FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Debut Marathon Record Holder Moses Mosop Eyes 2011 Bank of America
Chicago Marathon for Encore Performance
After Course Tour with Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, Mosop Has
High Hopes for Chicago's Flat and Fast Route
CHICAGO – Kenya's Moses Mosop, the debut marathon record holder, today
announced he will run the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, aiming to
improve upon his historic first marathon. Mosop's time of 2:03:06 at the
2011 Boston Marathon is the fastest marathon ever run by a first-timer and
the second fastest marathon in history. After taking a course tour in
Chicago with Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski, Mosop believes he can
capitalize on Chicago's flat and fast route and energetic neighborhoods to
run even faster in his second attempt at the marathon distance on October
9.
Mosop's Boston time broke the previous debut record of 2:05:50 set by
Kenya's Evans Rutto at the 2003 Chicago Marathon. Mosop's performance ranks
as the second-fastest marathon all-time behind fellow Kenyan and 2011
Boston Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai's 2:03:02.
"I was very pleased with my performance at the Boston Marathon, especially
since it was my first marathon. In my second marathon, I want to run even
faster," said Mosop. "I feel that the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is
where I have the best opportunity to do that. I like the course, I feel
strong in my training and I am looking forward to coming back to Chicago
for this great event."
Mosop recently set a new 30-kilometer world record at the Prefontaine
Classic track meet in Eugene, Ore., on June 3. His time of 1:26:47 was more
than two minutes faster than the previous record set in 1981 by Japan's
Toshihiko Seko, the 1986 Chicago Marathon champion. Prior to running his
debut marathon, Mosop was a 2004 Olympian in the 10,000 meters. He won the
bronze medal in the 10,000 at the 2005 World Track & Field Championships,
and a silver medal at the 2007 World Cross Country Championships.
"Moses is one of the top runners in the world and his performance at the
Boston Marathon this past April was truly amazing," said Pinkowski. "Moses
is very athletic and I feel he can go even faster on our course. His track
and cross country credentials are impressive and it is that blend of
inherent speed and strength that has traditionally produced historic
performances at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon."
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 34th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a
world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million
spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year,
the iconic race assists in raising millions for a variety of charitable
causes while generating $150 million in economic impact to its host city
according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's
Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2011 Bank of
America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago's Grant Park
beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 9. In advance of the race, a two-day
Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on
October 7-8.
www.chicagomarathon.com
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