Press Release - New York City Marathon - 10/29/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
         ING New York City Marathon to Decide World Marathon Majors 
                    Women's Series Champion for 2011-2012

         Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai Unbeatable In 2011-2012 Men's Series 

New York, NY - With Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai enjoying an insurmountable lead 
in the men's 2011-2012 World Marathon Majors Series as the result of 
victories at the 2011 Boston and ING New York City Marathons, and the 2012 
BMW Berlin Marathon, the women's title, and equal share of the $1 million 
prize purse, is up for grabs at the 2012 ING New York City Marathon.

The women's Series is down to three contenders-Kenyans Mary Keitany, Edna 
Kiplagat, and Sharon Cherop-with Kiplagat and Cherop toeing the line on 
Sunday hoping to overtake an idle Keitany.

As it stands, Keitany is perched atop the leader board with 65 points 
highlighted by back-to-back victories at the 2011 and 2012 Virgin London 
Marathons. She's followed by Kiplagat (50 points), the 2011 IAAF World 
Champion in the marathon, and Cherop (45 points), winner of the 2012 Boston 
Marathon.

In order for Kiplagat or Cherop to unseat Keitany and claim the $500,000 
prize, nothing short of victory on Sunday will do. While a second-place 
finish by Kiplagat would equal Keitany with 65 points, Keitany owns the 
tie-breaker with victories over Kiplagat at the last two London Marathons. 
If the two contenders finish off the top of the NYC podium, Keitany would 
join Mutai in being crowned champion of the 2011-2012 WMM Series.

The two 2011-2012 World Marathon Majors Series champions will be honored at 
a special check presentation ceremony at noon on Monday, November 5, 2012 
at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.

2011-2012 WMM Series Standings 
Top 5 Men
1. Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya)     75 points
2. Tsegaye Kebede (Ethiopia)  46 points
3. Wesley Korir (Kenya)       41 points
4. Abel Kirui (Kenya)         40 points
4. Moses Mosop (Kenya)        40 points
4. Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya)     40 points  

Top 5 Women
1. Mary Keitany (Kenya)       65 points
2. Edna Kiplagat (Kenya)      50 points
3. Sharon Cherop (Kenya)      45 points
3. Liliya Shobukhova (Russia) 45 points
5. Priscah Jeptoo (Kenya)     40 points 

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