Svetlana ZakharovaSvetlana Zakharova – a long – a long--distance runner.distance runner.

Factfile.Factfile.Full name: Svetlana Zakharova Born: 15th September, 1970Birth place: Ichesner – Ataevo, Chuvashia, RussiaEducation: Chuvash State Prdogochical Institue, 1993Occupation: An officer of Regional Center for Civil Defense and

Emergencies in ChuvashiaSport: a winner and a prize winner of Russian, European and

World Championship, seven-times prize winner of World Marathon Majors.

Favourites:Dish – shchi (cabbage soup)Drink: peach juiceColour – blueCelebration – birthdaySeason – Indian summerHobby: Chuvash embroidery

Born and raised in a small village Svetlana first began running not to be late for school which was 5km far from her village. School races showed that she had a natural talent for running. She took part in local competitions. At the age of 15 Svetlana ran her first All-Union race and became two-times prize winner. She was invited to study at a special school for young athletes in Cheboksary. It was very difficult as she had to study school subjects and spend long hours training for competitions. More than once she was ready to give up and go back to her village. It was Svetlana’s elder sister Albina who made her change her mind.

You could hardly believe that this petite woman is a long-distance runner.Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes

Representing   Russia1997 Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 1st Marathon 2:33:141998 Los Angeles Marathon Los Angeles, USA 5th Marathon

1998World Half Marathon Championships

Uster, Switzerland 13th Half marathon

Los Angeles Marathon Los Angeles, USA 2nd Marathon1999 Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany 3rd Marathon 2:27:08

2000 London Marathon London, United Kingdom

10th Marathon 2:28:11

2001

London Marathon London, United Kingdom

2nd Marathon 2:24:04

World Championships Edmonton, Canada 3rd Marathon 2:26:18

New York City Marathon New York City, USA 3rd Marathon 2:25:13

Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 2nd Marathon 2:30:37

2002

World Half Marathon Championships

Brussels, Belgium 12th Half marathon 1:09:48 PB

Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 4th Marathon 2:21:31

Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 1st Marathon 2:29:08

2003

World Championships Paris, France 9th Marathon

Boston Marathon Boston, United States 1st Marathon

Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 1st Marathon

2004 Olympic Games Athens, Greece 9th Marathon2007 Frankfurt Marathon Frankfurt, Germany 2nd Marathon2008 Olympic Games Beijing, PR China 22nd Marathon 2:32:16

2009World Championships Berlin, Germany 15th Marathon 2:29:55

Honolulu Marathon Honolulu, Hawaii 1st Marathon 2:28:34

It isn’t an easy task to combine sport and a full-time job. Svetlana copes with all her duties perfectly. As an officer of Regional Center for Civil Defense and Emergencies in Chuvashia she often meets with school students. She teachers them fire safety. Students always ask her a lot of questions about marathons.

  And what is more she is involved in public work. She takes part in different contests and helps disabled children. Nevertheless she finds time for her passion Chuvash embroidery which is very complicated.

  If you ask Svetlana what the most difficult thing to do is she would say “To say good-bye to my seven year old daughter when I have to leave for competitions.”

Did you know?Did you know?Marathon distance is 42.195km

long.Every week Svetlana runs 240km.Svetlana is an honorary citizen of 

Honolulu.