FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jana Allred
(801) 244-1892
ELITE FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR THIRD ANNUAL SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON
International Field Vie to Break Course Records
Salt Lake City, Utah (May 23, 2006) - An elite international field of
world-class runners will be vying to break course records at the third
annual running of the Salt Lake City Marathon on June 3, 2006. These
amazing athletes will compete for a prize purse in excess of $75,000, with
the top male and female winners receiving $12,000 for a first place finish.
Both the men's course record--by Araya Haregot of Ethiopia at 2:15:14-- and
the women's course record-by Poland's Dorota Gruca at 2:30:08-were set in
2005. With the incredibly diverse 2006 elite athlete field including
marathon champions from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine and the United States,
this year's event promises to be a breathtaking race to the finish.
Heading a strong men's field destined to break course records is Philip
Taurus of Kenya. Holding a personal marathon best of 2:08:33 set at the
1999 Suzuki Rock & Roll Marathon, in which he came in first. He was also
the 1998 Rock & Roll Marathon champion and finished second at the Milano
Marathon in 2003. His 2:08:33 best-set on a rolling course in San Diego-is
top in the field and bodes well for a top performance on the Salt Lake City
course. A fellow countryman also running to break the men's course record
will be Jonathan Ndambuki, who took first place at the Big Sur Marathon in
2005 and received his personal best of 2:10:58 at the 1998 Suzuki Rock &
Roll Marathon.
Another Kenyan, Joseph Nguran, enters the race with an impressive personal
best of 2:12:36, which he received at the 2006 Barcelona Marathon. His
other marathon wins include the 2006 Mumbai Marathon and the 2004 Brescia
Marathon. Abrahm Koskei and Daniel Cheruiyot round out a magnificent
Kenyan contingent. Cheruiyot recently took second place in the 2006
Indianapolis Mini-Marathon with a personal best of 1:03:30.
Also vying for first place prize money is Ethiopian Abebe Yimer, a top
competitor from the 'New' Las Vegas Marathon armed with a personal best of
2:13:53 set at the 2006 Austin Freescale Marathon. Fellow Ethiopian Zintu
Sima enters the field with a first place finish under his belt in the 2004
Hartford Marathon, where he set his personal best of 2:18:43.
Similar record-setting drama promises to play out in a very strong women's
field. The international delegation is led by Worknesh Tola of Ethiopia,
who holds a personal best of 2:25:52 set at the 2004 Seoul International
Marathon. She'll be running against Ilona Baranova from Ukraine, whose
spectacular resume includes a second place finish at the Freescale Austin
Marathon in 2006, second in the Baltimore Marathon in 2005, third in the
Vienna City Marathon that same year and a 2004 Lisbon Marathon fist place
finish with a personal best of 2:36:07.
Kenyan, Delillah Osiago is in the running with a personal best of 2:39:13
from the 2006 Dubai Marathon, in which she was the champion. In 1995,
Osiago was the hottest road racer in the world, winning an amazing 13
straight races, including every major road race in the United States. Also
competing will be American Becky Sondag, from Casper, Wyoming. Sondag
finished fourth at the 2005 Salt Lake City Marathon and set a personal best
of 2:50:04 at the 1999 Chicago Marathon.
A record number of participants are expected on 2006 Salt Lake City
Marathon Race Day, June 3, 2006. In addition to the Marathon, new Half
Marathon, 5K and Intermountain Kids Marathon, a full weekend of
complimentary activities abound. Details on race weekend as well as easy
and efficient race registration can be found at
www.saltlakecitymarathon.com. Participants can download entry forms, course
descriptions and entry details.
Editors Note:
Elite Athlete Press Conference will be held Friday, June 2, 2006
Where: Salt Palace Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D at the
Quality of Life Fitness Expo
When: 10:00 a.m.
About Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new
marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was
among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide
in their January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big
Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine
both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude." For race
information, contact Scott Kerr at (801) 412-6060.
About Devine
Devine is a brand name synonymous with excellence in endurance sports,
education and training. The Chicago-based company has fast been building a
national reputation for acquiring and managing world-class athletic events.
The Devine portfolio currently includes the Los Angeles Marathon, the 'New'
Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon and the Banco Popular
Chicago Half Marathon.
Established in 2003 to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to
road racing events in major market cities, the President/CEO is Steve
Miller, former Nike Director of Global Sports Marketing.
The focus at Devine is to create community for runners and endurance
athletes. Committed to the celebration on individual accomplishment, Devine
believes it has the responsibility to deliver the highest level of
professional service in the industry - for participants, sponsors and the
communities where races are held.
Information about all Devine properties, as well as access to unparalleled
industry information, can be obtained at www.devinesports.com or by calling
312/640-9700.
Full Elite Athlete Roster follows
Elite Men's Field
NAME COUNTRY D.O.B. PERSONAL BEST
Joseph Nguran Kenya 1974 2:12:36
Abebe Yimer Ethiopia 2:13:53
Zintu Sima Ethiopia 2:18:43
Jonathan Ndambuki Kenya 1976 2:10:58
Philip Taurus Kenya 1974 2:08:33
Abrahm Koskei Kenya
Daniel Cheruiyot Kenya 1974
Elite Women's Field
Worknesh Tola Ethiopia 1980 2:25:52
Becky Sondag USA 2:50:04
Ilona Baranova Ukraine 1972 2:36:07
Delillah Osiago Kenya 2:39:13
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