Running USA wire 40, May 19, 2009

Kristin Herring women's winner; field of more than 5,000 runners participates at second edition in historic Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - (May 17, 2009) - For the second consecutive year, Tim Young of Fredericksburg, VA was the top finisher at the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon. Young, 22, improved by two minutes over his 2008 winning time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, 51 seconds by finishing in 1:06:57 to lead the field of 5,007 runners on Sunday. Taking a lead within mile one that was never challenged, Young finished more than three minutes ahead of the runner-up Aaron Church of South Riding, VA. Periods of strong rain and wind did not prevent 4,951 runners from completing the run through historic Fredericksburg.

Kristin Herring, 30, of Elizabeth City, NC, led all female finishers with a time of 1:28:35.

The Semper Fred 5K held in conjunction with the Historic Half boasted 507 finishers including Fredericksburg native James Parry, the top male finisher (17:33) and Robin Vanneman of Stafford, VA, who was the women's winner (19:37).

Organized by the Marine Corps Marathon staff, the Historic Half mission is to generate community goodwill, promote physical fitness and showcase the organizational skills of the Marine Corps.

2nd Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon
Fredericksburg, VA, Sunday, May 17, 2009

MEN
1) Timothy Young (VA), 1:06:57
2) Aaron Church (VA), 1:10:05
3) Billy Vanvianen (NC), 1:15:51

WOMEN
1) Kristin Herring (NC), 1:28:35
2) Molly Roohi (VA), 1:29:30
3) Dolores Ware (VA), 1:29:45

Complete race results at: www.MarineCorpsHistoricHalf.com

$100,000 incentive to break the 10K world road record is attracting some of the world's fastest runners for MDS Nordion 10K

OTTAWA, Canada - Deriba Merga, this year's Boston Marathon champion, is setting his sights on the 2009 MDS Nordion 10K, set for Saturday, May 23rd, and a possible $100,000 world record bonus (27:02) at this year's Ottawa Race Weekend.

"I love to race and I love competition. When my manager told me about the opportunity to compete in Ottawa and attempt the 10K world record, I was very excited," said Deriba Merga. "I have heard a lot about this great event. I am happy and ready to come to Ottawa and run a new world record."

Merga, 28, has already had a great year. The Ethiopian won and set a new course record (2:07:52) at the Chevron Houston Marathon in January. He tied the 15K world road record while en route to placing third at the RAK Half-Marathon in February. And in April, he decisively won the 113th Boston Marathon.

Patrick Makau, the RAK Half-Marathon winner, will be providing stiff competition for the 10K world record. Makau is the second fastest half-marathoner in history, and the Kenyan was one second behind when Deriba tied the 15K world record.

"Our fast and scenic 10K has extremely enthusiastic spectator support," says Manny Rodrigues, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Run Ottawa. "When combined with this year's great competitors, it is a formula for a world record."

Returning as a credible contender this year is Julius Kiptoo, last year's MDS Nordion 10K winner. Hillary Kimaiyo, who has run the fastest ever 10K (26:01), albeit on an extreme downhill course, also strongly believes he can take this world record.

Manny Rodrigues feels this is the best field the Ottawa Race Weekend has ever seen.

Women also providing strong competition
Deriba Merga should also be keeping his eye on the women this year as the top women at the MDS Nordion 10K are given a head start and the first athlete across the line wins an additional $5000. Last year, 18-year-old female Emebet Bacha lost the challenge to Julius Kiptoo by mere inches.

Bacha is returning this year to be challenged by two runners have personal bests of more than a minute faster than Bacha's 2008 winning time: Tebya Erkesso and Marina Ivanova.

Other female runners expected to be in the lead pack include the 2008 MDS Nordion 3rd place finisher Hyvon Ngetich, Jane Murage, Jane Kibii and Canadian Tara Quinn-Smith.

The list of professionals participating as well as prize purse numbers are available at: www.runottawa.ca/index.php/en/media/2009-elite-10k