing line.

MARGARET OKAYO: I was praying to God because he is there for me for all the time coming to the finishing line.

MARGARET OKAYO: We are excited for winning here, also on behalf of Fila, our sponsors, $100,000 to the Street Children to help for the orphans from here.

MARTIN LEL: With me I am also very happy because for sure we are representing our country. We're given the opportunity to assist the orphan children who are not able to assist themselves and also to the young children.

MARTIN LEL: No. You know, for sure when I took Rodgers Rop, I was excited because I didn't know whether I would be able to drop him. It was a surprise to me when I drop him. At the same time I was really happy because I didn't saw that I would be able to win the race.

MARTIN LEL: For sure I was very happy because in my mind I was near to Rodgers Rop because for sure we are about to finish, and then when I was trying to check Rodgers Rop. He was still close, so we had to fight and at the end. But fortunately when I saw him -- when we were about 25 miles, my surprise, I tried to look back and Rodgers Rop was a bit behind so I was happy and I tried to sprint one more stint to see whether he can get there. But for sure, I was lucky enough to be in the front of him.

MARTIN LEL: I was really, really happy.

MARTIN LEL: Sorry?

MARTIN LEL: Yes, for sure the fastest half of the race, (inaudible) there was no one to push because everywhere was, let us say, that they were nearing each other, that's why anyone cannot try to take off or try to go in front. At the same time maybe the problem was (inaudible) we had to go by the pacemakers. Maybe that's the reason why the first half was a bit slow.

MARGARET OKAYO: Yeah, I am excited for that one because when I come for New York, it is even if I go for, I will do my best because I want to come here.