FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Deep Fields Expected to Compete for $132,000 Prize Purse
at the 2016 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Events
Stephen Njoroge returns to defend marathon title; Ethiopians Alem Kifle and
Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo headline women's field; $40,500 American
Development Program bonuses also available
PITTSBURGH – Deep international fields are expected in both the men's and
women's race for the 8th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, set for
Sunday, May 1. Stephen Njoroge of Kenya will return to defend his title in
the Steel City after winning last year's race in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 19
seconds. Ethiopians Alem Kifle and Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo lead the
women's race with personal bests of 2:30:13 and 2:33:51, respectively.
This year's DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events
offers a guaranteed $132,000 prize. The purse also includes American
bonuses totaling $40,500 as part of the American Development Program, a P3R
initiative to increase exposure and racing opportunities for emerging
American runners.
Top American men competing in this year's race include Pennsylvania
resident Jed Christiansen with a personal best of 2:18:31 and Fidele
Jefferson who finished runner-up at the 2014 DICK'S Sporting Goods
Pittsburgh Marathon.
"I will take extra care to not go out too fast this year,"Christiansen
said. "You can negative split the course and that is what I hope to do. I
don't worry too much about my position early in the race and who is ahead
of me or running with me. A marathon, particularly with some big hills, is
a long way to go."
Top American women competing this year include Phebe Ko with a personal
best of 2:41:42 and Kaitlin O'Sullivan with a personal best of 2:45:28.
"I am very much looking forward to the Pittsburgh Marathon!"Ko said. "I
have great memories of the event when I ran the race in 2009 and 2010,
placing second overall both times. The race organization and entire
experience was top-notch then, and I expect nothing less this time around."
For more information about the 2016 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh
Marathon, go to: ThePittsburghMarathon.com
MEN'S MARATHON
Stephen Njoroge, KEN, Unattached, 2:14:10, defending champion
Tekeste Nekatibebe, ETH, Unattached, 2:10:17
Musa Ido, ETH, Unattached, 2:10:28
Negash Abebe Duki, ETH, WSX, 2:11:14
Werkuhah Aboye Seyoum, ETH, WSX, 2:11:43
Birhanu Dare Kemal, ETH, Unattached, 2:13:14
Fidele Jefferson, USA, Unattached, 2:15:19
Jed Christiansen, USA, Playmakers Elite/NB, 2:18:31
Bryan Morseman, USA, MG.com/Skechers, 2:19:57
Abu Kebebe Diriba, ETH, Unattached, 2:24:30
Arturs Bareikis, USA, FR Elite, 2:25:00
Adam Schroer, USA, Unattached, 2:25:31
J Penney, USA, Johnson City Athletics, 2:27:00
Josh Simpson, USA, Unattached, 2:27:22
Job Christiansen, USA, Playmakers Elite/NB, Debut
Thomas Rammelkamp, USA, Capital Area Runners, 2:32:08
WOMEN'S MARATHON
Alem Kifle, ETH, Unattached, 2:30:13
Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo, ETH, WSX, 2:33:51
Phebe Ko, USA, Under Armour, 2:41:42
Kaitlin O'Sullivan, USA, Boston Athletic Assn, 2:45:28
Mindy Sawtelle-Zottola, USA, Unattached, 2:46:13
Krista Seibert, USA, Columbus RC, 2:47:00
Kati Snyder, USA, Unattached, 2:49:37
Sara Zambotti, USA, Unattached, 2:50:04
Shanna Ailes Istnick, USA, Vertical Runner, 2:53:30
Link to story:
http://www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/News-Item-Deep-Fields-Expected-to-Comp
ete-at-the-2016-DICKS-Sporting-Goods-Pittsburgh-Marathon-Event
Story contact: Kelsey Jackson, P3R Public Relations Manager, 417-425-9400
About the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
The 2016 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is not just a race -
it's a journey. The race is your game - however you decide to play it. As a
competitor. A fundraiser. An enthusiast. A veteran. A team player. It's
whatever you want it to be. It's whatever you make it. It's your game… Run
it. Play it. Own it. Love it. #GameOnPGH!
Organized by the P3R, the 8th edition will be held April 30-May 1, 2016.
For more information, go to: thePittsburghMarathon.com
FACEBOOK: DSGPM TWITTER: @PghMarathon INSTAGRAM: PghMarathon HASHTAG:
#PghMarathon #GameOnPGH
About P3R
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love
of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and
activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh
Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events and
health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of
our races attract some of the nation's highest-profile professional
athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only
criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active!
Learn more at: www.P3R.org
FACEBOOK: P3Revents TWITTER: @P3REvents
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