Kansas City's Hospital Hill Run Welcomes Elite Field
Fast legs for Open and Masters divisions toe start line on June 6; course records under threat

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Posted Friday, 5 June, 2009

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (June 4, 2009) - The 36th Hospital Hill Run announces its elite field for half-marathon on Saturday, June 6. Some are attracted to the expanded prize purse, while others simply want to compete on the famous course that has been covered by running legends and stars such as Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Billy Mills, Jim Ryun, Ryan Shay, Jenny Crain and Helen Moros.

The men's field has drawn a remarkable selection of talent for this year's race, including many runners with proven sub-1:10 speed, and six who have run faster than the event record of 1 hour, 3 minutes, 26 seconds established by Gert Thys in 1996. Standouts on the men's side include Demesse Tefera of Ethiopia, winner of the April SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC; Kenyans Rotich Kipruto, winner of Memphis' Germantown Half Marathon in March and Jynocel Basweti, who finished second in the ING Miami Marathon last January.

On the women's side, Hyvon Ngetich of Kenya brings a personal best 1:09:45 half-marathon time to the race, and countrywomen Ogla Kimaiyo and Caroline Rotich, both of whom have sub-1:13 finishes. Each may vie for the event record of 1:12:54 set back in 1992 by Janis Klecker.

"We're extremely excited to have such an impressive elite field at this year's Hospital Hill Run," said race director Beth Salinger. "It only adds to the excitement at the oldest running event in Kansas City and provides spectators with an opportunity to watch world class athletes run through the streets of their city."

First held in 1974 with a field of 99 runners, the Hospital Hill Run, a non-for-profit organization, has grown in size and stature over the ensuing years to the point that it was named one of the top races in the country by Runner's World magazine.

For more information, go to www.HospitalHillRun.com or call (312) 925-6067.

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