FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kim Smith and Allan Kiprono to Defend Titles in B.A.A. Distance Medley,
Which Begins with B.A.A. 5K on April 14
Three-Race Series Awards $100,000 Prize for Fastest Cumulative Time
$25,000 Prize Purse at Stake in B.A.A. 5K
BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that an
elite field of world class athletes will compete in the Fifth Annual B.A.A.
5K, the first race of the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley, on Sunday, April 14,
2013. Kim Smith (NZL) and Allan Kiprono (KEN) will defend their titles in
the B.A.A. Distance Medley, a three-race series which awards $100,000 to
the male and female with the fastest cumulative time from all three races.
Defending B.A.A. 5K women's champion and course record holder Werknesh
Kidane (ETH) will once again compete in this year's B.A.A. 5K, which awards
a combined prize purse of $25,000.
In the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley, Kiprono will face London Olympic Games
silver medalist at 5000 meters Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH); three-time Olympian
Alistair Cragg (IRL); 2012 B.A.A. Distance Medley runner-up Lani Rutto
(KEN); Daniel Salel (KEN), who holds a personal best of 13:08.23 for 5000
meters; and six-time NCAA All-American Stephen Sambu (KEN).
A two-time Olympian, Smith will be challenged on the women's side in the
B.A.A. Distance Medley by Kidane, a three-time Olympian and IAAF World
Championships silver medalist; 2011 B.A.A. 5K champion Lineth Chepkurui
(KEN); 2008 Bolder Boulder 10K champion Millicent Kuria (KEN); and 2013
Crescent City Classic champion Alice Kimutai (KEN).
In the B.A.A. 5K, Glastonbury, Conn. native Donn Cabral, who placed eighth
in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the London Olympic Games, will look to be
among the top finishers. Other top Americans in the field include 2012
Manchester Road Race champion Aaron Braun, as well as Andrew Carlson,
Michael Crouch, and Cole Atkins. At 21 years old, Brett Robinson (AUS) is
the youngest man among the elite field and holds a 5000 meter best of
13:37.75.
On the women's side, Kidane and Smith placed first and third, respectively,
last year and will meet again in this year's B.A.A. 5K. They will face 2012
Manchester Road Race champion Delilah DiCrescenzo (USA), and fellow
Americans Kellyn Johnson and Sarah Crouch. Also competing are Lara Tamsett
(AUS), who holds a personal best for 5000 meters of 15:28.70, and 2:31
marathoner Heleen Plaatzer (NED).
"Held the day before the Boston Marathon each year, the B.A.A. 5K brings a
surge of excitement and energy to the City of Boston, preparing competitors
and spectators alike for the Boston Marathon," said B.A.A. Executive
Director Tom Grilk. "It is an honor to welcome this outstanding field of
competitors to Boston."
The B.A.A. 5K is the first race of the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley. In the
inaugural B.A.A. Distance Medley last year, 1492 runners registered for the
three-race series and 931 completed it. This January, 2035 runners
registered for the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley during an exclusive
three-race registration window, which is now closed. The 2013 B.A.A. 5K
field size limit of 6,500 has been reached and registration is now closed.
Registration for the 2013 B.A.A. 10K begins on Wednesday, May 1 at 10:00
a.m. ET and registration for the 2013 B.A.A. Half Marathon begins on
Wednesday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
2013 B.A.A. 5K Men's Field (as of April 3, 2013)
NAME COUNTRY AGE 5K Road/Track BEST
Dejen Gebremeskel ** ETH 23 13:11 (12:46.81)
Alistair Cragg ** IRL 32 13:24 (13:03.53)
Daniel Salel ** USA 22 Debut (13:08.23)
Stephen Sambu ** KEN 24 13:28 (13:13.74)
Aaron Braun USA 25 13:46 (13:20.25)
Andrew Carlson USA 30 13:57 (13:32.71)
Brett Robinson AUS 21 14:04 (13:37.75)
Donn Cabral USA 23 Debut (13:40.62)
Michael Crouch USA 25 13:56 (13:40.89)
Lani Rutto ** KEN 24 13:46
Allan Kiprono ** KEN 23 13:48
Cole Atkins USA 27 14:11 (14:00.20)
2013 B.A.A. 5K Women's Field (as of April 3, 2013)
NAME COUNTRY AGE 5K Road/Track BEST
Werknesh Kidane ** ETH 32 15:12 (14:33.04)
Kim Smith ** NZL 31 14:48 (14:39.89)
Lineth Chepkurui ** KEN 25 15:50 (15:15.15)
Lara Tamsett AUS 24 15:42 (15:28.70)
Kellyn Johnson USA 26 16:01 (15:31.66)
Delilah DiCrescenzo USA 30 Debut (15:40.00)
Millicent Kuria ** KEN 27 15:48
Sarah Crouch USA 23 15:50 (15:56.50)
Heleen Plaatzer NED 33 16:35
Alice Kimutai ** KEN 20 Debut
** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant
( ) Track Performance for 5000 meters
Prize Structure
PLACE AMOUNT
1 $4,000
2 $2,000
3 $1,500
4 $1,000
5 $750
6 $600
7 $500
8 $400
9 $300
10 $200
About the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887 and now in its 125th Anniversary year, the Boston
Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of
managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports,
especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest
annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and
supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs.
Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John
Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon
Majors, along with the international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin,
Chicago, and New York City. The 117th Boston Marathon will be held on
Monday, April 15, 2013. Nearly 50,000 runners will participate in B.A.A.
events in 2013.
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