American Standouts McGregor and Gilmore Added to ING New York City Marathon Field
Also, a $100,000 U.S.-only prize purse is announced

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By Running USA
Posted Thursday, 21 September, 2006

Contacts: Richard Finn, (212) 423-2229 | rfinn@nyrr.org or Kerrin Perniciaro, (212) 423-2294 | kperniciaro@nyrr.org, Media Relations Department, NYRR

NEW YORK - (September 19, 2006) - The 2005 USA 10,000 meter champion Katie McGregor will make her long-awaited marathon debut on Sunday, November 5 at the ING New York City Marathon 2006, it was announced Tuesday by New York Road Runners president and CEO and ING New York City Marathon race director Mary Wittenberg. McGregor and rising men's star Peter Gilmore, whose entry in the race was also announced by Wittenberg, are among a host of American hopefuls who will be competing in this year's race.

As part of its continuing support of American long-distance running, NYRR also announced that a $100,000 prize purse will be divided among the top five U.S. male and female finishers. The top American man and woman will each receive $20,000 (see American Division Prize Purse, next page).

"We are proud to add a guaranteed American prize purse to this year's ING New York City Marathon," said Wittenberg. "Our decision to do so is part of our longstanding commitment to foster and promote high-level distance running in this country, as well as a reflection of the caliber of today's American distance runners. Our best are now among the world's best. Our up-and-comers have the potential to surpass the current stars someday. This announcement is part of an overall celebration of American distance running."

McGregor joins a women's field that includes 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist Deena Kastor of the United States, defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia and 2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya.

Gilmore, who was seventh at this year's Boston Marathon, steps into an impressive lineup of U.S. men led by 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi and Olympians Alan Culpepper and Dathan Ritzenhein. Defending ING New York City Marathon champion and world record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya and reigning Olympic Marathon champion Stefano Baldini of Italy are also in the field.

McGregor, 29, just missed an Olympic berth with her fourth place finish in the 10,000 meters at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but the Team USA Minnesota returned in 2005 with her finest season yet, capturing national titles and setting personal bests on the track (10,000 meters) and the roads (10K).

"Katie's debut is the most highly anticipated debut of an American woman since Deena Kastor and Marla Runyan," said Wittenberg. "Like a train, we have seen her coming from a distance, consistently chugging along and each year gathering steam."

As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, McGregor, who now resides in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, was a nine-time All-American and won NCAA titles in the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championship 3000 meters, the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championship Distance Medley Relay, and the 1998 NCAA Cross Country Championship. Her personal best time of 31:21.20 in the 10,000 meters came in 2005 when she finished 14th at the IAAF World Championships.

"I am very excited to run the ING New York City Marathon," said McGregor. "I can't imagine a better way to experience the city than running through the five boroughs and celebrating years of tradition, diversity, and character with all the other runners and spectators. I am ready for the challenge."

Gilmore, 29, of San Mateo, Calif., finished seventh in the 2006 Boston Marathon with a personal best time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 45 seconds. He competed as a member of Team USA in the 2005 IAAF World Championships Marathon. Last year in New York, he posted a time of 2:16:39 to place 17th overall.

"Peter is in a position to motivate high school and college runners everywhere," said Wittenberg. "This is a regular guy who is a workhorse and believes in himself. With little fanfare and steady progression, he has propelled himself into the upper echelons of USA distance running."

In addition to McGregor and Gilmore, New York Road Runners announced Americans Matt Downin (Madison, Wis.), Joe Driscoll (Blowing Rock, N.C.), Matt Gabrielson (St. Paul, Minn.) and Zika Palmer (Blowing Rock, N.C.) for the ING New York City Marathon 2006.

Downin was 11th last year in New York with a personal record of 2:14:28. Driscoll and Gabrielson will be making their marathon debuts, while Palmer, who is program director of an elite development camp in North Carolina, recorded a personal best marathon time of 2:41:06 at the 2005 Twin Cities Marathon / USA Marathon Championships.

ING New York City Marathon 2006 American Division Prize Purse
(equal for men and women; cumulative with Open amounts, if applicable)

1) $20,000
2) $15,000
3) $10,000
4) $3000
5) $2000
TOTAL = $50,000 men + $50,000 women = $100,000

The 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 90,000 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 312 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 672,000 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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