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ING New York City Marathon 2008 Draws Stellar Field for 39th Edition
Radcliffe to defend title; Olympic and World Championship medalists, past champions return to famed five borough race; guaranteed prize purse exceeds $600,000; World Marathon Majors finale

The ING New York City Marathon - set for Sunday, November 2 - again has drawn a deep international field including defending women's champion and world record holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain as well as recent race champions Marilson Gomes dos Santos, Paul Tergat and Hendrick Ramaala, two-time Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba and the 2007 women's race runner-up Gete Wami.

The large U.S. contingent is led by three-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and 2008 Olympian and 2007 World Championships 10,000 meter bronze medalist Kara Goucher who is making her anticipated marathon debut in the hometown of her birth (Queens).

The guaranteed prize purse for the 39th edition totals more than $600,000 with at least $130,000 to each men's and women's race champion. There are also time bonuses - up to a maximum of $70,000.

For the second consecutive year, the ING New York City Marathon will determine the World Marathon Majors Series women's champion with three women - reigning WMM Series champion Gete Wami of Ethiopia (65 points), Irina Mikitenko of Germany (65 pts) and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya (41 pts) still in contention for the $500,000 WMM champion's purse. Martin Lel of Kenya has already clinched the men's 2007-08 WMM title with 76 points. Complete WMM Series leaderboards and more can be found at: WorldMarathonMajors.com

NBC Sports will broadcast a one-hour highlights show nationwide beginning at 3:00pm EST on Sunday, November 2. The Universal Sports TV Network will also air the race live from 9:00am EST on their digital network (go to: UniversalSports.com). A 3-hour broadcast will be replayed beginning at 9:00pm.

ING New York City Marathon 2008 Professional Field
MEN
BIB# / Athlete / CTZ / Age / PR and race / Sponsor
2, Goumri, Abderrahim, MAR, 32, 2:05:30, London, 2008, Nike
3, Ramaala, Hendrick, Johannesburg, RSA, 36, 2:06:55, London, 2006, adidas
4, Gomes dos Santos, Marilson, BRA, 31, 2:08:37, London, 2007, Pão de Açucar / Nike
5, Tergat, Paul, Nairobi, KEN, 39, 2:04:55, Berlin, 2003, Nike
6, Abdirahman, Abdi, Tucson, AZ, USA, 31, 2:08:56, Chicago, 2006, Nike
7, Rono, Daniel, KEN, 30, 2:06:58, Rotterdam, 2008, adidas
8, Kirui, Abel, KEN, 26, 2:06:51, Berlin, 2007,
9, Kigen, Wilfred, KEN, 33, 2:07:33, Hamburg, 2007, ASICS
10, Rotich, Hosea, KEN, 29, 2:07:24, Paris, 2008, Nike
11, Macharia, Isaac, KEN, 27, 2:07:16, Dubai, 2008, adidas
12, Bouramdane, Abderrahime, MAR, 30, 2:08:20, Seoul, 2007, adidas
14, Lehmkuhle, Jason, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 31, 2:12:54, Olympic Trials, 2008, ASICS
15, Cheboiwyo, Boaz, Boulder, CO, KEN, 30, 1:01:35, San Jose, 2008, Nike
16, Rohatinsky, Josh, Portland, OR, USA, 26, 2:15:22, Olympic Trials, 2007, Nike
17, Jenkins, Nate, Lowell, MA, USA, 28, 2:14:56, Olympic Trials, 2008, Saucony
18, Asmerom, Bolota, San Francisco, CA, USA, 30, 13:15.16, Heusden, 2007, Oregon Track Club
19, Carney, James, Boulder, CO, USA, 30, 2:16:54, Olympic Trials, 2007, New Balance
20, Sundell, Steve, Redwood City, CA, USA, 26, 2:16:54, Olympic Trials, 2007, NYAC
21, Humphrey, Luke, Rochester, MI, USA, 27, 2:15:22, Chicago, 2006, Hansons
22, Frey, Jacob, Oakton, VA, USA, 27, 2:16:44, Pan Am Games, 2007, Saucony
23, Nuci, Miguel, Turlock, CA, USA, 29, 2:15:34, Cal Int'l, 2006, adidas Transports
24, Hailegiorgis, Dereje Tesfaye, New York, NY, ETH, 32, 2:11:10, Hamburg, 2006, West Side Runners
25, Deneke, Teklu Tefera, New York, NY, ETH, 29, 2:12:05, Valencia, 2007, West Side Runners
26, Katayama, Toshiya, JPN, 35, 2:10:12, Lake Biwa, 2005, NTT West Japan
28, Graff, Chris, Crofton, MD, USA, 33, 2:18:45, Birmingham, 2003, ASICS
29, Kabiso, Kassahun, Bronx, NY, ETH, 25, 2:14:59, Sacramento, 2006, Westchester TC
30, Tufa, Genna, Bronx, NY, ETH, 24, 2:19:14, Hartford, 2007, Westchester TC
31, Awol, Mohammed, Bronx, NY, ETH, 30, 2:17:15, Hartford, 2007, Westchester TC
32, Costello, Greg, Chicago, IL, USA, 27, 2:20:28, Olympic Trials, 2008, Nike Central Racing Team
33, Canady, Sage, Sheridan, OR, USA, 22, 2:21:43, Grandma's, 2007, Unattached
34, Wadsworth, Nate, Andover, KS, USA, 26, 2:21:51, Chicago, 2006, Kansas City Smoke/Brooks
35, Perez Nava, Tomas, Toluca, MEX, 30, 2:22:00, Torreon, 2008, UAEM
36, Beyi, Worku, Bronx, NY, ETH, 21, 2:26:13, New York, 2006, Westchester TC
37, Deniboba, Deresse, Bronx, NY, ETH, 26, 2:27:20, Mystic, 2006, Westchester TC
38, Gapak, Edvard, Brooklyn, NY, UKR, 25, 2:28:04, New York, 2007, Warren Street
39, Liuzzo, Antonino, Scicli, ITA, 29, 2:16:32, Merengo, 2003, Cover Mapei
41, Krzyscin, Andrzej, Gniezno, POL, 41, 2:12:10, Austin, 2002, ALTOM Gniezno
42, Lawson, Jerry, LaBelle, FL, USA, 42, 2:09:35, Chicago, 1997
43, Kaledin, Sergey, Ufa, RUS, 40, 2:12:14, Lyon, 1997, Foot Solutions Team
53, Jones, Steve, Boulder, CO, GBR, 53, 2:07:13, Chicago, 1985, Reebok
58, Dixon, Rod, Los Angeles, CA, NZL, 58, 2:08:59, New York, 1983
61, Rudyk, Mykola, New York, NY, UKR, 34, 2:12:29, Lyon, 1998, Warren Street
62, Holovnytskyy, Oleksander, New York, NY, UKR, 33, 2:19:10, Kiev, 2007, Warren Street
63, Mintzlaff, Oliver, Aspach, GER, 33, 1:04:35, Xanten, 1999, LG Bonn Trosidorf
65, Henwood, John, New York, NY, NZL, 36, 2:15:05, New York, 2005, NYAC

WOMEN
BIB# / Athlete / CTZ / Age / PR and race / Sponsor
1, Radcliffe, Paula, Monte Carlo, GBR, 34, 2:15:25, London, 2003, Nike
2, Wami, Gete, Addis Ababa, ETH, 33, 2:21:34, Berlin, 2006, Nike
3, Ndereba, Catherine, Nairobi, KEN, 36, 2:18:47, Chicago, 2001, Nike
4, Tune, Dire, Addis Ababa, ETH, 23, 2:24:40, Houston, 2008, Nike
5, Jeptoo, Rita, KEN, 27, 2:23:38, Boston, 2006, adidas
6, Morgunova, Lyubov, RUS, 37, 2:25:12, Rotterdam, 2008,
7, Goucher, Kara, Portland, OR, USA, 30, 1:06:57, Newcastle, 2007, Nike
8, Smith, Kim, Providence, RI, NZL, 26, 30:35.54 NR, Palo Alto, 2008, Reebok
9, Simon, Lidia, ROU, 35, 2:22:54, Osaka, 2000, New Balance
11, Haining, Hayley, Glasgow, GBR, 36, 2:29:18, London, 2008, ASICS
12, Lewy Boulet, Magdalena, Oakland, CA, USA, 35, 2:30:19, Olympic Trials, 2008, Saucony
14, McGregor, Katie, St. Louis Park, MN, USA, 31, 2:32:36, New York, 2006, Reebok
15, Hasell, Lucy, London, GBR, 30, 2:36:28, Austin, 2008, Bristol and West AC
16, Friedman, Robyn, Lambs Grove, IA, USA, 35, 2:35:02, Olympic Trials, 2008, Iowa's RunABlaze
17, Loroupe, Tegla, KEN, 35, 2:20:43, Berlin, 1999
19, Meyerhoff, Sally, Scottsdale, AZ, USA, 24, 2:39:39, Olympic Trials, 2008, Sole Sports/Skirt Sports
20, Christian, Melisa, Dallas, TX, USA, 32, 2:41:18, Olympic Trials, 2008, Unattached
21, Eap, Sopagna, Johns Island, SC, USA, 27, 2:40:19, Olympic Trials, 2008, Brooks
22, Dean, Abby, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 37, 2:41:25, Olympic Trials, 2008, PRTC/Puma
23, Bjune, Caroline, Andover, MA, USA, 34, 2:42:02, Olympic Trials, 2008, Merrimack Valley Striders / adidas Racing Team
24, Asfaw, Atalelech, Bronx, NY, ETH, 25, 2:42:14, Salt Lake City, 2008, Westchester Track Club
25, Ganushina, Victoria, Brooklyn, NY, UKR, 28, 2:42:50, New York, 2006
26, Gacek, Melissa, White Bear Lake, MN, USA, 32, 2:44:10, Olympic Trials, 2008, Run N Fun
28, Daly, Megan, Menlo Park, CA, USA, 29, 2:44:51, Olympic Trials, 2008, Impala Racing Team
29, Martin, Clare, London, GBR, 32, 2:51:08, London, 2008, Wells City Harriers Athletic Club
30, Paulson, Ilsa, Flagstaff, AZ, USA, 19, 1:13:22, NYC Half, 2008, Unattached
31, Bierbaum, Caroline, New York, NY, USA, 25, 3:01:00, Chicago, 2007, NYAC
32, Kotu, Meseret, Bronx, NY, ETH, 26, 2:30:26, Amsterdam, 2002, West Side Runners
33, Gleeson, Abbi, New York, NY, USA, 27, 2:52:30, Chicago, 2006, NYAC
34, Janosikova, Katarina, Richmond Hill, NY, SVK, 28, 1:18:21, Philadelphia, 2008, Running Divas New York
35, Graf, Stephanie, Völkermarkt, AUT, 35, Debut, N/A, LCC Wien
36, Mayger, Eliza, Darwin, AUS, 36, 2:46:34, Sydney, 2007, Darwin Runners and Walkers Inc.
37, Wilding, Catherine, London, GBR, 37, 2:49:07, London, 2007, Serpentine Running Club
38, Luna, Silvia, Ancona, ITA, 30, 2:52:38, Venice, 2007, Grottini Team
39, Knowles, Laurie, Atlanta, GA, USA, 31, 2:44:03, Olympic Trials, 2008
40, Petrova, Ludmila, Cheboksary, RUS, 40, 2:21:29, London, 2006, adidas
41, Vasseur, Nathalie, Gouesnou, FRA, 43, 2:41:25, Paris, 2006, SDV BOHARS
42, Pieterse, Zola, RSA, 42, Debut
43, Fiacconi, Franca, Rome, ITA, 43, 2:25:17, New York, 1998, Unattached
44, McCallum, Michaela, Winchester, GBR, 42, 2:38:28, Firenze, 1999, Winchester and District Athletic Club
45, Hazlitt, Karen, Winchester, GBR, 41, 2:43:30, Amsterdam, 2006, Winchester & District
46, Trost, Eva Christina, Piding, GER, 40, 2:44:51, Berlin, 2007
47, Fernandez, Marta, Valencia, ESP, 47, 2:32:51, Rotterdam, 2001, Valencia Terra i Mar
48, Glockenmeier, Christine, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA, 40, 2:47:52, Twin Cities, 2005, Warren Street
49, Andreucci, Lucilla, Milan, ITA, 38, 2:29:43, Milano, 2000, C.S. Forestale

Find complete race information at: INGnycmarathon.org

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New York Road Runners Offers New Elements for ING New York City Marathon 2008
Added elements both at the start and along the course, in addition to various pre-race promotions, to make this year's event memorable

NEW YORK - (October 27, 2008) - Wave starts, expanded split timing for all runners, more green initiatives and added on-course entertainment are some of the featured new elements put in place by New York Road Runners for the 39th running of the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2. More than 39,000 participants and millions of spectators are expected for the 26.2-mile, five-borough spectacle.

Celebrating 50 Years: Great Moments in New York Road Runners History
New York Road Runners will honor its past with the announcement of the top five Great Moments in New York Road Runners History. The moments were chosen by fan vote as part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of NYRR. The fans selected their favorite from a list of 15 NYRR Great Moments that had been compiled by a panel of journalists and NYRR officials.

A countdown of the top five Great Moments is taking place during ING New York City Marathon race week, with one Moment announced daily. Each announcement will feature guest appearances from running legends associated with the top Moment. New York Road Runners will also feature in each of the news releases the perspective of journalists who covered the races. All news releases will be available at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/media

Everyone can join in the 50th anniversary celebration at the annual Poland Spring Marathon Eve Fireworks on Saturday, November 1, beginning at 7:30pm. Spectators can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music, immediately followed by the number "50" in the sky ushered in by the singing of "Happy Anniversary to New York Road Runners".

At the Start: NYRR Institutes Wave Starts; Opera Singer Neal E. Boyd to Sing National Anthem
In one of the most significant changes since 1976 when the race was expanded to all five boroughs, this year's marathon will feature wave starts on the famed Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. The new plan calls for three waves, each utilizing all three existing starting lines. The first wave of the open field will begin at 9:40am and two additional waves will follow at 10:00 and 10:20. The professional women will still begin the race before the rest of the field; this year they will start 30 minutes earlier, at 9:10am. Runners in each wave are expected to clear the start in no more than six minutes. Complete information on the wave starts is available at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/startservices.php

Opera singer Neal Boyd is sure to inspire all of Staten Island - and parts of Brooklyn as well - with his beautiful, yet powerful voice, when he sings the televised performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" prior to the start of the professional men's race and the first wave of runners at 9:40am. Boyd is a tenor who received 14 million first place votes in the finals of this summer's "America's Got Talent" to win the $1 million prize. Complete information on all the ways to watch the broadcast of the race is available at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/coverage.php

Along the Course: On-Course Enhancements and Entertainment
For the first time ever, race organizers will track splits of all participants for the race's final 10 miles, beginning at mile 16 when runners exit the Queensboro Bridge onto First Avenue in Manhattan, until mile 26, within sight of the famed finish line at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Split times will be captured via the ChampionChip® system and will be logged on NYRR's Athlete Tracker application. Complete results will be available at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/results

The spectator experience has always been the centerpiece of the ING New York City Marathon. Now, the experience has just gotten better for a stretch in Harlem when runners are pushing through miles 22 and 23. New York Road Runners and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to expand on "The Harlem Mile", incorporating entertainment zones and stages at three key locations along Fifth Avenue. The stage at 135th Street will feature live Gospel; the stage at 125th Street will incorporate the sounds of both the Motown and Stax eras as well as today's R&B; and 117th Street will include Latin and Caribbean music.

The highlight of The Harlem Mile will be the first-ever grand celebration at Mt. Morris Park West between 124th and 120th streets. The area will have VIP seating for guests and live performances from a variety of artists.

More information on The Harlem Mile initiative will be available online at INGnycmarathon.org. Additionally, for the complete picture on the entire spectator experience, a comprehensive viewing guide is available at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/spectator.php

Going Green
New York Road Runners is dedicated to promoting the health and sustainability of the environment by reducing waste, reusing resources and recycling materials in its offices and at its races, and raising environmental awareness among its participants. This year, NYRR is working hard toward "greening" the ING New York City Marathon with the following eco-friendly practices; some have been in place prior to 2008 and others are new this year:

* Expanded recycling program will include the Barilla Marathon Eve Dinner and the start and finish locations.
* Clothing discarded at the Fort Wadsworth staging area and start is donated to charity.
* Portable toilet units provided for the marathon are made from recycled material, and they utilize recycled paper products and environmentally friendly chemicals.
* Biodiesel generators provided by GreeNow Inc., will power most of this year's finish line.
* Pedicabs provided by ING will offer complimentary rides to spectators from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue at multiple locations.
* Runners can help to offset their participation in the ING New York City Marathon by contributing to Million Trees NYC, a PLANYC initiative with NYC Parks and New York Restoration Project. Log on to http://MillionTreesNYC.org for more details.

Going Green: By the Numbers
* At least 95 percent of the 105,000 applications for the ING New York City Marathon are submitted online.
* More than 8,000 participants will arrive in Staten Island via ferries that use an ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
* City Harvest expects to collect 3,500 pounds of unused food from the start.
* In partnership with the Department of Sanitation of New York and Poland Spring Natural Brand Spring Water, over 11 tons of cardboard and plastic were recycled along the course of the ING New York City Marathon 2007.
* This year, more than 90,000 Poland Spring water bottles from the start alone are expected to be recycled. The new eco-friendly Poland Spring water bottles are made with 30 percent less plastic than previous bottles.
* In 2007, five tons of waste was removed from the finish line alone. New to this year, almost all of the trash from the finish line will be sorted. Officials estimate that 80 percent of that waste will be recyclable.
* Biodiesel generators at this year's finish line will reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 50 percent.

Sponsor Activation
This year's race features numerous promotions and examples of exceptional sponsor partner activation. Fans can win a 2008 Toyota Prius by voting in the "Pick and Drive" sweepstakes at www.pickandrive.com for the men's and women's professional athletes they think will make the podium.

Food Emporium is offering special marathon savings at their 16 Manhattan locations, in addition to providing special offers on Marathon sponsor products plus a Marathon Sweepstakes to be drawn on November 7 with prizes from our sponsors.

In order to help runners fuel their bodies adequately before the big day, Barilla Pasta, the Italian Consulate and New York Road Runners have partnered to give people the opportunity to dine at participating restaurants on Barilla pasta "marathon" specials to help charity.

Emerald Nuts will be handing out healthy snacks along the last five miles of the course to provide fuel for spectators as they cheer runners on in their final push to the finish line.

New for 2008, NYRR has partnered with RunningPins.com to create the inaugural line of ING New York City Marathon trading pins. The pins will be sold at the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, the Marathon Monday Store, and the online Marathon Store at NYRR.org.

More about these special opportunities are at: www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/opportunities.php

Behind the Scenes at NYRR
Building on this year's "What Does It Take?" advertising campaign theme, NYRR staff has provided an insider's "behind the scenes" look at the organization's preparations on its own blog, "Marathon Moments." Staff members have blogged on a variety of topics, including a post from "Handbook Maven" on the massive effort it takes to put together the Official Handbook, to the parallels "Web Guy Ed" draws between the '80s hit movie St. Elmo's Fire and NYRR, to daily Better Know a Pro posts from "Samo." Mary Wittenberg also frequently shares her thoughts. Read the blog entries at: http://ingnycmarathon.wordpress.com/

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Tempe Runner Tim Keller Defends Title at Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K
Jacksonville's Julie Stackhouse wins her second women's race at Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.- (Oct. 25, 2008) - Tim Keller (Tempe, Ariz.) won the 2008 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando On Saturday night. Keller, 27, defended his title as he finished the 8.1 mile course in 46 minutes, 56 seconds. Keller defeated his nearest competitor by 11 seconds although he was more than three minutes off last year's pace (43:31).

Michael Creason, from Charlotte, N.C., who won his age group (35-39) last year and finished fifth overall, crossed the line runner-up in 47:07. The 37-year-old improved on his time from the 2007 race by over a minute and a half (48:43). Nathan Buttrick, 28, of Boston, Mass. was third (47:28).

In the women's race, Julie Stackhouse (Jacksonville, Fla.) won in 51:47, besting her competition by more than two minutes. This was the second victory at Disney for the 29-year-old assistant track and cross country coach at the University of North Florida as she previously won the 2007 Race for the Taste 10K. Kristen Zieminski, 23, of Orlando, Fla. finished second in 53:53, while Courtney Phillips (Neptune Beach, Fla.) rounded out the women's top three with her 54:05.

In the Masters division, JP Hendricks, 41, of Parkland, Fla. led the 40 and older pack crossing the finish line at 48:00 and finished sixth overall. Jean Schalk (Pompano Beach, Fla.), 45, won the women's Masters race in 56:41.

The second night-time race kicked off with a dazzling fireworks display at Disney's Hollywood Studios before runners begin the 8.1-mile night-time journey across Walt Disney World Resort. Runners ventured off to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex before heading back to Disney's Hollywood Studios where they ran through the set of "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" and past Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat.

At the finish, each participant received a medal shaped like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride and included a retractable elevator. The athletes were also able to enjoy an exclusive post-race party at the Disney-Hollywood Studios that featured live music and deejays spread throughout the park. The runners attending the party, along with their family and friends, also had the opportunity to take exclusive rides aboard Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, The Great Movie Ride and the Star Tours - the ultimate Star Wars thrill ride.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K is one of the many races a part of the Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort, which includes marathons, road races, adventure races and triathlons for all ages and skill levels that give recreational athletes the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way "around the world" of the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort often to raise donations for charitable causes.

Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), Disney's Princess Half Marathon (March) and Disney's Race for the Taste 10K (October).

For more information on Endurance Series events at Walt Disney World Resort, visit: DisneyEnduranceSeries.com

2nd Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K
Walt Disney World Resort, FL, Saturday, October 25, 2008

MEN
1) Tim Keller (AZ), 46:56
2) Michael Creason (NC), 47:07
3) Nathan Buttrick (MA), 47:28

WOMEN
1) Julie Stackhouse (FL), 51:47
2) Kristen Zieminski (FL), 53:53
3) Courtney Phillips (FL), 54:05

More results at: TowerofTerror13K.com

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