FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reigning NYC Half-Marathon Champion Mara Yamauchi
Ready to Run New York City Again
British compatriots Hallissey, Dixon prepare for first ING New York City
Marathon
New York, August 10, 2010 - Seven months after her come-from-behind triumph
at the 2010 NYC Half-Marathon, Mara Yamauchi will seek a New York winning
double by adding the ING New York City Marathon 2010 crown on Sunday
November 7. No athlete has won both the NYC Half-Marathon and ING New York
City Marathon in the same year.
"I am looking forward very much to my debut run in the ING New York City
Marathon. After winning the NYC Half-Marathon in March, I can't wait to
return to New York and race against the best marathon runners in the
world," said Yamauchi, who caught Deena Kastor of the United States in the
closing miles to win the NYC Half on March 21 in a time of 1 hour, 9
minutes, 25 seconds. "New York is an iconic race and one of the best
in the world. I will give it everything, and I hope to join the illustrious
list of winners of this amazing race."
Yamauchi joins the already announced American pair of Olympic
medalists-Shalane Flanagan, who is making her marathon debut, and the
former London and Chicago Marathon champion Kastor-in the women's field.
Yamauchi, 36, of Great Britain, finished sixth at the 2008 Beijing Olympic
marathon in 2:27:29, equaling the best performance by a British woman in
the event. Last year she was second at the London Marathon in a personal
best of 2:23:12, a time that makes her the second-fastest British woman in
history behind world marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe.
"Mara joins our field well poised to achieve an historic double and to
continue the tradition of strong British performances in New York," said
Wittenberg. "The time seems right for Mara to shine here."
Joining Yamauchi in the field will be compatriots Claire Hallissey and
Alyson Dixon. Hallissey, 27, of Bristol, England, is making her marathon
debut. She was a member of the 2009 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships
team, and was the top British finisher in 1:12:14.
Dixon, 31, of Sunderland, England, ran her marathon personal best at the
2010 Virgin London Marathon in 2:43:48, finishing 27th. Dixon is coached by
Liz McColgan, the 1991 New York City Marathon champion.
###
|
