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Olympians Catherine Ndereba, Benita Johnson, Hendrick Ramaala and Madaí Pérez Join Field for NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE
Patrick Makau, Felix Limo and Yuri Kano will also compete in New York on Sunday, July 27

NEW YORK - (July 16, 2008) - A galaxy of international stars and Olympians featuring reigning IAAF World Championships Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, former IAAF World Cross Country Championships winner Benita Johnson of Australia, ING New York City Marathon 2004 winner Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa and Mexican marathon record holder Madaí Pérez were announced for the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE on Sunday, July 27, by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

All four are looking to use this race as their final tune-up for the Olympic men's or women's marathon next month in Beijing.

"Even more than a major international race, this year's NYC Half provides a pre-game glimpse at some of our sport's favorites as they head into Beijing," Wittenberg said. "We welcome Catherine, Benita, Hendrick, Madaí - stars in their own right - to our July running summit of Olympians."

Also announced were last year's IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist Patrick Makau and his Kenyan countryman Felix Limo. Makau, 23, is returning to New York after capturing the Healthy Kidney 10K crown in Central Park in May and will be putting a four-race winning streak at the half-marathon (13.1-mile) distance on the line. Limo, 27, is one of the premier marathon runners in the world, with World Marathon Majors Series crowns at Berlin (2004), Chicago (2005) and London (2006).

On the women's side, Yuri Kano, 29, of Japan, who took fourth place in the NYC Half in each of the last two years, returns fresh off a personal best of 1:08:57, set in winning the Sapporo Half-Marathon.

Previously announced for the third annual 13.1-mile race were top Americans including two-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein, USA Half-Marathon champion James Carney, U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon fourth place finisher Zoila Gómez and four-time Olympian Colleen De Reuck.

Ndereba, 36, claimed her second IAAF World Championships Marathon crown last year in Osaka, Japan, after becoming the first African woman to win the title, in 2003 in Paris. Ndereba was the silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Marathon, and she is a four-time Boston Marathon and two-time Chicago Marathon champion. She won the inaugural NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE title in 2006 and returned last year to finish second.

Johnson, 29, was the runner-up here in 2006 to Ndereba and has a sparkling record at the half-marathon distance, having never finished lower than third place in seven career races. She has already won this year at the Freihofer's Run for Women 5K and the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run 10K.

Ramaala, 36, is a three-time Olympian and holds several South African records, including 59:20 for the half-marathon. Pérez, 28, finished six seconds behind winner Hilda Kibet in 32:49 this June in the NYRR New York Mini 10K. Coached by German Silva, the 1994 and 1995 New York City Marathon winner, Pérez set the Mexican marathon mark of 2:22:59 in finishing fourth at the 2006 Chicago Marathon.

Athletes will be vying for a prize purse of more than $70,000, with the male and female winners each receiving $10,000.

The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE continues to attract the world's leading professional athletes, in addition to a sold-out field of more than 10,000 recreational runners from around the world. More than 19,000 people applied to run in the race. On a course designed to celebrate New York City, the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE will take runners on a loop through Central Park, down Seventh Avenue through Times Square, across 42nd Street, and along the expansive West Side Highway to Battery Park in the heart of the city's financial district, finishing with a view of the Statue of Liberty.

For more information, visit: NYRR.org

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Runner's World's Amby Burfoot Inducted into National Distance Running Hall of Fame

NEW YORK - (July 17, 2008) - Runner's World Editor at Large, Amby Burfoot, was inducted into The National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, N.Y. this past Saturday. The Hall of Fame voting committee, which consists of national leaders in the running community as well as past inductees, determined Burfoot's inclusion to this elite group of 33 running stalwarts.

In addition to his Boston Marathon win in 1968, Burfoot was also recognized for his ongoing contributions to the sport, specifically his inspiration, leadership and dedication to the sport of running.

"I'm honored and humbled to have been recognized by The National Distance Running Hall of Fame," said Burfoot. "Being included in this group of such outstanding and dedicated athletes is a truly amazing moment for me."

ESPN analyst and master of ceremonies Larry Rawson presided over the event as Burfoot was awarded Hall of Fame membership, along with Priscilla Welch and the late Johnny Hayes. The emotional program, which was the 9th induction ceremony held by the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, also paid tribute to the late Bob Ingalls and Olympian and inaugural Hall of Fame member Ted Corbitt, who died last December.

"This class of inductees reminds us of the hard work and dedication it takes to excel in distance running," says Tim Reed, Director of the Hall of Fame. "We are grateful that their personal achievements help bring recognition to the sport."

The induction ceremony was part of the festivities taking place during National Distance Hall of Fame Weekend featuring The Boilermaker Road Race on Sunday, July 13.

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Salazar Named Honorary Captain of the 2008 Medtronic Global Heroes
1984 Olympian will join 25 runners benefiting from medical technology at Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events

MINNEAPOLIS - (July 14, 2008) - The Medtronic Foundation and Twin Cities Marathon, Inc., have announced that 1984 U.S. Olympian and marathon great Alberto Salazar will serve as the honorary captain of the 2008 Medtronic Global Heroes and will run in the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Salazar will lead a group of 25 Global Heroes - long distance runners who benefit from medical technology - who are preparing to run either the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Salazar had a Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implanted following sudden cardiac arrest in 2007.

In its third year, the Medtronic Global Heroes program celebrates the accomplishments of runners who enjoy the benefits of medical devices to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, and whose continued passion for running serves as an inspiration to others. Salazar and Medtronic Global Heroes share the same goal - helping runners assisted by medical technology understand that it is possible to continue to run, pursue personal goals and lead full, active lives.

"We are thrilled to have a runner of Alberto Salazar's caliber captaining this year's Global Heroes," said Dr. Stephen Oesterle, senior vice president of medicine and technology at Medtronic. "His continued commitment to the sport serves as an inspiration to runners around the world, and especially to runners diagnosed with chronic medical conditions."

An accomplished runner, Salazar, 49, competed in the 1984 Olympics and won three consecutive New York City Marathons (1980-82) and the 1982 Boston Marathon. He now trains professional U.S. runners as coach of Nike's Oregon Project.

For more information, go to: www.medtronic.com/globalheroes

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ING Philadelphia Distance Run Announces Tug McGraw Foundation as an Official Charity
Team McGraw is lacing up to make a difference

SAN DIEGO - The ING Philadelphia Distance Run has announced that The Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF), founded in honor of legendary Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw to raise funds for brain cancer research, is now an official charity partner of this year's race, which will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2008.

"Philadelphia meant as much to Tug as he meant to the city, and we hope everyone is ready to suit up and run the through the streets of Philadelphia with Team McGraw," said TMF Honorary Chairman, Tim McGraw, Tug's son and a GRAMMY® Award-winning musician.

Tug McGraw is remembered not only for his zany antics and his screwball, but for the passion with which he played the game. A hero to Philadelphians and to baseball fans everywhere, in 1980, Tug led the Phillies to their only World Series Championship.

Members of Team McGraw and representatives of the Philadelphia Phillies, including ESPN commentator John Kruk and Tug's former teammate Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, still a fan favorite and owner of Bull's Barbecue at Citizens Bank Park, will run to raise awareness and funds for both TMF and Phillies Charities, Inc.

"We are so pleased Team McGraw and the Tug McGraw Foundation are partnering with the ING Philadelphia Distance Run this year," said Adam Zocks, General Manager of the event. "Over its 31-year history the event has become one of the premiere half-marathons in the country. This year's race will be no different as runners from throughout the world will once again take to the streets of Philadelphia and benefit a great cause in the Tug McGraw Foundation."

The ING Philadelphia Distance Run has been one of the most popular and respected half-marathons in the country for over 30 years. The 13.1 mile scenic course showcases many of the city's celebrated and historic sites. In addition to the picturesque course that traverses Center City and the roads along the Schuylkill River, the race features live bands performing on stages along the route and races for children between the ages of three and twelve.

For more information about running with Team McGraw, including registration details and information on a special discount for Team McGraw runners, visit: TeamMcGraw.org

For more information about the race, go to INGPhiladelphiaDistanceRun.com or call (800) 311-1255.

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