Bob Kennedy to Make His Marathon Debut at the ING New York City Marathon
Posted Thursday, 13 May, 2004
NEW YORK - (May 12, 2004) - Ending years of speculation, Bob Kennedy,
two-time Olympian and the American record-holder at 3000 and 5000 meters,
has entered the ING New York City Marathon 2004 on Sunday, November 7. New
York Road Runners president and CEO Allan Steinfeld made the announcement
with Kennedy at a luncheon today at the New York Athletic Club.
Kennedy will bring years of world-class running experience to the line in
New York as he makes his long-anticipated marathon debut. He joins 2004
Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor as the second official entrant in this
year's professional athlete field.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bob to New York," said Steinfeld, also the ING
New York City Marathon race director. "We are eager to see him bring the
same guts, speed, and tenacity that have made him a success in cross country
and on the track to the marathon distance, and what better place to do it
than here in New York."
Twice an Olympian at 5000 meters, Kennedy finished 12th in Barcelona in 1992
and sixth in Atlanta in 1996. In the Atlanta race, he thrilled the home
crowd when he briefly took the lead midway. Kennedy was seventh in the 1995
World Championships at 5000 meters and sixth in the 1997 World
Championships.
Kennedy, 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is arguably the best American
distance runner ever with American records of 7:30.84 for 3000 meters and
12:58.21 for 5000 meters. He is the only American to ever break 13 minutes
for 5000 meters, and has won the 5000 meter national title four times.
Though he has been plagued by injury and illness in recent years, he has
recently returned to form and is the reigning USA 10K road (28:35) and USA
Cross Country 12K (35:03) titlist.
Kennedy's marathon potential and the timing of his debut have been subjects
of intense interest and speculation. Today, flanked by Marcus O'Sullivan,
his longtime running adviser and the head cross country and track coach at
Villanova University, Kennedy announced that the time is finally right.
"I've thought about the marathon for some time, but have not felt as though
the time was right for this new challenge until now," said Kennedy. "It's an
honor to have the opportunity to take this next step in my athletic career
at one of the world's greatest footraces, the ING New York City Marathon."
About the ING New York City Marathon
The ING New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners
(NYRR). Inaugurated in 1970 with 127 entrants, the ING New York City
Marathon has grown into the world's premier road race, featuring 35,000
participants, more than two million spectators, a leading professional
field, and a guaranteed prize purse of more than $500,000. Broadcast across
the nation and in 125 countries worldwide, the 26.2-mile footrace is the
United States' most watched one-day sporting event. The ING New York City
Marathon joins the USA Men's 8K Championships and the Circle of Friends New
York Mini 10K as the cornerstones of the NYRR Professional Racing Series and
continues NYRR's tradition of bringing the very best runners in the world to
New York City. For more information visit: www.ingnycmarathon.org
About New York Road Runners
Founded in 1958 with a membership of 47, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is one
of the world's foremost running organizations. NYRR is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to promoting the sport of running and walking for
health, recreation, and competition, and provides full professional services
related to all aspects of racing. The organization has a full-time staff of
more than 60 employees, supplemented by a network of thousands of
volunteers, serving 40,000 members from every U.S. state and more than 100
countries.
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