Contact: Ginny Cassidy, Interim Marketing & PR Manager, (763) 287-3888 x13

Joan Benoit Samuelson to Run 2005 Twin Cities Marathon
1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Joins Deep Elite Field for USA Men's, Women's and Masters Championships

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (Sept. 26, 2005) - American running icon Joan Benoit Samuelson - winner of the inaugural women's Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and a two-time Boston Marathon champion - will compete at the 24th annual Twin Cities Marathon, the USA Championships, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005.

Samuelson, 48, of Freeport, Maine, has run four of the five best marathon times ever recorded by American women. Her U.S. record of 2:21:21, set in 1985 at the Chicago Marathon, was broken only two years ago by Deena Kastor, at the 2003 Flora London Marathon. Kastor went on to win the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic Marathon in Athens, Greece.

Samuelson, a top seed in the women's Masters field, joins a broad and deep field of elite runners assembled for the 2005 USA Marathon Championships for U.S. men, women and masters (40 and older).

Mbarak Hussein, 40, is a favorite to win both the Open and masters titles at the TCM. Born in Kenya, Hussein became a U.S. citizen in September 2004 and has run a 2:08:10 marathon within the last two years. The world record for masters men is 2:08:46, set by Mexican Andres Espinosa at the 2003 real,-Berlin Marathon.

Several up-and-coming runners, including James Carney (debut), Kyle Baker, Sergio Reyes and Joseph Driscoll (debut), will also be vying for the men's national title, while defending U.S. masters champion Dennis Simonaitis, Joseph Cresko, John Mirth and Daniel Boyle are expected to be in contention for the masters national championship.

On the women's side, strong performances are expected from marathon newcomers Nicole Aish and Dana Coons, who will compete against veterans Jill Boaz (2002 U.S. champion here), Kim Pawelek (1999 TCM champion and U.S. champion) and Kimberly Fitchen-Young.

Janet Robertz, 2004 USA Masters Marathon champion, Sharon Stubler and Debbi Kilpatrick-Morris round out the women's Masters Field.

TCM offers over $220,000 in guaranteed prize money with each Open national champion taking home $25,000.

Marathon day weather forecast is sunny with a low of 55 degrees and a high of 75.

The 2005 Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place September 30 - October 2. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, health and fitness expo and TC 10 Mile in addition to the marathon. TCM, a Running USA Founding Member, continues its 15th consecutive year as the designated USA Masters Championship for both men and women and also hosts the USA Marathon Championships. Major corporate sponsors include Cub Foods, Capella University and ING. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit TwinCitiesMarathon.org for more information.

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Contact:
Richard Finn, (212) 423-2229 or Maeve Mullally, (212) 423-2294
Media Relations Department, New York Road Runners

Abdi Abdirahman Leads a Quartet of Top American Men
Joining the Field for the ING New York City Marathon 2005

NEW YORK - (September 28, 2005) - Abdi Abdirahman, the national record holder at 20K, leads three other American men - Ryan Shay, Matt Downin and Peter Gilmore - as the latest additions to the field for the ING New York City Marathon 2005, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.

The four athletes join previously announced Meb Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and ING New York City Marathon 2004 runner-up, to make up one of the strongest American fields in recent years. The runners will be put to a stern test against a stellar lineup featuring world record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya, defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa and reigning two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco.

The announcement was made just days before Shay and Downin were scheduled to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships Half-Marathon on Saturday, October 1, in Edmonton, Canada.

Abdirahman, 28, of Tucson, Ariz., made his marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2004, placing 14th in 2:17:09. A five-time World Cross Country team member, Abdirahman is also a two-time Olympian at 10,000 meters. He has had perhaps his greatest season to date in 2005, with a runner-up finish at the USA 8K Championship in March, a win at the USA 10 Mile Championship in April, a 10,000 meter national title (28:10.38) in June and an American record-setting run at the USA 20K Championship (58:42) earlier this month.

"Abdi has all the talent in the world and has just scratched the surface of what he can do over the marathon distance," said Wittenberg. "Watch for him as the dark horse in this year's field."

Shay, 26, of East Jordan, Mich., became only the sixth American man since 1993 to break into the top 10 with an impressive ninth place finish (2:14:08) at the ING New York City Marathon 2004. In 2005, the Team Running USA athlete has sustained his reputation as the most consistent presence on the American distance running scene, winning the USA 15K Championship and capturing fourth place at the USA 8K Championship, 11th place at the BAA Boston Marathon and the runner-up spot at the USA 20K Championship.

Downin, 28, of Norwood, N.J., was the top American finisher in the ING New York City Marathon 2003 with his 17th place finish (2:18.48); he ran 2:18:50 in 2004 to place 16th. Enjoying one of his best-ever seasons in 2005, Downin finished third in the USA Track & Field Championships at 10,000 meters and fourth in the USA 20K Championship.

Gilmore, 28, of San Mateo, Calif., ran a breakthrough race at the 2005 BAA Boston Marathon in April, finishing 10th, and represented the United States at the IAAF World Championships Marathon in August.

"Last year, both Meb and Ryan cracked the top 10 here," said Wittenberg. "With this group of men in the field, there is no reason why we should not expect to have more Americans break into the top 10 this year."

The ING New York City Marathon 2005 will be run on Sunday, November 6.

New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and Web site support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more information, visit: NYRR.org

ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 85,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 260 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 635,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit: INGNYCMarathon.org

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Kenyan, Russian Runners Headline Elite Field at Road Runner Akron Marathon
Increased prize purse attracts strong field

AKRON, Ohio - (Sept. 27, 2005) - A tripling of first place prize money to $12,000 for the 3rd Annual Road Runner Akron Marathon has drawn a highly competitive field of elite runners in both the men's and women's divisions.

"After only three years, this marathon has reached the depth and quality of elite runners that will guarantee a battle on the streets of Akron by veteran runners as well as some up-and-coming long distance athletes," said John Tope, the coordinator of elite athletes and the man responsible for bringing them to Akron.

Seven Kenyan runners are among nine elite marathoners signed to run in the men's division of the marathon on Sat., Oct. 1. Based on personal records, 35-year-old Andrew Musuva of Kenya leads the field with a time of 2:12:01. He already has one win under his belt this year at the Carlsbad Marathon in California, plus a third place finish in the Derby Festival Marathon in Louisville. Last year, he won the Quad Cities Marathon on the Iowa/Illinois border and the Newport Marathon in Oregon, plus a 5th place finish in the Baltimore Marathon and a 7th place in America's Finest Half Marathon in San Diego.

Fellow Kenyan James Karanja had a 4th place finish earlier this year at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn. and his personal best time, which he recorded in 2003, is less than two minutes behind Musuva. Other Kenyan runners competing for the $12,000 first prize money include Charles Kamindo, 23, winner of the Derby Festival Marathon and the Green Bay Half Marathon; Mike Korir, 30, who took 1st place last year in the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham and the Philadelphia Marathon. Rounding out the men's elite field are Kenyans Albert Kiplagat, Stephen Muturi and Jonah Rono. Rono was the winner of the Inaugural Road Runner Akron Marathon in 2003. Also entered in the men's race are Jaroslaw Cichocki, 34, of Poland and Sergey Emelyanov, 26, of Russia.

The women's marathon field is dominated by eastern European runners led by Irina Bogacheva, 44, of Kyrgyzstan. Over a three year period, she won the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego and the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. She was also the 1999 winner of the Los Angeles Marathon and the runner-up in the 2000 Boston Marathon. Her personal best time is 2:26:27.

"Don't let her age fool you," said Tope. "Though now a master runner, Irina Bogacheva has run under 2:30 in the last year and is also a past Olympian."

Five other elite women marathoners are entered in this year's race including Polish runner Wioletta Kryza. The 37-year-old has won 23 marathons in her career including the Cleveland Marathon in 2000, a five-time champion of the Echternach-Luxembourg Marathon from 1996-2000 and a four-time winner of the Taipei Marathon from 1995-1998. Other women in the field include Russian runners Larisa Michailova, Marina Bychkova and Elvira Kolpakova. Peruvian marathoner Maria Portilla, 32, rounds out the women's field. Portilla was a member of her country's marathon team at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Registrations for both the marathon and the relays are running ahead of last year's numbers and organizers believe total registrations for the marathon, the five-person relay and the new two-person relay could top 5,000. For more details about the Road Runner Akron Marathon or to register for the marathon or team relays, visit AkronMarathon.org or call (330) 375 2786 (2RUN).

Contact: Tom Koch, Highland Public Relations, (330) 996-4140

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Salt Lake City Marathon Sets 2006 Date for June 3
New Half-Marathon to Be Added to the Bike Tour, 5K and IHC MaraFit Kids Fitness Program and 1K

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Organizers of the third annual Salt Lake City Marathon have announced that the entire weekend of events is being moved to Saturday, June 3, 2006. An all new half-marathon will be added to accommodate those runners that want to participate, but may not be ready for a full marathon or for those training for late summer or fall marathons. Online registration is available at SaltLakeCityMarathon.com or by calling (801) 412-6060.

Organizers have set June third for the 2006 race date only after a myriad of criteria had been carefully examined, including coordination of all municipalities along the course, 30 years of weather history, the availability of public safety support, accessibility of the convention center, sufficient hotel vacancy, race schedules both locally and around the country and outdoor training time prior to the race.

An early June date had always been the ideal choice, but has just become available. Devine Racing Chairman Chris Devine said, "we remain committed to producing one of the finest running events in the country and showcasing the finest Salt Lake City for locals and visitors alike."

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson stated, "The addition of the new half-marathon is a welcome bonus to the entire weekend of fitness events for the citizens of the valley. This race truly showcases the best of Utah to all our visitors, brings our local community together in a very healthy way and has a very positive impact for Salt Lake City, bringing over $4 million visitor dollars into our community this year."

Online registration is open and is expected to fill quickly. Early registration for the race is only $70 for the marathon, $45 for the half-marathon, $35 for the Bike Tour and $25 for the 5K before January 2, 2006. Group discounts are available for 10 or more registering at the same time (mail in only).

The marathon website - SaltLakeCityMarathon.com - has easy-to-use registration forms, training information, travel and accommodation links, special stories and photographs from the previous years. In addition, participants can find course maps and details on the entire weekend of festivities.

The Salt Lake City Marathon is certified and sanctioned through USATF and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The 26.2 mile scenic downhill course makes it an appealing run for a wide range of entrants. Entry classes include Open, masters and wheelchair divisions and will have 17 age divisions. Runners' times will be clocked by a state-of-the-art chip timing system.

The race is run in partnership with the Utah Sports Commission and benefits the Huntsman Cancer Institute. IHC sponsors the MaraFit Kids' Fitness Program and 1K. The 5K is presented by The Salt Lake Tribune and Wild Oats. Other sponsors include Gatorade, Clif Bar and Walgreens.

For race information, contact Greg Reid, Race Director at (801) 412-6060.

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Contact: Pettit Gilwee, (530) 583-2138; pettit@gilweepr.com

Lake Tahoe Marathon Race Week - October 5-9 - Something for Everybody

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - (September 28, 2005) - Run, walk, swim or even golf at one of the many events scheduled for Lake Tahoe Marathon Race Week Wednesday, October 5 thru Sunday, October 9 held at venues throughout the Lake Tahoe Region.

The Marathon event, coined "a Saturday morning run you'll never forget," is set for Saturday, October 8 and starts at Tahoe City's Commons Beach on the North Shore. This lakeside beach recently underwent a multi-million renovation and is the perfect spot for families cheering on their runners with its new playground and proximity to area restaurants. The race winds down the West Shore and wraps up for a post-run bash at Pope Beach in South Lake Tahoe.

The Half Marathon and 10K event, scheduled for the same date, are also held on the West Shore with the Half Marathon beginning at Rubicon Bay and the 10K staring at Emerald Bay's Inspiration Point, an incredibly scenic, 99 percent downhill run.

New this year is a 20-Mile Power Walk and Run, which starts at Homewood Mountain Resort on the West Shore. There's also a Marathon Relay and Wheelchair event.

Lake Tahoe Marathon Race Week will also host a Three-Day Triathlon beginning Thursday, October 6 featuring kayaking, cycling and running, as well as a 72-Mile Bike Race and 35-Mile Bike Race on Friday, October 7.

For the toughest athletes, the Tahoe Triple starts Thursday, October 6, wrapping around the entire lake to meet up with Saturday marathoners for the final day of this grueling but breathtaking ultra race. For short distance runners, a 5K Race is scheduled for the morning of Sunday, October 9 at Valhalla Historic Estates in South Lake Tahoe. A free Kids' Fun Run, sponsored by the South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club, will follow the 5K event. All kids will receive a medal and lunch at the finish line.

On race day, friends and relatives of participants can view the 26.2-mile race and the spectacular Lake Tahoe scenery via the Lake Tahoe Marathon Spectator Buses. The motor coaches will pick up spectators at the Horizon Casino Resort, and other designated pick up stops, and will take passengers to the marathon start in Tahoe City.

New this year is Extreme Golf Wednesday, October 5 at South Lake Tahoe's Tahoe Paradise Golf Course. In Extreme Golf, golfers run the course as they play then combine their time with their golf score to determine how they do. It's a fantastic workout for those with limited time.

The Lake Tahoe Marathon is sponsored by the Tahoe Daily Tribune, South Shore Action, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Nevada Commission on Tourism, Tahoe-Douglas Visitors Authority, Riva Grill, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, Embassy Suites Hotel and South Shore Motors.

For more information or to register, call (530) 544-7095 or visit the Lake Tahoe Marathon website at LakeTahoeMarathon.com. The website is also home to a course map and profile as well as live area television cameras.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
41 5 E Figueroa St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

RunningUSA.org