ING New York City Marathon Preview: Tergat, Prokopcuka to Defend Titles Against Stellar Field
Keflezighi, Kastor lead U.S. hopes for first race champion since 1982; record guaranteed prize purse exceeds $740,000

E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: IAAF Preview U.S. marathoners expected to contend Countdown to men’s Olympic Marathon Trials begins in NY

By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire
Posted Thursday, 2 November, 2006

Who will win the 37th ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 5? Will Paul Tergat or Jelena Prokopcuka defend their 2005 titles? Will the first American since Alberto Salazar in 1982 finally break the tape in Central Park? Like past editions, another heralded professional field including top Americans and 2004 Olympic Marathon medalists Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor is expected at the flagship five borough 26.2 mile race.

Last year, against a beautiful fall day, Tergat and Hendrick Ramaala waged an epic battle as Tergat edged Ramaala at the tape in the closet finish in race history, 2:09:30 to 2:09:31, while in Central Park, Prokopcuka pulled away from Susan Chepkemei to earn the women's crown. Ramaala and Chepkemei are also returning for another shot at the winner's circle.

This year's race promises similar great competition with a field comprised of Olympic and world champions, world and national record holders, past race champions and major marathon winners. For Keflezighi, second here in 2004 and third in 2005, this year could be his glory year, while his Team Running USA teammate Kastor, who set the U.S. marathon record of 2:19:36 in winning last April's Flora London Marathon, is also ready to break the U.S. victory drought at New York City. In addition, Dathan Ritzenhein and Katie McGregor, U.S. 10,000 meter specialists, will be making their anticipated marathon debuts. See the professional athlete list with bib number further below.

The weather forecast for Sunday's race is partly cloudy with a low of 40 and a high of 51 degrees Fahrenheit. The women's professional race will start at 9:35am, while the rest of the 37,000 strong field including the professional men will begin at 10:10am.

The ING New York City Marathon 2006 offers the largest guaranteed prize purse in marathon history with more than $740,000 including $130,000 for each race champion. Part of the prize purse includes $100,000 for U.S. runners with $20,000 to the top American per gender. In addition, the race offers time bonuses starting at sub-2:11:30 (men) and sub-2:29:00 (women).

For the first time in its 37-year history, the event will be broadcast on the web. NBCSports.com in cooperation with MediaZone and NBC Sports will provide LIVE and On Demand online race day coverage starting at 9:30am EST at NBCSports.MediaZone.com for only $4.99. As part of the offering, "RunnerCam" and "LanceCam" will allow viewers to track specific participants and cycling icon and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.

NBC Sports will also broadcast a one-hour highlights show nationwide beginning at 2:00pm EST on Sunday; check your local NBC listings for details.

The ING NYC Marathon - the largest marathon in the world based on finishers - is expected to draw 37,000 participants, more than 2.5 million cheering spectators and 315 million television viewers worldwide.

The race is also the final 2006 stop of the inaugural World Marathon Major Series which also includes the Boston, real,- Berlin and LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathons.

2006 ING New York City Marathon Professional Field
as of November 1

Bib# / Athlete, Country / Marathon PR, Location / Comment
MEN
1 Paul Tergat, Kenya, 2:04:55, Berlin 2003 (world record); defending champion
2 Hendrick Ramaala, South Africa, 2:06:55, London 2006; last year's ING NYC Marathon runner-up; 2004 ING NYC Marathon champion
3 Meb Keflezighi, USA / CA, 2:09:53, New York City 2004; 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist; two-time Olympian
4 Stefano Baldini, Italy, 2:07:22, London 2006 (Italian record); 2004 Olympic Marathon champion
5 Rodgers Rop, Kenya, 2:07:34, London 2006; 2002 Boston Marathon & NYC Marathon champion
6 William Kipsang, Kenya, 2:06:39, Amsterdam 2003
7 Titus Munji, Kenya, 2:06:15, Berlin 2003
8 Dathan Ritzenhein, USA / CO, debut; 2004 Olympian 10,000 meters
9 Raymond Kipkoech, Kenya, 2:06:47, Berlin 2002
10 Simon Wangai, Kenya, 2:12:08, Berlin 2004
11 Hailu Negussie, Ethiopia, 2:08:16, Hofu 2002; 2005 Boston Marathon champion
12 Alan Culpepper, USA / CO, 2:09:41 (U.S. debut record), Chicago 2002; two-time Olympian
13 Daniel Yego, Kenya, 2:08:16, Rome 2005
14 Daniel Cheribo, Kenya, 2:08:38, Milan 2004
15 Marilson Gomes dos Santos, Brazil, 2:08:48, Chicago 2004
16 Thomas Nyariki, Kenya, 2:21:51, Chicago 2005
17 Peter Gilmore, USA / CA, 2:12:45, Boston 2006
20 Stephen Kiogora, Kenya, 2:09:21, Chicago 2004
22 Andrew Letherby, Australia, 2:11:42, Berlin, 2005
25 Worku Beyi, Ethiopia, debut
28 Joe Driscoll, USA / NC, debut
29 Pat Gildea, USA / TN, debut
30 Matt Gabrielson, USA / MN, debut

WOMEN
F1 Jelena Prokopcuka, Latvia, 2:22:56, Osaka 2005; defending champion
F2 Deena Kastor, USA / CA, 2:19:36, London 2006 (U.S. record); 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist; fourth fastest woman all-time
F3 Rita Jeptoo, Kenya, 2:23:28, Boston 2006; Boston Marathon champion this year
F4 Catherine Ndereba, Kenya, 2:18:47, Chicago 2001 (African record); 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist; four-time Boston Marathon champion
F5 Susan Chepkemei, Kenya, 2:21:46, London 2006; last year's runner-up
F6 Lornah Kiplagat, Netherlands, 2:22:22, Osaka 2002; 2006 World 20K champion
F7 Tatiana Hladyr, Ukraine, 2:25:44, Rome 2006 (Ukrainian record); Rome Marathon 2006 winner
F8 Lidiya Grigoryeva, Russia, 2:25:10, Los Angeles 2006; LA Marathon champion this year
F9 Nina Rillstone, New Zealand, 2:29:46, Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon 2006
F10 Silvia Skvortsova, RUS, 2:27:07, London 2002
F11 Katie McGregor, USA / MN, debut, three-time USA champion
F12 Magdalena Lewy Boulet, USA / CA, 2:30:50, St. Louis 2004
F14 Samia Akbar, USA / VA, debut

For more race information, visit: INGNYCMarathon.org

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
]www.RunningUSA.org

Related info:
IAAF Preview

U.S. marathoners expected to contend

Countdown to men’s Olympic Marathon Trials begins in NY

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