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Marla Runyan to Make Marathon Debut at the 2002 New York City Marathon By Sam Grotewold
American 5000-meter indoor record holder Marla Runyan will step up to the marathon distance in November at the 2002 New York City Marathon. Runyan, who has battled a visual impairment since her childhood, became the first legally blind athlete to participate in the Olympic Games at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, finishing eighth in the 1500 meters. Runyan will be competing against a New York City Marathon field of nearly 30,000 for a guaranteed prize money purse of more than $475,000, with $80,000 going to the male and female winners. Runyan has enjoyed an outstanding season so far in 2002, winning the Prefontaine Classic 3000 meters in 8:39.36, the fifth-fastest time ever by an American. A track specialist, Runyan has begun to prepare for the marathon by competing in road races this season, winning the adidas Shamrock 15K in Portland, Oregon (52:20) and capturing the USA 5K title with her win at the Freihofer's Run for Women in Albany, New York, in 15:27. In April, she placed fifth in the highly competitive Cherry Blossom 10-Miler in Washington, DC (53:37). Runyan is a familiar figure to New York running fans. In February 2001 she set the American record at 5000 meters indoors, running 15:07.33 as part of the New York Road Runners Record Challenge series at the Armory Track & Field Center. "We are thrilled to have Marla come run with us again," said Mary Wittenberg, executive vice president of New York Road Runners, steward of the New York City Marathon. "She gave us a phenomenal show when she set the 5000-meter record and we expect similar excitement when she takes on the marathon challenge and races through the streets of New York City." The New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 3, 2002.
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