Harlem Gives Props to Hungary

Nicola Bamford for European Athletics penned a very cool article about that womena below, Aniko Kalovics - I have excerpted a little, check the link for the full article, she says Aniko Kalovics embodies a one-woman battle to promote the sport she loves in her homeland Hungary and subsequently gain the distinction she so richly deserves. With sports such as soccer and water-polo taking precedent in the Hungarian psyche, Kalovics' believes that her athletics achievements have been some what under-acknowledged by the public in recent years; causing the Szombathely-born runner to switch allegiance to an Italian club; Co-Ver Mapei in 2004.
Mud, road or mountain, no terrain is too tough for this endurance enthusiast."The Hungarians do not see road running as being of equal importance to track and cross-country," the prolific road-runner explains, "they see road and cross-country running as the lowest point of athletics. I have never been ‘athlete of the year' but I've run a national record every year and you can read about me on the IAAF website almost every week." Regardless of the frustrating lack of encouragement, the Hungarian record-holder at 10km up to the half-marathon is adamant on remaining loyal to her roots, "I am not famous but like it like that. People know me more abroad than in my home-country, it's a typical Hungarian story. But the road races abroad are becoming more popular and in Hungary too." And Kalovics knows the road scene better than most, since establishing herself amongst the global elite in distance running, "I am very proud of my Hungarian half-marathon record in Milan and my performance in the 2007 Great North Run," the 2006 World road running 11th placer reveals. Boasting personal bests of 68:58 (half-marathon) and 2:26.44 for the marathon, Kalovics has truly catapulted herself onto the athletics radar - all of these accomplishments are detailed on her insightful website, Flash-forward to the present and the outgoing Hungarian is looking ahead to realising her marathon dreams. "My future is the marathon; I hope to become a very good marathoner and my dream is London 2012," divulges Kalovics. "After London, I'd like a baby and after that, if I still have pleasure in running, I will compete until I'm 40.[END]. Great attitude, great spirit check her out.