Three-time Olympian Diane Nukuri is the favorite at Freihofer's Run for Women

Three-time Olympian, Diane Nukuri, is the favorite in Saturday's race after getting U.S. citizenship. Her American citizenship gives Nukuri, 33, a reason to return to the Freihofer’s Run for Women in Albany, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Saturday. She last participated in 2015, the year before Freihofer’s reverted back to an all-American field. Freihofer’s made the change to support U.S. distance running and in response to international doping scandals that rocked the sport. Nukuri appeared at Acadia Middle School in Clifton Park to talk to students on Wednesday, one of the school visitations by elite athletes for which the Freihofer’s has become known. I’m so excited,’’ Nukuri said. “It was sad that I couldn’t do it the last two years. I’m definitely excited because it’s one of the first races I ran after college at Iowa and I have really good memories of coming and talking to kids and stuff. I’m definitely looking forward to racing and it’s different when you don’t have an international field. I’m just glad I’m part of it.”  The winner gets $10,000.  She came in seventh in her most recent appearance three years ago. This race is short by Nukuri’s standards. She said her best distance is the half-marathon.

posted Friday June 1st