Posted: April 22, 2004

Athletics: Past Champions Return to Big Sur International Marathon

From Running USA Wire

CARMEL, Calif. - (April 21, 2004) - An outstanding elite field is scheduled to challenge the Big Sur International Marathon course on Sunday, April 25, 2004. The field for the 19th presentation includes the two-time defending champions in both the men's and women's field. In addition, three other past champions are scheduled to compete.

As 1987 fades further from memory, the second running of the Big Sur International Marathon is still the fastest ever run. Brad Hawthorne, 31 years old at the time, completed the course in 2:16:39, a record never seriously challenged in the 16 presentations since 1987.

Heading the Elite list are two-time defending champions, Jonathon Ndambuki, who has run the second and fourth fastest Big Sur Marathons in history, and JulieAnne White. For the men, Chokri Dhaouadi of Tunisia who took second last year, returns for his second Big Sur Marathon. Wilson Gaitha, originally from Kenya, who took fourth in last year's inaugural Big Sur Half Marathon, is also set to challenge Ndambuki and a new course record could be the result.

The women's field this year features several past champions. Two-time defending champion, JulieAnne White, originally from Canada, is joined by Kim Marie Goff, a four-time Big Sur champion from New Hampshire (1991, 1994-95 and 1997) and a breast cancer survivor. Although she has never won our race, Christine Kennedy, from California, posted the fourth fastest Big Sur in history in 2:46:30 when she finished second in 1993. Suzi Morris, also from California and the 1999 Big Sur winner, will also challenge White. Finally, Kari DiStefano, who finished third in 2000 and second in both 2001 and 2003, will try to move up one more spot in this year's race.

The 19th annual presentation of the Big Sur International Marathon is set for Sunday, April 25 at 7:00 A.M. All proceeds from the event will be distributed to non-profit organizations throughout Monterey County and Big Sur. Over the past 18 years, more than $1 million has been distributed to local charities. For more information, call the Big Sur International Marathon office at (831) 625-6226 or www.bsim.org.

Elite Field as of April 12, 2004

MEN
* Jonathan Ndambuki (KEN)- Two-time defending champion; holder of the second and fourth fastest times ever
* Chokri Dhaouadi (TUN) - Second last year in his first Big Sur
* Wilson Gatiha (KEN) - Fourth in last year's inaugural Big Sur Half Marathon

WOMEN
* JulieAnne White (CAN) - Two-time defending champion
* Kim Marie Goff (NH) - Four-time Big Sur champion (1991, '94-95 and '97); breast cancer survivor
* Christine Kennedy (IRL/CA) - Holder of the fourth fastest Big Sur in history when she finished 2nd in 1993
* Suzi Morris (CA) - 1999 Big Sur winner
* Kari DiStefano (CO) - Third once and second twice