| Running USA wire 99, December 29, 2004 |
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In this Edition Wire 99, December 29, 2004(click)
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Coming Events
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Return to top / Return to main page Olympic Silver Medalist Keflezighi
Joins Stacked Flora London Marathon Field LONDON - Olympic champion Stefano Baldini, world champion Jaouad Gharib and world record holder Paul Tergat have joined the parade of champions for the Flora London Marathon on April 17, 2005. In addition, Athens Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. and second fastest marathon runner ever Sammy Korir enter a line-up which includes the last five London champions Evans Rutto, Gezahegne Abera, Khalid Khannouchi, Abdelkader El Mouaziz and Antonio Pinto. "We could not wish for a more exclusive field to celebrate the 25th running of the race," said Race Director David Bedford. "This is the Olympic final we should have had. But watch this space, there is more to come". Other major signings include Daniel Njenga, Antonio Pena, Joseph Ngolepus, Lee Troop and John Yuda. The Marathon also welcomes back Olympic fourth-placer, Britain's Jon Brown, who once again showed in Athens that he knows how to peak for the big races. The route has undergone changes for 2005 making it approximately 45 seconds faster. The diversion around the Tower Hotel and the cobbles of the Tower of London have been replaced by a fast section along the Highway and Tower Hill. There was a record 98,500 UK applications for 2005 entry, a 20% increase on the previous year. In 1981, there were 20,000 applicants for 7,000 places. The full complement of 46,000 for 2005 is made up of charity entrants, sponsors and overseas competitors. Each year the Marathon, the world's third largest behind New York and Chicago, raises over £32m for charity. Elite men's field by fastest
times: For more race information and updates, go to: www.london-marathon.co.uk Return to top / Return to main page IAAF Approves Marathon Route and Standards for 2005 World Championships in Helsinki At the recent IAAF meetings in Helsinki, Finland, the IAAF Council approved the marathon route, entry standards and the Local Organization Committee's proposals for the opening ceremony and more. Helsinki - the site of the first World Track & Field Championships - will host the 10th edition from August 6-14, 2005. The marathon course will begin in the heart of Helsinki, the capital city, at the marketplace and end at the Olympic Stadium, site of the 1952 Olympics. The marathon will be run in the streets of Helsinki along a 10K (6.2 mile) loop which will be run 3.5 times. On-site, spectators will see the runners several times, while the TV viewer will see the sights of Helsinki along with the competition. The Men's marathon will be run on August 13 and Women's competition on August 14. "The course will show the runners and the TV audience a greater part of the most beautiful parts of Helsinki. The aim was to build an interesting route serving also the public on location and in front of televisions," said Competition Director Pekka Paakkanen. On the eve of the World Championships on Friday, August 5, the Helsinki City Marathon will be staged. The marathon entry standards for the 2005 World Championships were also set: 2:18:00 (men) and 2:42:00 (women). Performances must be run on record standard certified courses (1m/km drop or less). The qualifying window is from January 1, 2004 to July 25, 2005. Overall, organizers expect more than 1,800 athletes at the Helsinki World Championships. The IAAF Council also approved the concept for the opening ceremony. On Saturday August 6, the official opening ceremony will be held before the start of the evening session and the second part of the ceremony offering a show will start right after the last event of the day. For more information on the 2005 IAAF World Championships, visit the host's website at: www.helsinki2005.fi Return to top / Return to main page Contacts: Guidant Heart of Summer 10K Increases 2005 Women's Prize Purse MINNEAPOLIS - (December 28, 2004) - The Guidant Heart of Summer 10K has announced a significant increase to its 2005 prize purse. Total prize money will exceed $30,000 with 85% of the entire purse dedicated to the Women's 10K. The race will be held August 20, 2005 at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. In addition to the Women's 10K, a separate Men's 10K and a non-competitive 5K walk/run will be held. ChampionChip timing will be utilized for both 10K events. "We are thrilled that Guidant Corporation has agreed to continue its title sponsorship for 2005, and we are committed to attract the top female runners to the Twin Cities," said race director Kris Wirth. "Guidant is again demonstrating its commitment to increase awareness of heart disease in women by making this event possible in the Twin Cities. We hope to further educate and combat our nation's #1 killer." The Guidant Heart of Summer 10K is hosted by the Runner's Soul Running Club, and race proceeds and funds raised through pledges and contributions will go to support women's heart disease awareness and prevention efforts. For a complete prize money breakdown and more race information, visit the race website at: www.heartofsummer.org About Guidant Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director (805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958 |