2004 K2 Busan Half Marathon

2004 K2 Busan Cup Half Marathon
Busan, Korea, April 25, 2004
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How'd you like to skate out your front door to the start of a huge race? 5,000 racers pulled up to the line with engines revving for Svenny's race, the K2 Busan Cup Half Marathon in Busan, South Korea, April 25, 2004.

With brand new pavement in many sections along an eye-poppingly scenic riverside highway, the course was flat, fast, and fun. TWINCAM skater Eddy Matzger took advantage of a stiff headwind on the way out to hammer hard and make the pack chase.

Within striking distance at the turnaround, the pack never fully joined forces and Eddy kept surging until he was out of sight. Only the TV truck with its long boom could get close.

There was no question as to who was first over the line, but it was politics as usual up on the podium. A guest skater was invited to compete, able to race for his sponsor and put on a show for the Korean fans, but ineligible for prizes or podium placements. The K2 team could take care of that.

Never count your chickens before they hatch, though, because even the best made plans can be laid to waste. In an ironic twist, a non-K2 Korean skater managed to slip away down the final stretch and arrive just ahead of the pack to steal the thunder.

Boom time	Pack sprint	Finish chute
K2 boys	Start line	First km's
Sucking wind	Women's finish	Power surge
Speed Cho	In the pack	Club scene
Signing party	Jake	Tent city

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