Brasília, January 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil's Marilson Gomes dos Santos is the big attraction at the San Fernando Race, which will be held tomorrow (6) in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The Uruguayan race always draws the principal competitors from the São Silvestre Race (held in São Paulo on December 31), and Marilson will try for another victory, precisely over the distance he prefers, 10 kilometers.

The San Fernando competition marks Marilson's first official event in the 2004 season. His goal is to achieve the index necessary to qualify for the marathon race at the Athens Olympics, and he decided to participate in the San Fernando event immediately after winning the race in São Paulo. "I had already received an invitation, but my decision was made right after São Silvestre. It is a high-level race and will have very strong contenders. It is a 10-kilometer São Silvestre (which is run over a distance of 15 kilometers)," the athlete points out.

Besides Marilson, the San Fernando event will include other national stand-outs, such as Rômulo Wagner da Silva, second-place at São Silvestre; Clodoaldo da Silva, tenth-place; Márcia Narloch, best among Brazilian women finishers at São Silvestre, in third-place; Ednalva Laureano, fourth place; Adriana da Silva, sixth; and Nadir Sabino, seventh. Ednalva was champion in Uruguay in 2003 and will try to repeat her victory.

The Kenyans will also be on hand. Among the men, Robert Cheruiyot, winner of the São Silvestre in 2002 and fourth in 2003, and Yusuf Songoka, fifth. Joseph Ngeny and Benson Cherono will be fighting for the title as well. Among the women, Deborah Mengich, who finished second among the women at São Silvestre in 2003, is certain to be present. (DAS)