Abdirahman three-peats as USA 10K champion; more than 50,000 timed finishers at annual 4th of July 10K
ATLANTA - (July 4, 2009) - The professional fields at the AJC Peachtree Road Race did not disappoint as Kenyans Sammy Kitwara and Lineth Chepkurui both took home victories at the 40th running of the 4th of July 10K event on Saturday with finish times of 27:22 and 31:31, respectively. In addition to taking home the top prize at Peachtree, both Kitwara and Chepkurui were eligible for the Professional Road Racing Organization's (PRRO) championship bonus and will split the $35,000 prize bringing each of their total Peachtree earnings to $32,500.
"With unusually cooler temperatures at the start and low humidity, we knew that we would be in for some great races in both the men's and women's fields," stated Tracey Russell, Executive Director of the Atlanta Track Club. "The best of the best definitely came out for the 40th running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race."
Kitwara, 22, who led most of the race, ran a personal best for the 6.2 mile road distance and overwhelmed the field as Ridouane Harroufi of Morocco and Gashu Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia were 40 seconds back in second and third, respectively. Kitwara recently tied the 12K world record at Bay to Breakers and claimed a 10,000 meter victory at the Kenyan Championships (27:44.46) which was the fastest 10,000 ever run on Kenyan soil. When asked about his Peachtree and PRRO championship wins, he simply stated, "I came here to win." The next stop for Kitwara will be the IAAF Track & Field World Championships in Berlin, Germany this August.
Three-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman (left, PhotoRun credit) of Tucson, Ariz. was the first American to cross the finish line in 28:11, clinching his third straight USA Men's 10K title. Abdirahman, who has been battling an IT band injury most of the year, stated, "My goal was to win the [national] title and to do the best in the race that I could." Abdirahman placed sixth overall in the men's field.
On the women's side, the 2009 event proved to have one of the deepest Peachtree women's fields in recent history with Kenyans and Ethiopians dominating the top 10. The lead pack of runners stayed around five deep almost to the finish when Chepkurui, 21, edged out runner-up Meseret Mengsitu of Ethiopia (31:32) and Alice Timbilili of Kenya (31:33). "I wasn't here last year because I was injured," commented Chepkurui. "I'm very delighted about this win."
In the Masters races (40 and older), Yevgeny Sirotin of the Ukraine, 40, beat out Houston resident Sean Wade for the men's title with a time of 30:57, and four-time Olympian and current USA Masters Half-Marathon champion Colleen De Reuck, 45, won the women's crown in 34:27.
With more than 50,000 timed finishers at the 2009 event, the AJC Peachtree Road Race will be one of the largest fully timed road races in the world this year.
40th Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K: USA Men's Championship
Atlanta, GA, Saturday, July 4, 2009
MEN
1) Sammy Kitwara (KEN), 27:22, $15,000#
2) Ridouane Harroufi (MAR), 28:02, $7500
3) Gashu Ibrahim Jeilan (ETH), 28:02, $3000
4) Boaz Cheboiywo (KEN), 28:05, $2500
5) Tesfaye Bekele (ETH), 28:08, $2000
6) Abdi Abdirahman (USA / AZ), 28:11, $11,500 (national champion)
7) Robert Letting (KEN), 28:14, $1000
8) Anthony Famiglietti (USA / TN), 28:15, $6800
9) James Carney (USA / CO), 28:19, $4700
10) Daniel Kipkoech (KEN), 28:38, $600
11) Ian Burrell (USA / AZ), 28:42, $3500
12) Ernest Kebenei (KEN), 28:42, $400
13) Stephen Chemlany (KEN), 28:43, $300
14) Patrick Smyth (USA / UT), 28:49, $1750
15) Ed Moran (USA / VA), 28:50, $1200
Other U.S.
16) Andrew Carlson (USA / AZ), 28:53, $900
18) Forest Braden (USA / WA), 29:04, $800
19) Jason Hartmann (USA / CO), 29:04, $700
20) Stephen Furst (USA / NC), 29:05, $600
21) Antonio Vega (USA / MN), 29:05, $500
22) Justin Young (USA / CO), 29:08, $400
23) Girma Mecheso** (USA / GA), 29:27
24) Jeremy Criscione** (USA / FL), 29:29
25) Josh Moen (USA / MN), 29:30, $300
26) Tommy Neal (USA / CO), 29:33, $200
27) Edwardo Torres (USA / CO), 29:39, $100
#also split $35,000 PRRO bonus with Lineth Chepkurui ($17,500)
**ineligible due to NCAA eligibility
NOTE: Tadese Tola (ETH) who ran 28:05 was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct (Boaz Cheboiywo filed a protest after being elbowed by Tola in the final 30 meters of the race).
MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Yevgeny Sirotin, 40, UKR, 30:57, $1500
2) Sean Wade, 43, USA / TX, 31:05, $1000
3) Paul Aufdemberge, 44, USA / MI, 31:15, $500
4) Paul Mwangi, 42, KEN, 31:46, $300
5) John Reich, 40, USA / AZ, 32:30, $200
WOMEN
1) Lineth Chepkurui (KEN), 31:31, $15,000#
2) Meseret Mengsitu (ETH), 31:32, $7500
3) Alice Timbilili (KEN), 31:33, $3000
4) Abebu Gelan (ETH), 31:45, $2500
5) Amane Gobena (ETH), 31:52, $2000
6) Irene Limika (KEN), 32:11, $1500
7) Edna Kiplagat (KEN), 32:18, $1000
8) Belianesh Gebre (ETH), 32:36, $800
9) Nadia Ejjafini (BRN), 32:43, $700
10) Neriah Asiba (KEN), 32:51, $600
11) Hyvon Ngetich (KEN), 33:01, $500
12) Hirut Mandefro (ETH), 33:06, $400
13) Ilsa Paulson (USA / OR), 33:09, $1300
14) Sally Meyerhoff (USA / AZ), 33:11, $750
15) Allison Grace (USA / NC), 33:12, $500
#also split $35,000 PRRO bonus with Sammy Kitwara ($17,500)
MASTERS Women (40+)
1) Colleen De Reuck, 45, USA / CO, 34:27, $1500
2) Albina Gallyamova, 45, RUS, 35:43, $1000
3) Tatiana Titova, 43, RUS, 35:59, $500
4) Trina Painter, 43, USA / AZ, 36:12, $300
5) Michelle Simonaitis, 43, USA / UT, 36:50, $200
Complete results at: www.AtlantaTrackClub.org
Also announce enhanced coverage of upcoming World Championships
As a prelude to its robust coverage of the 2009 World Championships in swimming, gymnastics and track & field, Universal Sports presents "Pieces of '08, Beijing Stories" featuring many of the inspiring and memorable stories from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The first show, "One World, One Dream," aired Monday, June 22, 2009.
"Pieces of '08" consists of 20 shows airing each weeknight at 7:00pm through July 17, just prior to the start of the Swimming World Championships from Rome, Italy. Encore presentations will be every evening at 11:00pm ET and the following day at 12:00pm ET. Additional shows are scheduled to air throughout the summer.
"'Pieces of 08,' truly captures the magic of the Beijing Games - the competition, the emotions, the behind-the-scenes moments-and lets the viewer relive the Games in a completely new way" said Universal Sports' Executive Producer and Emmy-award winning producer David Michaels. "We pulled from all our resources and created what we feel is a series that will truly strike a chord with our audience and beyond."
Each show is hosted by Jimmy Roberts, NBC's Emmy Award-winning writer and reporter, and follows a different sport, event or athlete through the drama of last August. Including interviews from Beijing and some additional never-before-seen material, the programming relives the best competition events, stories and memorable moments captured by NBC in its coverage of the great Beijing Games of 2008.
"Pieces of '08" offers viewers a look-back at athletes' achievements as a preview to their performances on NBC Sports and Universal Sports at key World Championships in 2009, including the FINA Swimming World Championships (July 18-Aug. 2), the IAAF Track & Field World Championships from Berlin (Aug 15-23) and the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships from London (Oct 13-18).
"These World Championships highlight our continued commitment to year-round Olympic-related programming," said Claude Ruibal, CEO of Universal Sports. "Fans can relive the amazing moments from the Beijing Games, then watch their favorite athletes return to the podium this summer. It's an amazing television line-up for any fan of the Olympic Games."
Gary Zenkel, President of NBC Olympics added, "It's great to have a channel like Universal Sports where we can bring back these great performances from Beijing and highlight the athlete's journey. In addition to being the home of virtually every major Olympic-related sports competition going on outside the Games, Universal Sports will also be a place for the great storytelling that fans have come to associate with NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games."
Visit UniversalSports.com for more information.
Tour of Middle East and commemorative race bibs will salute our troops; on-line registration opens July 4th with one week discount price
WASHINGTON, D.C. - (July 2, 2009) - On the eve of the July 4th online registration launch for the 2010 race, the SunTrust National Marathon announces its participation in an important visit to the Middle East that will encourage our troops in their semi-annual Armed Forces Physical Fitness Test. The Warrior Tours: America's Races Salutes the Troops will conduct seven races over seven days at seven U.S. military bases from July 6 to July 16.
Founded by SunTrust National Marathon announcer Robi Powers, The Warrior Tours has received the backing of over thirty of the top running events in the United States. The SunTrust National Marathon will contribute race shirts, medals and other race supplies to be distributed at the events. Among those joining Powers on this seven day encouragement tour for our troops will be Runner's World magazine's Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso. For more on The Warrior Tours, visit: www.thewarriortours.com
To further recognize those who serve in the armed forces, the SunTrust National Marathon has created a special code on the upcoming online registration form for military and their families. Any individual that falls in the category of Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Dependents, or DOD Civilian Workers can mark MILITARY in the respective box. In return, they will receive a commemorative bib on race day saluting their services to our country.
Online registration for the 5th SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon will begin at 12:01am (EST), July 4, 2009. A one week registration sale will take place with a special price of only $65 for the marathon and only $55 for the half-marathon. Runners can register at www.NationalMarathon.com. The sale ends at 11:59pm (EST) on July 11th.
Fast Facts:
* 5th SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon
* Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7:00am
* District inclusive marathon and half-marathon course
* Fastest flat, looped marathon course in the nation according to Running USA
* Third fastest median marathon time with more than 1,000 runners (behind Boston and Steamtown) according to Running USA
* 2009 Race Gender Breakdown
Overall 51% Men / 49% Women
Marathon 65% Men / 35% Women
Half 44% Men / 56% Women
* Mayor Adrian Fenty - Official 2009 marathon finisher and honorary race starter
* Estimated 12,000 runners expected in only the fifth year of the race
* More than $250,000 dollars raised for charity in 2009
* Boston Marathon qualifier
For more information or to register for the SunTrust National Marathon, go to: www.NationalMarathon.com
Free, award-winning, four-year-old program helps kids become more active
MONTEREY, Calif. - Nearly 6,500 young students completed the 2008-09 school year fitter and with a greater appreciation for making healthy lifestyle choices. The students, from 53 schools throughout Monterey County and across four states, were participants in JUST RUN®, a youth fitness program designed by the Big Sur International Marathon. Aimed at combating childhood obesity through fun running and exercise activities, JUST RUN targets children ages 7-12.
"This is an important time to introduce healthy habits such as exercise and nutrition," said JUST RUN program coordinator, Susan Love. "The kids love the program and get so excited about participating on a regular basis. They experience pride in accomplishment in a safe and non-competitive environment. Every child is successful."
The JUST RUN participants collectively ran and logged 158,000 miles. Ten of the classes ran the equivalent distance of Monterey to Boston and were awarded with a "Run Across the USA" framed certificate. In addition, 9,000 "Just Deeds" - acts of good citizenship - were recorded.
The award-winning program, a Gold Medal recipient of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, has just completed its fourth year. Since its inception, thousands of students have benefited through the activities of JUST RUN, and post-program surveys indicate that students will continue running and exercising throughout the summer, many with their parents.
JUST RUN is a free, website-based program available to any teacher, school or youth group in any locale. For students within Monterey County, JUST RUN offers free, reward-based incentives such as mileage tokens, wristbands, t-shirts and more. Twice a year, the Big Sur Marathon organizes JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K goal races, supported by the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
A colorful and multi-faceted website introduces and explains the program via informative videos and text. It also provides a wealth of information for students and leaders on nutrition and exercise, student login screens for mileage tracking, local race information and much more.
Currently in an expansion mode, the program administrators are in discussions with schools and organizations in Santa Cruz County, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and even South Africa.
"JUST RUN is easy to implement and is available to anyone who would like to have a positive impact on our children and youth," added Love. "It simply requires an enthusiastic leader, a group of kids, a computer, and a place to run!"
For more information on JUST RUN, visit www.JUSTrun.org or contact Susan Love at (831) 625-6226 or susanwlove@sbcglobal.net
