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Lel, Mikitenko Win 28th Flora London Marathon
Ryan Hall finishes 5th in 2:06:17 - #3 U.S. performance all-time
Race summary by Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire, and from the race

LONDON - (April 13, 2008) - At the 28th Flora London Marathon on Sunday, Martin Lel of Kenya defended his title with a stirring and fast win over countryman Sammy Wanjiru and Morocco's Abderrahim Goumri. Lel, 29, effortlessly pulled away at the end to finish in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 15 seconds, a course record, with Wanjiru and Goumri following 9 and 15 seconds later. Team Running USA's Ryan Hall of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. ran another impressive marathon to finish 5th in 2:06:17, only former course and world record holder Khalid Khannouchi has run faster (twice) as an American. In the women's race, Irina Mikitenko of Germany in only her second marathon beat Russian Svetlana Zakharova, 2:24:14 to 2:24:39.

The men set off in near perfect conditions - 52°F and sunny. The pacemakers Dieudonne Didi of Rwanda and Cuthbert Nyasango from Zimbabwe had been asked to run at 2:05 pace (62:30 at half way), and they passed half way in a spectacular 62:14, well inside world record pace, and one of the quickest first halves ever seen in the event.

The pacemakers slipped away at 30K (1:28:29) and Hall, 25, began to slow. Wanjiru, 21, took up the front-running duties, reducing the leading group to five, with Lel, Goumri, Emmanual Mutai and Yonas Kifle on the young Kenyan's heels. At 18 miles, they were still seven seconds inside Haile Gebrselassie's world record pace, with 4:45 miles needed during the run-in to beat his mark.

But the long run for home would be into a headwind, and oncoming cold rain.

The weather clearly had an affect as the 21st mile was the first to slip outside five minutes (5:05), allowing Hall to rejoin the leaders. With the rain in their faces, the pace slowed through the 5K to 35K (1:43:54) as the pace fell outside world record schedule for the first time.

Hall's efforts were to no avail as he and Mutai lost touch while Goumri, Lel, Wanjiru and Deriba Merga powered on along the rain-sodden Highway towards the Tower and down onto the Embankment.

Lel made his first move in Birdcage Walk, and Goumri lost two meters as the two Kenyans geared up for the sprint. Lel led round the corner past Buckingham Palace and struck for home. Wanjiru was finished as Lel blasted for the line like a fast-finishing miler to break Khannouchi's 2002 course record (2:05:38) and to win his third London crown.

Lel's last 385 yards was timed at 57 seconds as the first three set the fifth, sixth and seventh quickest times ever. Lel, already well-known as a champion racer, is now one of the world's fastest, sitting fourth behind Gebrselassie, Paul Tergat and Sammy Korir on the world all-time list. In addition, the top six men broke 2:07, the first time that has ever happened at the same marathon on the same day.

"To win this race you have to work extra hard," said Lel afterwards. "There were lots of runners in the field who could come first. So the chance of winning two in a row is very long. This is one of the best races I have done."

For Hall, in his third marathon, his fifth place - last year at London he was 7th in a U.S. debut record of 2:08:24 - was another stepping stone to his marathon development as he showed well against the world's best. The Stanford grad who won the Olympic Marathon Trials last November in New York City will now concentrate on his Beijing Olympics preparation.

Hall's Team Running USA coach Terrence Mahon commented post-race, "Ryan ran a courageous race today. After committing to the front pack, he followed a near suicidal early pace being set at the front. He held strong thru 17 miles before getting dropped by a 4:35 mile. Sticking to his guns, Ryan held strong and rejoined the front pack just after 21 miles. Had the rain and wind not come hard at 22 miles he may have scared the U.S. record. He worked really hard to hold onto a 2:06:17 finish fighting all the way to the line to get 5th place. He definitely left it all out there on the race course today. Ryan is doing fine now and is excited to recover and get back to work."

In the women's race, Mikitenko battled through the wind and rain in the closing stages to become the first German winner at London since Katrin Dorre took the third of her trio of titles in 1994. Leading for much of the race, the 35-year-old shrugged off the challenge of Zakharova and Gete Wami, the World Marathon Majors champion, over the last three miles to cross the line with a 25 second advantage. Zakharova held second and Wami who earlier fell was third (2:25:37).

The Flora London Marathon also opened the 2008 World Marathon Majors (WMM) racing season, and Lel and Wami sit atop the 2007-08 standings. WMM series points are collected for top five finishes with 25 points for first, 15 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth and 1 for fifth. The WMM series features a $1 million purse with $500,000 for the men's and women's overall champions.

This year's WMM series continues with the 112th BAA Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21. For more WWM information and current standings, go to: WorldMarathonMajors.com

28th Flora London Marathon
London, GBR, Sunday, April 13, 2008

MEN
1) Martin Lel (KEN), 2:05:15*, $130,000
2) Sammy Wanjiru (KEN), 2:05:24, $80,000
3) Abderrahim Goumri (MAR), 2:05:30, $72,500
4) Emmanual Mutai (KEN), 2:06:15, $65,000
5) Ryan Hall (USA / CA), 2:06:17, $60,000
6) Deriba Merga (ETH), 2:06:38, $57,500
7) Yonas Kifle (ERI), 2:08:51, $15,000
8) Felix Limo (KEN), 2:10:35, $5000
9) Aleksey Sokolov (RUS), 2:11:41, $3000
10) Hendrick Ramaala (RSA), 2:11:44, $2000
11) Luke Kibet (KEN), 2:12:25, $1500
12) Stefano Baldini (ITA), 2:13:06, $1000
*course record (previous record, 2:05:38, Khalid Khannouchi (USA), 2002)

WOMEN
1) Irina Mikitenko (GER), 2:24:14, $65,000
2) Svetlana Zakharova (RUS), 2:24:39, $40,000
3) Gete Wami (ETH), 2:25:37, $27,500
4) Salina Kosgei (KEN), 2:26:30, $13,000
5) Ludmila Petrova (RUS), 2:26:45, $10,500
6) Souad Ait Salem (ALG), 2:27:41, $6000
7) Berhane Adere (ETH), 2:27:42, $4500
8) Constantina Dita (ROM), 2:27:45, $3500
9) Liz Yelling (GBR), 2:28:33, $1500
10) Adriana Pirtea (ROM), 2:28:52, $1000

Complete results at: www.London-Marathon.co.uk

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162 of America's Top Distance Runners Enter U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon
Olympic Trials in Boston to select U.S. women's marathon team for the Beijing Olympics

BOSTON - (April 11, 2008) - One hundred and sixty-two of the top female marathon runners in the United States have registered to run in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon, which will be held in Boston on Sunday, April 20, the day before the 112th Boston Marathon. The race will start at 8:00am and take place on a multi-loop course in Boston and Cambridge. A total prize purse of $250,000 will be awarded, and the U.S. Olympic Team in Women's Marathon will be decided by the race.

Among the many notable entrants are:
* Deena Kastor, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist - Women's Marathon
* Joan Benoit Samuelson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist - Women's Marathon
* Elva Dryer, 2000 & 2004 U.S. Olympian at 5000m and 10,000m
* Mary Akor, 10th place, 2007 Boston Marathon
* Kate O'Neill, 3rd place, 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
* Turena Johnson Lane, 2006 USA 25K champion
* Magdalena Lewy Boulet, 5th place, 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon
* Blake Russell, 4th place, 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon
* Linda Somers Smith, 6-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier

In total, 181 women qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials via either an "A" standard time (2:39:00) or a "B" standard time (2:47:00, or 33:33.00 for 10,000m on the track).

OMT QUALIFIER STATISTICS
181 Qualifiers Overall
19 "A" qualifiers, 162 "B" qualifiers (10 via 10,000m performances)

Oldest Qualifier (age on 04/20/08)
Joan Benoit Samuelson - 50 years, 340 days

Youngest Qualifier (age on 04/20/08)
Michelle Gallagher - 22 years, 184 days

Qualifiers by Age
77 = Qualifiers ages 20-29
90 = Qualifiers ages 30-39
13 = Qualifiers ages 40-49
1 = Qualifier age 50+

Personal Bests as Qualifying Performances
135 of the 171 women who qualified with a marathon time did so by running a personal best.

Most Qualifying Performances
11 = Mary Akor (2006 Country Music, 2006 Vancouver, 2006 Grandma's, 2006 Twin Cities, 2006 Brunei, 2007 OC, 2007 Port of Spain, 2007 LaLa, 2007 Boston, 2007 Vancouver and 2007 Grandma's)

Most Qualifying Performances in One Race
25 = The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (2006)
15 = Twin Cities Marathon (2006); Boston Marathon (2007)

Most Qualifying Performances at One Event
28 = The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (2006-07)
20 = Boston Marathon (2006-07)

61 Races Where Qualifying Performances Were Run
54 marathons and seven track meets were used to qualify.

Most Representatives from One University
5 = Duke University (Maureen Ackerly, Betsey Keever, Phebe Ko, Sally Meyerhoff and Paige Miller)

10 Olympians (all events)
Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984)
Maggie Chan Roper (2000)
Colleen De Reuck (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)
Elva Dryer (2000, 2004)
Deena Kastor (2000, 2004)
Kate O'Neill (2004)
Jen Rhines (2000, 2004)
Amy Rudolph (1996, 2000)
Marla Runyan (2000, 2004)
Linda Somers Smith (1996)

5 Olympians (marathon)
Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984)
Colleen De Reuck (1992, 2000, 2004)
Deena Kastor (2004)
Jen Rhines (2004)
Linda Somers Smith (1996)

7 Past USA Marathon Champions
Linda Somers (1993, 1994)
Kim Pawelek (1999)
Deena Kastor (2001, 2007)
Jill Boaz (2002)
Colleen De Reuck (2004)
Nicole Aish (2005)
Marla Runyan (2006)

Past U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon Participants
55 qualifiers have completed a combined total of 76 times in previous U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the Women's Marathon.

More information about the athletes, course configuration, the list of qualifiers and the history of the U.S. Olympic Trials, can be found at http://bostontrials2008.com. Live online streaming of the race will be available on NBCSports.com and a one-hour highlights show will air on MSNBC on Sunday, April 27 from 12:00-1:00pm ET.

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Contact: Richard Maher, (877) 345-2230

Eugene Marathon Announces the 26 "Legends of Eugene"

EUGENE, Ore. - (April 9, 2008) - Each mile of the 2008 Eugene Marathon course is dedicated to a "Legend of Eugene" - from distance runners to coaches - who have made a significant impact on the running community, local and worldwide. The "Eugene Legends" will be visible to participants at each mile as they follow "in the footsteps of Legends" on Sunday, May 4.

"This was a great way for us to bring a positive motivator to the runners of the marathon and the community of Eugene," says Jack Anderson, chair of the "Legends of Eugene" committee, "It was another way to show the runners how special a place Eugene is to run and compete."

The "Legends of Eugene" list will include: Bill Bowerman, the former coach who helped make jogging popular in the United States; Steve Prefontaine, the great University of Oregon runner, and Joe Henderson, who has coached over a thousand marathoners and has written more than 30 running books.

Gorilla Capital is sponsoring three markers at every mile to honor each legend. Other event sponsors will include Krusteaz, Nike, Wells Fargo, Fred Meyer, Nesquik, Gleukos, Earth2O, Oregon Medical Group, Therapeutic Associates, Clif, Healing Spirit, Foot Solutions, Eugene Running Company, Subway, KVAL, Kool 99.1, Eugene Hilton and the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Committed Partners for Youth, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund and Pre's Trail.

To see a full list of the "Legends of Eugene" or to register for any of the races, visit: EugeneMarathon.com

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ZOOMA Women's Race Series Announces Route for Inaugural Annapolis Half Marathon & 10K
Newly-designed course is a first for Annapolis running events

WASHINGTON, D.C. - ZOOMA Women's Race Series has announced the half-marathon and 10K routes for the inaugural ZOOMA Annapolis Half Marathon & 10K to be held on Sunday, June 1, 2008 in Annapolis, MD. The newly designed route, never before used by a running or walking event, starts at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis and finishes on the waterfront at Jonas Green Park in Anne Arundel County. Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis are co-sponsors of the event.

"Being active is an important ingredient to a healthy, long life," said Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold. "We are pleased to welcome ZOOMA Women's Race Series to Anne Arundel County and to support its mission of inspiring women and families to lead healthier lives."

Runners will traverse the stately Naval Academy Bridge and take in the beautiful foliage of the B&A Trail before finishing on the waterfront at Jonas Green Park. Runners will park at the Stadium, and shuttles will bring runners from the finish line at Jonas Green Park to the Stadium for an over-the-top post-race celebration, including a catered lunch, shopping, mini spa treatments, music, giveaways and more.

"In cooperation with the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, we have designed a really special event for ZOOMA Annapolis runners," said Brae Blackley, Executive Director of ZOOMA Women's Race Series. "The race route has fabulous views of the Severn River and will be absolutely beautiful on June 1."

County Executive John Leopold will kick off the race and give encouraging words to the runners before they begin the half-marathon or 10K challenge.
He will also be on site to congratulate women at the finish line.

Shuttle busses will transport spectators from the parking lots at the Stadium to Jonas Green Park, where they can cheer runners through the finish line and from several places along the race route.

For more information, please visit ZOOMArun.com or contact Andrea Meier at ameier@zoomarun.com.

About ZOOMA Women's Race Series
ZOOMA Women's Race Series is a new concept in running races designed to inspire women to lead healthy lives with more perks and bigger parties.

ZOOMA will roll out events in six cities across the U.S. by 2010 beginning with the first event in Annapolis, Maryland on June 1, 2008 and the second event in Atlanta, Georgia on November 16, 2008. ZOOMA participants enjoy a host of free luxuries, including localized online group training, one-on-one interactive coaching, an unprecedented race day experience, and a unique After-Party Expo complete with shopping, mini spa treatments, wine tastings, free lunch, live music and much more.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org