Hungarian has appetite for 5th win

Victoria Sun

Friday, Feb. 4, 2000 | 10:55 a.m.

Hungary's Zoltan Holba speaks very limited English, but he knows a good punch line in any language.

When asked why he has been able to win the Las Vegas Marathon the last four years, he paused to ponder the question that was relayed to him through interpreter and fellow runner Gakab Agnas, then broke into a sly smile before giving his answer.

"He is funny," Agnas replied. "He says he wins four times because he comes four times."

The real reason behind his success?

"Because it is sunny, the weather is good," Agnas said. "Now in Hungary, it is snowing and cold. Here, very good sunshine.

"Beautiful city. It's interesting."

After the gun fires to signal the start of the 34th annual Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday morning at 7:30, things may get a little more interesting for Holba, who says he has had an "easy" time in previous years running the 26.2-mile course.

Al Boka, executive director of the race, estimated there will be 8,000-8,200 runners participating in the event that includes a half-marathon, a five-person relay race and a wheelchair division. Last year's race attracted 6,008 runners.

As of Thursday, there were entries from all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and 35 countries.

Although the prize money for the first-place winners was decreased by $2,000 after the Las Vegas Visitors Convention and Visitors Authority withdrew its sponsorship, Boka is optimistic that the marathon will continue to grow.

"In every aspect, this is the biggest and possibly the best marathon we've ever had," Boka said. "I'm very excited about it. I think we have the possibility of being one of the top 10 marathons in the world."

This year, the competition for Holba definitely looks tougher.

Because the Las Vegas Marathon is a certified race for the Olympic Trials, there is a lot more at stake for many runners than just the $3,000 prize money for the winner of the men's and women's open divisions.

To qualify for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney U.S. team hopefuls such as like Eddy Hellebuyck must finish a certified race in under 2:14.

Hellebuyck, of Belgium, became a U.S. citizen last April. Two others have already nabbed the first two spots for the team, leaving one spot open.

All runners who meet the U.S. qualifying time will race in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 7, which has been designated as the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team trials for the men's marathon.

"What I'm trying to do is put less pressure on myself by qualifying here before the Olympic trials," Hellebuyck said. "I believe that if I can make it under 2:14 here on Sunday, I can make it for sure.

"If I can do it, then at the Pittsburgh Marathon I can run a smarter race instead of worrying about my time and trying to qualify."

The biggest obstacle for Hellebuyck will be the early start time.

"I tell you, at 7 a.m. it's cold," he said. "For me, it is a hard time to get going.

"It usually takes me five to 10 minutes just to warm up and I don't have much time to make up ground."

India's Beeja Ram, who will be making his Las Vegas debut, figures the cold -- or the course -- won't be much of a problem.

Instead of vying for a spot on India's Olympic team (he already has qualified), the 29-year-old from Rajasthen is hoping for a spot in his homeland's record books.

Ram has his sights on breaking the Indian marathon record of 2:11.59.

"This is not hard for me," Ram said of the predominantly downhill course. "I want to break the record because it is 23 years old.

"This is a good place to do it because the course is down, down, down."

The favorites on the women's side will be 1998 winner Joanna Gront of Poland and Elvira Kolpakova of Russia.