1.   Asari could become the first of a burgeoning group of Japanese women runners to win.

2.   Five or six years ago, there were no Ethiopian women marathon runners, according to the national marathon coach, Yilma Berta.

3.   Hawkins wants to be a top woman runner, but her top priority is being the best mom.

4.   So, is the thirtysomething set of women distance runners in this country like fine wine?

5.   The majority of women road runners, however, run for fun and exercise, rather than competition.

6.   The next day, I swear, my favorite uncrowded jogging path was stampeded by women runners.

7.   By then, Kuscik said, the path seemed to have been cleared for her and other women runners.

8.   Egyptian and Moroccan athletes set records Tuesday at the Arab Games, and judges withdrew the gold medal of an Algerian woman runner for jostling opponents.

9.   Slaney, perhaps the greatest American woman middle-distance runner ever, has never finished higher than eighth in an Olympic race.

10.   The unexpected success of the Chinese women runners prompted accusations of doping, but Ma attributed the achievements to high-altitude training and diet.