World Record Holders Set To Compete At 2002 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
Virginia Beach, VA, - (August 15, 2002) - The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon announces its elite field for the second annual event, as world record holders and Olympic medallists face off on September 1, 2002.
Posted Monday, 19 August, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audra Hoffmeyer, (800) 311-1255
World Record Holders Set To Compete At 2002 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
Virginia Beach, VA, - (August 15, 2002) - The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon announces its elite field for the second annual event, as world record holders and Olympic medallists face off on September 1, 2002.
With one of the fastest and flattest courses in road racing, the 2002 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon boasts an elite invitational field that includes some of the most prestigious names in road racing.
Led by defending champion (1:02:19) Shadrack Hoff of South Africa, the men's field will feature two-time Olympic Silver Medallist and current half-marathon world record holder, Paul Tergat of Kenya (59:17). Tergat has shown incredible versatility and has mastered the demanding terrain of cross-country, the track, and now the roads.
Tergat is the 2nd fastest marathoner of all time and one of the greatest distance runners in history.
Joining Tergat will be South Africa's Elana Meyer who is the current female world record holder in the half marathon (66:44).
"Having two of the greatest distance runners of all time is truly rewarding and makes the field of athletes one of the finest ever assembled on American soil." said Mike Long, Elite Athlete Coordinator for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.
Meyer will face strong competition from defending Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon champion Deena Drossin. Drossin is coming off of her greatest season in running with her American debut-record at the 2001 New York City Marathon (2:26:58) and a world record performance at the 2002 Carlsbad 5000 (14:54).
In addition to Drossin, Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui is currently at the top of the running world after capturing two world road records in a two-month period of time. Leghzaoui shattered the 10K World Record with a 30:29 finish in June at New York's Mini-Marathon. In July, she headed to Tennessee for the Crazy 8's road race where she seized the 8K World Record in 24:28.
"It is very gratifying to have last year's winners return," stated Mike Long. "And when you add in the current record holders for that distance, it becomes evident that the 2002 edition of the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon should be a very special event."
For optimal television coverage and spectator viewing, the women's invitational field will start at 6:45 a.m., 15 minutes prior to the official start. This is rarely seen at major U.S. road races. The sold-out event will be televised locally on WAVY-TV 10 and nationally on Fox Sports Net. The Elite Invitational runners will vie for more than $80,000 in cash and bonuses - the largest half marathon purse in the U.S.
The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will host 15,000 runners and feature more than 20 live bands along its 13.1-mile course. In addition, 14 energetic high school cheerleading squads will root for the runners in a "Spirit on the Course" competition. The post-race evening concert on the boardwalk,
featuring LIVE, is free to all participants and volunteers.
For information on the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon visit www.RnRHalf.com, or call (800) 311-1255 or contact the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin Drive, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92121.
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Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services
USATF Road Running Information Center
5522 Camino Cerralvo
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
http://www.runningusa.org
http://www.usaldr.org
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