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Wire 13, February 19, 2003 In this edition of the Running USA wire: 1) USA
Women's Yokohama Ekiden Team Team USA
California sponsored by Nike Copyright
© 2003 Running USA UPCOMING EVENTS: Yokohama
Ekiden, Japan, February 23 ********************************************* USA Women's Team Selected for Yokohama Ekiden INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field has announced the U.S. women's national team and staff for the Yokohama Ekiden in Yokohama, Japan on Sunday, February 23. For the international road relay over the marathon distance (26.2 miles/42.195K), each team will run six legs from 5K up to 10K. USA Women's
Team - 2003 Yokohama Ekiden Alternate: Michelle LaFleur, 30, Savannah, GA Team Manager:
Mary V. Rosado, New York, NY # # # Defending
Champion Ndungu Headlines City of Los Angeles Marathon Field LOS ANGELES - (February 19, 2003) - An international field of elite athletes will take to city streets for the 18th running of the City of Los Angeles Marathon presented by Honda on Sunday, March 2, 2003. The field will be led by 2001 and 2002 L.A. Marathon winner Stephen Ndungu of Kenya, who became the race's first-ever back-to-back Men's Champion by winning the 2002 race with a personal record of 2:10:27. As Houston Marathon champion from 1998-2000, Ndungu, by winning the L.A. Marathon in 2003, would join very select company alongside such legendary double three-peaters as American Bill Rodgers, who won the New York City Marathon from 1976-79 and the Boston Marathon from 1978-1980, and Katrin Dorre of Germany, who won the London Marathon from 1992-1994 and the Frankfurt Marathon from 1995-1997. Romanian Nuta Olaru, two-time L.A. Marathon runner-up (2000-01), leads the Women's field. The winners will take home from a total prize purse of $125,500 a cash prize of $25,000 and a 2003 Honda Accord EX V-6 valued at $25,300. In the women's wheelchair division, back-to-back champion Ariadne Hernandez of Mexico is set to defend her title. In what will likely be a major highlight of this year's race, the world's top three men's wheelchair athletes will go head to head. Set to return are 2002 winner Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa, who edged out 5-time L.A. Marathon winner Saul Mendoza of Mexico in a statistical tie of 1:28:44 and a photo-finish with five wheelchair athletes crossing the finish line in less than 2 seconds. The Men's elite field, comprised primarily of Kenyans, will include a strong Japanese presence, two promising Americans and a strong field of international competitors. Heading up the field and hoping to beat Ndungu is 2000 L.A. Marathon winner Benson Mbithi, who will be joined by fellow Kenyans including L.A. Marathon veterans Joseph Kariuki (pacesetter with a PR of 2:12:56) and Godfrey Kiprotich (half-marathon PR 1:02:56), along with L.A Marathon newcomers Julius Kimtai (2002 Kenyan Armed Forces 30K Champion), Clement Kipbor Koech (Winner of the 2002 Napoli Marathon), Ibrahim Kipkurui Mitei (PR 2:11:47), David Kiptoo Kirui (PR 2:09:40), Gabriel Muchuri (winner of the New Bedford and Parkersburg Half-Marathons in 2002), August Kavutu (half-marathon 1:01:59), Mark Yatich (PR 2:10:55), Peter Chebet (1st in his Marathon debut at Reims 2:12:12), Hillary Kiptanui (marathon debut L.A. 2003) and Simon Wangai (marathon debut L.A. 2003). Rounding out the field are Jonathan Ndambuki of Kenya (PR 2:10:58; 2nd here in 1998), Andrew Sambu of Tanzania (PR 2:10:14), Gary Staines of Great Britain (PR 10,000m 27:48.76) Japan's Toshiya Katayama (PR 2:11:22) and Takashi Horiguchi (Marathon debut L.A. 2003); as well as Americans Ryan Bolton (PR 2:24) and Ryan Hayes (half-marathon PR 1:08:04). In the Women's field, Nuta Olaru - who finished 7th at Boston '02 in 2:30:26 - will be joined by fellow Romanian Aurica Buia (PR 2:31:39) who placed 4th in the 2000 L.A. Marathon. Rounding out the Women's field are Russians Lioudmila Kortchaguina (PR 2:33:14), Olga Kovpotina (PR 2:27:37), masters great Tatyana Pozdnyakova (PR 2:29), Lidia Vassilevskaia (PR 2:29:23) and Irina Safarova (PR 2:29:20), Kenyan Anna Jelagat Kibor (PR 2:32:18), Zivile Balciunaite of Lithuania (PR 2:33:36) and Kenyan Jackline Torori who brings a 1:12:18 half-marathon personal record to her marathon debut here. The City of Los Angeles Marathon is looking to build on a record year in which 22,167 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes participated in the 2002 race. The Acura L.A. Bike Tour attracted a record 16,392 cyclists. The 5K Run/Walk attracted a record 3,347 participants. The Official Charity Program in 2002 raised $1,957,867 in contributions, nearly doubling the previous record. The 2003 City of Los Angeles Marathon Presented by Honda is sponsored by American Airlines, City of Angels Medical Center, The Gas Company (A Sempra Energy Utility), NBC4, Saucony and Sparkletts. The race will be broadcast live on NBC 4 from 8am to noon and for the first-time in Spanish on KVEA 52, Telemundo's flagship station. Detailed race information is available at www.lamarathon.com # # # Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon "Run for the Money" Sweepstakes NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (February 19, 2003) - The first-ever Run for the Money Sweepstakes, a unique concept that offers the everyday runner a chance to win $100,000, makes its debut at the 2003 Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, April 26 in Nashville, Elite Racing, Inc. announced. The sweepstakes offers one lucky marathoner the chance to win $100,000 and one half marathoner could win $50,000 if their finishing time in the race matches that of a randomly pre-selected finish time. Runners are automatically entered into the sweepstakes when they register for the fourth annual Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, an event that already offers participants a fun-filled experience with high-energy music at every mile and hundreds of cheerleaders lining the course. Should the participants time fail to produce a grand prize match, a first prize amount of $10,000 for the marathon and $5,000 for the half marathon may also be awarded if the lucky runner's time falls within a 15-minute window of the pre-selected finish time. Winners will be announced at the post-race concert at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in downtown Nashville. This year's concert features award-winning country group Diamond Rio as the headliner with special guest Rebecca Lynn Howard. The sweepstakes marks yet another innovative idea produced by Elite Racing, Inc., creators of the musical marathon concept. "We wanted to try something new and different that would benefit the everyday runner," said Tim Murphy, president and founder of Elite Racing, Inc. "Not too many people are ever going to win a prize purse like the elite athletes do when they run. This gives every participant the chance to win and win big. It's a fun, new idea that will add excitement for every participant on race day." A sports marketing and management company based in San Diego, Calif., Elite Racing, Inc. began the musical marathon concept with the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon back in 1998. They have since added the Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, now in its fourth year, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, Va. in its third year, and Rock 'n' Roll Arizona which debuts Jan. 11, 2004. In each race, live bands line the course approximately every mile, creating an atmosphere which led the inaugural Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon to break the world record for the largest first time event with 19,454 participants. The Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon major sponsors are Foot Locker and Reebok. The event will also feature the Country Music Kids' Marathon presented by the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. For official
rules on the Run for the Money Sweepstakes please visit # # # Cellcom Green Bay Marathon Creates "Super Clydesdales" Category GREEN BAY, WI - (February 19, 2003) - As the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon approaches, Race Director Gloria West is recognizing a new group of marathoners. The "Super Clydesdales" category - men who weigh in excess of 250 pounds - will be introduced in the "Marathon for Everyone" set for Sunday, May 18, 2003. "I've had more than five men enter requesting that special category," said West. "As the race director, I love to see it. Their participation strengthens the theme that anyone can do a marathon." Tom O'Shaughnessy is one of those entries. After kicking a "3-pack per day Marlboro habit of 23 years", Tom - called the "Smiling Irishman" - has since completed more than 450 races including marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons and duathlons. He plans on competing in the Green Bay Marathon - a week before his 60th birthday. Tom's goals are to complete a total of 100 marathons and retire at age 70 in Florida. O'Shaughnessy will have competition from two Wisconsinites; Gary Youso, President of Old Fashioned Foods and Mike Dorsey, a former Green Bay Packer. Youso will complete his first marathon at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, a huge feat after undergoing open-heart surgery 16 years ago. For more information on or to register for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon (also a 5K or half-marathon), please call the marathon office at (920) 432-6272 or visit the race website at www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com. Volunteers are also needed.
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