Star-Studded Elite Field, Marathon Legends, Race Expo and Kids Events Add Magic to 25th Annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run
PHILADELPHIA - (September 12, 2002) - In the quarter-century since it was first contested in 1978, the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run has grown into one of the largest participatory sporting events in Philadelphia.
Posted Thursday, 12 September, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Reynolds for JHPDR, (610) 566-1960/chris@reynoldsink.com
Star-Studded Elite Field, Marathon Legends, Race Expo and Kids Events Add Magic to 25th Annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run
PHILADELPHIA - (September 12, 2002) - In the quarter-century since it was first contested in 1978, the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run has grown into one of the largest participatory sporting events in Philadelphia, and a highlight of the running season for recreational and elite athletes alike.
For silver edition on Sunday, September 15, world marathon record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Catherine Ndereba return to defend their course records (1:00:27 set in 1997 and 1:08:30 set last year) along with pursuers including defending men's champion Ronald Mogaka and U.S. Olympian Marla Runyan. Other top international athletes expected are Stephen Kiogora (KEN), Simon Rono (KEN), John Kagwe (KEN), Abner Chipu (RSA), Belay Wolasha (ETH), Peter Githuka (KEN), Mitsunori Hirayama (JPN), Eric Mack (USA/CO) and Terrence Mahon (USA/PA) and Gladys Asiba (KEN), Kayoko Obata (JPN), Ichiyo Naganuma (JPN), Luminita Talpos (ROM) and Kim Fitchen (USA/CA).
Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit and Rod Dixon are among the distance running legends expected to recall their glory years as they run in the Philadelphia races, and former marathon world record holder Alberto Salazar will speak at the Race Expo and encourage younger runners at Saturday's Kids' Run.
In honor of the race's silver anniversary, a $50,000 bonus will be awarded to a runner who wins the race in world record time. While top international competition makes the JHPDR one of the premier American half-marathons, a weekend full of running and fitness events extends the Run Philadelphia Festival of Races to everyone from toddlers to hard-core running fanatics.
HALF-MARATHON RECORDS
World
59:17 Paul Tergat (KEN) Stramilano, ITA 04/04/98
1:06:44 Elana Meyer (RSA) Tokyo City, JPN 01/15/99
U.S. All-Comers and Course
1:00:27 Khalid Khannouchi (MAR) Philadelphia Distance Run, PA 09/28/97
1:08:30 Catherine Ndereba (KEN) Philadelphia Distance Run, PA 09/16/01
U.S.
1:00:55 Mark Curp Philadelphia Distance Run, PA 09/15/85
1:08:34 Joan Benoit Philadelphia Distance Run, PA 09/17/84
The Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run, a Running USA Founding Member, is the fourth largest half-marathon in the country with 6,394 finishers in 2001 and the home of numerous road records including 7 U.S. age group marks. The press and the public can obtain more information on the web at www.philadistancerun.org or by phone at the race hotline at (215) 564-6499. Media information is available from Chris Reynolds at (610) 566-1960 (office), (610) 547-9800 (mobile) or email chris@reynoldsink.com.
# # #
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
i