FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympian Shalane Flanagan To Make Marathon Debut At
ING New York City Marathon 2010
Flanagan Joins Running Greats In Making Marathon Debut In New York
New York, June 16, 2010-The ING New York City Marathon will once again
showcase a highly anticipated American marathon debut: Shalane Flanagan
will join the likes of Deena Kastor (2001), Meb Keflezighi (2002), Marla
Runyan (2002), Dathan Ritzenhein (2006), and Kara Goucher (2008) when she
runs the 41st edition of the race on Sunday, November 7, 2010, New York
Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg announced today.
"It's another coming-out party on the streets of New York as Shalane adds
her name to the impressive list of American debuts here," said Wittenberg.
"This will be no mere 'toe in the water' as Shalane jumps into the deep end
with the world's best. I am 100-percent confident that Shalane will hold
her head above water and much more. Shalane's debut at the 10,000 meters
says it all. Look for a serious and significant debut effort in NYC."
Flanagan, 28, is the American record-holder at 3000, 5000, and 10,000
meters. She set the 10,000-meter mark of 30:22.22 when she took the bronze
medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, lowering her own record set
earlier in 2008. Earlier this year, she won the Houston Half-Marathon in
1:09:41 in her debut at that distance. Flanagan attended the University of
North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she won national cross country titles in
2002 and 2003, becoming the first Tar Heel to earn the top individual honor
in the sport.
"I've dreamed of running a marathon since I was a little girl, and on
November 7, 2010, I will attempt to fulfill that dream by racing the
merciless 26.2 miles in New York City," said Flanagan. "I've chosen to run
my first marathon in New York because of the support and encouragement I've
received from NYRR throughout my career. Riding the lead vehicle in 2009
showed me the gritty overall challenge, and the distinct spirit within each
of New York's neighborhoods. I can't wait to begin the training and the
journey to the streets of NYC!"
Kastor and Goucher set women's American marathon debut records in New York.
Goucher set the current record at 2:25:53 when she finished third two years
ago.
Flanagan will join the previously announced Kastor in the women's field.
Defending ING New York City Marathon champion Keflezighi and world marathon
record-holder Haile Gebrselassie have been announced for the men's field.
New York Road Runners
Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to
advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and
meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in
our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives
through participation in our races, community events, instruction and
training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw
more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR's
premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world,
attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising
nearly $25 million for charity in 2009. NYRR's running-based youth
programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of
schools and community centers, promote children's health and fitness,
character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities.
For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
The ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon
is one of the world's great road races, drawing nearly 105,000 applicants.
The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the
more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the
media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a
worldwide broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the more than
830,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central
Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit
www.ingnycmarathon.org.
###
|
