Science

Astronaut Sunita Williams preps for space marathon

by Stephen Withers

Monday, 02 April 2007

US astronaut Sunita Williams will be an official entrant in the Boston Marathon on 16 April, despite being in orbit onboard the International Space Station.

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This will be the first time someone in space has officially participated in a marathon, according to NASA officials.

Like all space station crew, Williams must exercise regularly to offset the effects of long term weightlessness. Her training schedule includes at least four treadmill runs a week plus sessions on the stationary bike and resistive exercise machine. She will race on the treadmill, wearing a harness to keep her in contact with the surface.

"I encourage kids to start making physical fitness part of their daily lives," says Williams. "I think a big goal like a marathon will help get this message out there."

According to NASA, Williams' sister Dina Pandya and astronaut Karen Nyberg will take part in the race in Boston. Williams and Nyberg both qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing in the top 100 females in last year's Houston Marathon. Williams' time was 3 hours, 29 minutes, 57 seconds. The fastest female in the 2006 Boston Marathon was Rita Jeptoo, who clocked 2 hours, 23 minutes, 38 seconds, so Williams is unlikely to be a placegetter.

"I didn't want my qualification to expire without giving it a shot," says Williams.

The Boston Marathon is one of the five most prestigious marathons in the world. The others are held in Berlin, Chicago, London and New York.{moscomment}

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