New York City Marathon 2010 - International Men

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New York City Marathon 2010 - Men's Bios
By Sharon Ekstrom

See Also: Men's Race Preview and Starters List

Meb Keflezighi | Haile Gebreselassie | James Kwambai | Abel Kirui | Abderrahim Goumri | Emmanuel Mutai | Hendrick Ramaala | Marilson Gomes dos Santos | Dathan Ritzenhein | Jorge Torres | Gebre Gebremariam | Peter Kamais

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Keflezighi winning 2009 ING NYC Marathon

Meb Keflezighi
Age: 35
Country: USA
Already a legendary American marathoner, Meb Keflezighi is back in New York to defend his title. Keflezighi's early career was highlighted by high school and NCAA awards, cross-country championship wins, and the American Record at the 10000m (27:13.98, since beaten in May 2010) and a credible performance in the 10,000m Olympics in Sydney. Keflezighi, previously a 10,000m specialist had made the 2004 Olympic team in both the 10,000m and Marathon, but chose to "become a marathoner" and run the one event ending with a silver medal performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics in challenging conditions. A string of successful performances were to follow at the 2004 New York City Marathon (2:09:53, 2nd place), the 2005 New York City Marathon (2:09:56, 3rd place) and 2006 Boston Marathon (same time as New York!: 2:09:56, 3rd place).

Beginning in late 2006, Keflezighi struggled through setbacks from injury and although expected to be a shoo-in to make the 2008 Olympic team, Keflezighi's injuries caused the defending silver medalist to fail to make that team. With two non-descript injury-plagued years (2007 and 2008), many thought Keflezighi was done... But what made Keflezighi successful in his running - one of the strongest spirits and greatest toughness in the sport - let Keflezighi continue to rebuild, culminating in a 2009 that was filled with personal bests, national championship titles and major event victories.

Keflizighi's 2009 achievements started with a strong win, personal best and National Half Marathon title at the Houston Half Marathon; winning the National Cross-Country title; personal best at the 2009 London Marathon (2:09:21); strong win at the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half-Marathon (61:00) culminating with an incredible victory and personal best (2:09:15) at the 2009 New York City Marathon against a tough and deep field on a tough course - also his first marathon victory and the USA Men's Marathon Championship.

Fresh off the New York City Marathon win, Keflezighi's sole focus for early 2010 had been the Boston Marathon and an attempt to grab the first American victory in thirty years. While he ran Boston just eleven seconds shy of his personal best, he ran Boston against one of the fastest fields ever assembled in the history of the event at which the course record was smashed in a blistering 2:05:52 and Keflizighi had to settle for fifth place. Keflezighi, with his sights on New York, won the Rock 'N' Roll San Jose Half Marathon in October in 61:45, 45 seconds slower than the race of the prior year and leaving a few questioning if that meant Meb's conditioning was off.

As Keflezighi returns to New York to defend his title; he will be challenged by three of the fastest marathoners in the world including the world record holder in the distance, Haile Gebrselassie. But one should never put too much value in race finishing times alone, especially in the marathon distance. Given the New York City course, Keflizighi has the mastery to take on the challenging city streets for this is not a "time trial" course with pacesetters which some other runners are accustomed to. Plus, Keflezighi has something many of his competitors are lacking...the heart and passion for the sport along with the fortitude and focus within it - to meet adversity and injury and overcome it. He is more than a worthy role model, he is a hero.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Gebrselassie at 2010 NYC Half Marathon

Haile Gebreselassie
Age: 37
Country: Ethiopia
There is no distance runner more decorated than the legendary Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia. Gebrselassie earned his first world title in 1993 and his fame in the 1990s was so great that in 1999 Disney created a feature film about the athlete entitled "Endurance" (sadly it was not a commercial hit). Most athletes would fade after a decade of greatness, but Gebrselassie has only added more and more honors to his credit in the first decade of the 21st Century.

Gebrselassie's marathon world record of 2:03:59 from the 2008 Berlin Marathon was only the most recent world record or national record for this athlete. He has now set 25 world records in his illustrious career with a total of 15 medals at the Olympic Games (2), World Track & Field Championships (7), World Indoor Championships (4), World Half-Marathon Championships (1), and World Cross Country Championships (1). Previously a 5000m and 10000m specialist, Gebrselassie has focused on road racing and the marathon since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Gebrselassie debuted at the marathon at the 2002 London Marathon (3rd in a "disappointing" 2:06:35), and he came into his own when he captured the 2006 Berlin Marathon in 2:05:56, becoming only the fifth man to ever break 2:06. In addition to four straight wins in Berlin, he has also claimed marathon victories in Amsterdam (2005), Fukuoka, Japan (2006), and Dubai (2008, 2009, 2010).

Gebrselassie has won well over 100 races, including ten of out of 11 career Half Marathon races. In the Half Marathon, Gebrselassie has run more sub-60 finishes than any other man, most notably a world record 58:55 (2006 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona) and most recently 59:33 (2010 at the Great North Run - the fastest recent Half Marathon performance of anyone in the New York City Marathon field).

While his best marathon performances have been limited to Berlin and Dubai, Gebrselassie told us at a press event announcing his participation in New York City Marathon that he was looking to win such an esteemed race to add to his accomplishments. Gebrselassie has raced at shorter distances in New York City twice before: at the 2007 New York City Half Marathon where he set a course record of 59:24 and in at the 2010 where he DNF'd. Many of Gebrselassie's recent marathons have been setup with personal pacers for world record attempts and few other real competitors - the New York City Marathon will be very different. Certainly the other top runners in the field will have Geb on their radar.

Olaf Kraak/AFP: Kwambai at 2010 Rotterdam Marathon

James Kwambai
Age: 27
Country: Kenya
Soft-spoken James Kwambai has slowly worked his way up in the marathoning world, proving that hard work does pay off. Having run one of his first marathons at the 2006 Brescia Marathon at the age of 20 and taking the victory in 2:10:20, Kwambai has had six top 5 finishes at marathons since, most notably runner-up at 2007 Boston Marathon (2:14:33, during a Nor'easter), 5th at the 2007 New York City Marathon (2:12:25), 2nd at the 2008 Berlin Marathon (2:05:36, behind Haile Gebrselassie's world record) and 2nd at the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon (2:04:27, sharing the same time and Kenyan National Record with leader Duncan Kibet, as well as sharing the honor of the second fastest time ever run at the marathon).

There was no question of his talents at the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon as he was slightly edged out in a by his training partner Duncan Kibet in a sprint finish where both crossed the line in 2:04:27 and both are credited as Kenyan National Record Holders in the marathon, a worthy accomplishment given the great numbers of top distance runners from the country.

At the 2009 New York City Marathon, Kwambai pushed for a punishing pace at mile 18 destroying the field and perhaps his own race with a blistering 4:48 mile split which had its consequences as he reached mile 21 / 35K mark and dropped out of the race for reasons unknown. At the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon, Kwambai returned to the race as the favorite in the field having achieved 2:04 in 2009. In good health, he targeted the world record; yet, Kwambai failed to perform well finishing 20th in 2:24:07. One can only wonder what will be in store for the top Kenyan in the field, as the New York City Marathon approaches.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kirui at 2010 London Marathon

Abel Kirui
Age: 28
Country: Kenya
Abel Kirui certainly came into form in 2009 beginning with an incredible personal best finish at the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:05:04. This 3rd place finish put him in the top 10 all-time best marathon performances. Part of the new generation of young Kenyans racing the clock, Kirui who had been "one-to-watch" solidified his reputation as a serious competitor at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin where he set a fast pace early on, then taking the lead and never fading. He won gold on a warm day in a super fast 2:06:54.

Kirui began his marathoning career with some unremarkable finishes at his first two marathons in 2006 at the Berlin Marathon (2:17:47) and the Singapore Marathon, (2:15:22). A defining moment in his career came when Kirui returned to the 2007 Berlin Marathon as a pacemaker to assist Haile Gebrselassie to his 2:04:26 World Record run. Race officials allowed Kirui to finish the race and he finished as runner-up in 2:06:51. Successful as a pacer, he did the same for "Geb" at the 2008 Dubai Marathon and the 2009 Berlin Marathon. In the interim, Kirui experienced his first victory at the 2008 Vienna Marathon (2:07:38)...And the rest is history.

Kirui is now ranked ninth fastest marathoner in the world - one spot ahead of Sammy Wanjiru. Yet, so far for 2010, Kirui has two completed races that were less than stellar performances - 13th at the Sapporo Half Marathon in 64:17 and 5th at the London Marathon in 2:08:04. Could Kirui be saving himself for his battle against Haile Gebrselassie in New York? Or has this young twenty-eight year old already seen his prime? If Kirui doesn't step up to the challenge of trying to improve his performances, the younger generation will be eager to eclipse his successes with faster times.

MarathonGuide.com: Adbderrahim Goumri at London Marathon

Abderrahim Goumri
Age: 34
Country: Morocco
Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco remains a favorite and is clearly one of the top marathoners in the 2010 New York City Marathon field with a personal best of 2:05:30 from the 2008 London Marathon. An inveterate challenger who has taken on highly competitive fields without hesitation, he was first seen taking on Martin Lel in the last mile of both the 2007 London Marathon and the 2007 New York City Marathon, but was outkicked each time - losing by three seconds in London with a 2:07:44 debut finish and twelve seconds in New York with a 2:09:16. In an act of redemption at the 2008 London Marathon, Lel and Goumri were at it again, along with then newcomer to the international marathon circuit Sammy Wanjiru. Lel and Wanjiru out-sprinted Goumri in the last 500 meters, yet all three smashed the London course record set by former Moroccan national, Khalid Khannouchi, in 2002.

At the 2008 New York City Marathon, he was once again runner-up, this time to Marilson dos Santos (BRA) in 2:09:07. At the 2009 Chicago Marathon, Goumri deviated from his front-running style to ignore the rest of the field and run exact even splits eventually passing all but one runner to finish in 2:06:04 as runner-up to Sammy Wanjiru (KEN)'s course record. Sensing a trend here? In a surprising change of venue, for 2010 Goumri opted to run his spring marathon in Boston taking on the Newton hills, rather than the flat, fast streets of London. He started the race having had a slight injury in the months leading up to the event and the blistering pace took its toll on him. Near 30K Goumri dropped out of the race. For the rest of 2010, Goumri kept it simple. Making a full recovery, he ran the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon (formerly the Philly Distance Run) taking third in a personal best finish of 61:33. His eyes are set on a victory in New York. "It is my time. This year could be my year!" he declared in Philadelphia moments after the race.

Goumri is well aware of the caliber of the 2010 New York City Marathon roster and his preparations have gone well. Two years ago, this sixteenth fastest marathoner in the world had been one of the first men to achieve a 2:05 finish. Today 2:05 is nearly a requirement for certain high profile elite races. With Goumri's proven talents at the New York City Marathon, this two-time runner up may finally get his win.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Mutai at 2010 London Marathon

Emmanuel Mutai
Age: 26
Country: Kenya
With four 2:06 marathons by the age of 26, Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai may not be the fastest or the most experienced marathoner, but his four sub 2:07 marathon finishes from the 2007 Amsterdam Marathon (2:06:29, 1st) and his three finishes at the London Marathon in 2008(2:06:16, 4th), 2009 (2:06:53, 4th) and 2010 (2:06:23, 2nd) make him a noteworthy contender in the field.

Without being a familiar name in marathon racing, Mutai has flown under the radar and his improving performances have begun to resonate. At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin he showed his strength in the marathon distance, as he was one of the only competitors able to keep up with Abel Kirui's pace earning him silver (2:07:48) and led to a Kenyan team victory. In 2010, Mutai completed three half marathons - the Discovery Half Marathon (61:13) and most notably the Lisbon Half held in spring (60:03, 3rd place) where he beat Duncan Kibet, the Kenyan marathon record holder, by almost 20 seconds and the slightly warm conditions of the fall Lisbon Half (63:18, 5th place). Mutai proved himself in the marathon distance on the 2010 London Marathon course as runner-up behind one of the most consistent marathoners to date winner of Amsterdam, Fukuoka, London and Chicago Marathons, Tsegaye Kebede.

In his first race in the USA Mutai is not the fastest in the field and he will be unaccustomed to the roads of New York City; but his consistency may well pay off if he finds himself comfortable with the leaders on race day.

MarathonGuide.com: Ramaala at 2010 NYC Half Marathon

Hendrick Ramaala
Age: 38
Country: South Africa
South African Hendrick Ramaala is an inveterate challenger on elite rosters with over ten years of marathoning and 25 marathons to his name. This two-time Olympian is a prolific runner, collecting accolades such as two silver medals at the 1998 and 1999 World Half-Marathon Championships and nine top five marathon finishes. Yet, he only has two marathon victories to his name - from the 2004 Mumbai Marathon and 2004 New York City Marathon. He has raced in London (8 times) and New York City (8 times) going up against top distance runners like former marathon world record holders Paul Tergat and Khalid Khannouchi and Olympic medalists alike.

Known for aggressive tactics, Ramaala tends to be a frontrunner setting the early pace for the leaders and also the one who breaks up the pack with quick surges signaling the true start of the race. His efforts are invaluable to his fellow competitors and race directors alike in races with and without pace setters.

Although his first attempt at the 26.2 miles at the 1999 Chicago Marathon led to a DNF by the halfway mark, he was on fire in the half-marathon distance being able to challenge then half marathon world record holder, Paul Tergat. But in his first years of marathoning, Ramaala only averaged 2:11 finishes before seeing a series of improvements - more notably at the New York City Marathon which he won in 2004. He returned to defend his title in 2005 as a favorite in the field alongside Tergat who had since become the marathon world record holder with a 2:04:55 at the 2003 Berlin Marathon and Meb Keflezighi silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Ramaala employed a series of surges and what unfolded was one of the closest finishes the New York City Marathon has ever seen - Ramaala dropped the hammer and began a sprint within the last 400 meters of the race. Tergat responded as the two headed for the finish. The Kenyan captured the win in three-hundreths of a second, as Ramaala tumbled to the ground in a last ditch effort. No other runner would rival Tergat in those distances during those years until Haile Gebrselassie started to compete in the 26.2 miles.

Ramaala never lost hope, even in 2008 when the South African had a down year - a string of disappointments beginning with the London Marathon where a crop of newcomers entered the marathon arena eager to clock speedier times. Later that summer, he ran the 2008 Beijing Games in one of his slowest marathon times - 2:22:43. And he struggled at the New York City Marathon finishing in twelfth place. Many speculated that his career was over; but a discouraged Ramaala did not fade from the scene. In 2009, despite a positive outlook Ramaala was 5th at the London Marathon (2:07:44) and 6th at the New York City Marathon (2:12:30). And so far in 2010, Ramaala was 11th at the Lake Biwa Marathon (2:15:29) and 7th at the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon (2:14:45). But comebacks especially at the New York City Marathon have proven to be possible as seen in the 2009 race. And success throughout a career span cannot be measured simply by the list of wins and fast times. Once quoted as saying, "I'm going to compete, I always go all out for a win in any competition." - Ramaala will go into race day, as he always had - determined to win.

Scott Winnier for MarathonGuide.com: Dos Santos wins 2008 NYC Marathon

Marilson Gomes Dos Santos
Age: 33
Country: Brazile Two-time champion of the New York City Marathon Champion, Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, will be returning to the start line of the New York City Marathon for the fifth time. Having flown under the radar in most marathon fields, his performances at world class races remain unremarkable given the rising caliber of talent in marathons worldwide - such as the 2004 Chicago Marathon in 2:08:48 (6th place), the 2005 World Championships in 2:13:40 (10th place), 2008 Beijing Olympic Men's Marathon (DNF), 2009 World Championships in 2:15:13 (16th place), 2009 New York City Marathon (DNF), 2010 London Marathon in 2:08:46 (6th place).

Yet, it was in 2006 when Gomes dos Santos snuck away from the lead pack at the New York City Marathon to win in 2:09:58. That year no one in the field knew who he was, and the Brazilian was able to repeat his victory once again in 2008 (2:08:43). With a personal best of 2:08:37 from the 2007 London Marathon and one sub-60:00 half marathon finish at the 2007 World Championships Half Marathon (59:33, 7th place), dos Santos may not need to be the fastest in a field given his experience and some time talents on the streets of New York. Anything can happen in a marathon. And if the leaders who are capable of 2:05 finishes don't start at a blistering pace, Gomes dos Santos who has found a winning race strategy in New York City can surprise the field for the third time.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Ritzenhein at 2010 USA Cross Country Championships

Dathan Ritzenhein
Age: 28
Country: USA
At age 27, Two-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein has had quite a running career, despite only four marathons and five half-marathons on his resume. This cross-country star went to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the 10000m but a stress fracture to the third metatarsal in his left foot forced him to drop out during the event. The constant recurrence of the injury has hampered training over the years; but Ritzenhein's talent on the roads continued to blossom.

In 2006, at his half-marathon debut at the Great North Run, Ritzenhein placed third in 61:25 beating out veteran runners, Jauoad Gharib, Stefano Baldini and Rodgers Rop. In his marathon debut at the 2006 New York City Marathon, he finished eleventh in a 2:14:01; not bad, considering he lost to the likes of Paul Tergat, Rodgers Rop, Stefano Baldini, and Hendrick Ramaala. His second career marathon was the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Trials in New York City where he ran a 2:11:07 on a tough criterium course earning him second place and a spot on the 2008 U.S. Beijing Olympic Marathon team. His third career marathon was the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he placed ninth overall and top American ahead of teammate Ryan Hall.

In 2009 Ritzenhein finished 2nd behind Meb Keflezighi at the US Half Marathon Championships (61:35) then headed to the London Marathon where he ran a personal best time of 2:10:00 (11th place). Ritzenhein changed gears and coaches and began training under running legend Alberto Salazar. He refocused his training, opted out of a fall marathon and returned to the track competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m distance worldwide. With a 2nd place finish at the 10,000m USA Men's Championships in Eugene, Oregon and a 6th place at the 10,000m World Championships behind the fastest African 10,000m runners today, he seems to be getting his speed back. Ritzenhein then went on to set a new American record (12:56.27) in the 5,000m at the Weltklasse Golden League meet in Zurich, breaking a 13 year record held by Bob Kennedy. He rounded out the year on a high note with a third place finish at the Great Birmingham Half Marathon in 60:00. He was ready to take his distance running to a new level.

At the start of 2010 Ritzenhein won the USA Men's Cross Country National Championships 12K. But soon he found himself sidelined with a stress fracture to the third toe of his right foot (the healthy foot that had been injury free through the years). Ritzenhein did not let up on training or the uncertainty if he was exacerbating the injury by continuing to train. He returned to racing in September at the Great North Run and finished in a disappointing 62:35 (4th place), a race incidentally won by Haile Gebrselassie who he will rematch at the New York City Marathon.

Following a year of rebuilding confidence and being nearly injury free, Ritzenhein has not had an easy journey in 2010. Yet, he remains optomistic for the New York City Marathon where he plans to run sub 2:10. As race day approaches, Ritzenhein had withdraw from the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Half in October citing a flareup in his foot. If he goes into the 2010 New York City Marathon without his injury hampering performance, he may have a shot at victory.

MarathonGuide.com: Torres at (with brother Ed) at 2007 USA Cross Country Championships

Jorge Torres
Age: 30
Country: USA A surprisingly late arrival to the marathon distance was American Jorge Torres who made his debut in the 26.2 mile distance at the 2009 New York City Marathon (2:13:00, 7th place). Best known on the track and in cross country, Torres had been a 5000 specialist for about a decade, was 3rd at the 2008 USA 10,000m Championships (27:46.33). At the 2009 Great Edinburgh Cross Country 9.0k champs he and his twin brother (Ed) tied for 13th place and were top Americans in 28:05. Torres won the 2009 Oregon Track Club Open (28:16.81 PR) edging out his brother who is a specialist in the distance by hundredths of seconds. Other accomplishments include a victory at the 2008 Men's 8000m Championship in New York City (22:41.2) and personal bests at the 2009 Great North Run (62:42, 7th place), 2009 USA 15k Championships (44:05, 5th place) and 2009 Cross Country 12.0k nationals (36;16, 4th place).

In the marathon distance, Torres' debut was tough to predict. His twin brother, a 10000m specialist w/ three marathons under his belt, took 3rd place finish at the 2008 USA Championships (2:17:54). And MarathonGuide.com felt that if genetics was a factor Jorge Torres could better that time and would place in the top ten American finishes at the USA championship marathon....Torres finished 3rd in the USA national championships / 7th overall in the 2009 New York City Marathon field. (The championship race was held simultaneously with the international event.)

Under the coaching of marathon great Steve Jones who won the 1998 New York City Marathon in (2:07:20), Torres' marathon debut was stronger than Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein, the first American to cross the line at the 2008 Beijing Games who also ran his debut at the 2006 New York City Marathon (2:14:01, 11th place). At the 2010 New York City Marathon, Torres will be met by a deeper field than last year; but interestingly enough he will meet track and cross-country rival and former Boulder, Colorado neighbor Ritzenhein who is coached by another marathon legend, Alberto Salazar, a three-time New York City Marathon champion (1980-2:09:41, 1981-2:08:13, 1982-2:09:29).

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Gebremariam at 2010 Healthy Kidney 10K

Gebre Gebremariam
Age: 25
Country: Ethiopia
Ethiopian Gebregziabher "Gebre" Gebremariam began racing, as most every experienced marathoners have - with a lengthy track and cross-country background. His talents emerged at an early age as he collected accolades from 2002 to present. Among them double-world juniors medals in the 5,000m (bronze) and 10,000m (gold) in 2002, a victory at the Reebok Invitational 3,000m race in 2005 and a 4th place at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games behind legendary Hicham el Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele in 5,000m when he was merely 20 years of age. He also has a number of top 10 World Championship performances spanning almost a decade.

His foray into road racing began in 2008, when he took second in his 13.1 mile debut at the Great North Run (61:29) losing to top marathoner Tsegaye Kebede. In 2009 he won the title World Cross Country champion and continued to shine in 2010 with victories at esteemed road races like the Healthy Kidney 10K in New York (27:42 course record), Beach to Beacon (27:41) and Falmouth Road Race (32;20). His winning streak ended the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon; but he was pleased with his performance of 60:25, a 2nd place finish and a personal best improvement of over 30 seconds.

Gebremariam and his wife Worknesh Kidane will both debut at the 2010 New York City Marathon. When MarathonGuide.com caught up with him in Philadelphia, he was excited to compete in the marathon. And it will be interesting to see him take on Peter Kamais whom he beat in a finishing sprint at the Healthy Kidney 10K and race against another "Geb" and fellow countryman Haile Gebrselassie who has served as a role model to many in his career. Having been fortunate to see Gebremariam's smooth running stride, he is the MarathonGuide.com dark horse pick.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kamais at 2010 NYC Half Marathon

Peter Kamais
Age: 33
Country: Kenya
Kenyan Peter Kamais may be better known as a 10k specialist finishing the events in the top ten and placing first or second 15 of 21 races in the distance. His personal best of 27:09 could pit him up against winners of the Berlin, Boston, London and Chicago Marathons if they were competing in the 10K (Haile Gebrselassie, Deriba Merga, Martin Lel, Sammy Wanjiru respectively). We will see how being a great 10k specialist will translate over into marathoning, as Kamais debuts in the 26.2 mile distance for the first time at the 2010 New York City Marathon.

Kamais first raced in New York at the 2010 New York City Half. In this second attempt at the distance, he won the event in 59:53. He returned to New York's Central Park to race the Healthy Kidney 10K and lost to Gebre Gebremariam who had a stronger finishing kick. Despite his denial when asked in the spring, if he would be attempting the marathon distance in the near future; it's of no surprise to find him on the elite roster for the 2010 New York City Marathon. Kamais, enticed perhaps by the more lucrative marathon prize winnings, will also go head-to-head once again against Gebremariam, in his marathon debut as well. Whether or not Kamais will have what it takes to perform well, cannot easily be determined given the quick shift in training to refocus on the marathon. Nonetheless, this will be a good springboard into marathons, something most Kenyans are starting in their early 20s. (Kamais is 33.) He has been one to watch in 2010 and has not disappointed. On race day, he could make a good unofficial pacesetter or perhaps provide a surprising upset.

Coverage Homepage

Post Race: Men's Race | Women's Race | Complete Searchable Results

Race Day: As It Happens - Live Coverage

Pre-Race:
Men: Men's Preview & Starter List | Men's Athlete Bios
Women: Women's Preview & Starter List | USA Championships Preview | Women's Athlete Bios
Head-to-Heads: Elite Athlete Past Matchups
Extras: Pace Calculator/Pace Guide | Videos (Athletes/Archival/More...)
Additional Interviews: The Chilean Miner! | Haile Gebrselassie & Paul Tergat
More News: Press Releases | News
Featured Book/Movie: Run For Your Life | A Race Like No Other