Marathon gets worlds off to early start

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 24 (Reuters) The 11th world championships get off to an early start tomorrow morning when 94 marathon runners take to the streets of Osaka hoping to avoid the worst of the sweltering heat.

In the absence of injured double defending champion Jaouad Gharib, local success could well be on the cards in the opening event of the nine-day championships.

Gharib's fellow Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri is favourite for gold but Japan has a rich tradition of marathon running and the likes of Toshinari Suwa, Tsuyoshi Ogata and Wataru Okutani will be keen to impress.

Tirunesh Dibaba, who became the first woman to win the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the same world championship in Helsinki two years ago, gets her attempt to repeat the feat at the longer distance in the evening session.

Mestawet Tufa has the best time of the year with 31:00.27 and is likely to be the biggest threat to her fellow Ethiopian's attempt to become the first woman to successfully defend the 10,000 world title.

Defending champion Adam Nelson is one of two Americans targeting the third gold on offer on the opening day, the men's shot put.

His compatriot and world indoor champion Reese Hoffa is the man in form with his best of the year 22.43 metres, while Dutchman Rutger Smith will hope to improve on his silver from Helsinki.

Tyson Gay, the fastest man this year, will be looking to make his mark on the men's 100 metres when he run in the opening heat.

World record holder Asafa Powell goes in the sixth heat.

REUTERS BJR RN1539