Running: Chicago Marathon being sued

Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 06:30 PM

Ouch!

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's Chicago marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot plans to pursue compensation from the race's organizers after slipping as he crossed the finish line last October.

Cheruiyot, who was taken to hospital for tests after hitting his head, said he had suffered from headaches since the fall.

"Discussions have been going on because I would like them to pay me some money as compensation ... I always have headaches following that fall," Cheruiyot told Reuters.

However, Cheruiyot added that he would defend his title in Chicago.

"I will run because they want me back, being the title holder, but I will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion," said the 28-year-old, who last month won the Boston Marathon for a third time.

Cheruiyot leads the chase for the men's $500,000 prize in the 2006-07 World Marathon Majors, having won all three of the races he has entered. The rolling two-year series finishes with the New York Marathon in November.

"I already have the World Marathon Majors in the bag," Cheruiyot said. "(Martin) Lel can only get 65 points if he wins in New York in November."

Lel, who took his second London Marathon title last month, and Cheruiyot are already eyeing the prospect of adding Olympic medals next year to their tally. I have won in London and New York and I don't think there is anything more to prove," said Lel. "However, I would like to win an Olympic medal and Beijing would be very appropriate.

"I will be in New York again in November and will return to London next year. After that my target will be the Olympics," he said.