Posted: July 2, 2004

Athletics: Linus Maiyo to Defend Title at Crazy 8's

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - (June 29, 2004) - Last year, Kenya's Linus Maiyo made a valiant effort to dethrone Peter Githuka's long-standing 8K world record, set here in 1996 at the Indian Path Medical Center and SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K Run. Maiyo chased Githuka's record on a hot and sultry night, in a mostly solo effort, and through 3 miles looked like he would succeed in rewriting the record books. However, between miles 3 and 4 there is a hill on Wilcox Drive, appropriately renamed Peter Githuka Hill by race organizers last year. It was here that Maiyo slowed and Githuka's record stood for another year. Maiyo's winning time of 22:11 was the fastest 8K in the world last year, and 5th fastest all-time at Crazy 8's, but was 8 seconds slower than Githuka's world record (22:03). Maiyo will return to Kingsport on July 17 to run the candle-lit streets of Kingsport and once again make a serious attempt at Githuka's world record and collect the Regional Eye Center $10,008 Bonus.

"It's always good to get your defending champion back," said Crazy 8's event director Tandy Fleming. "Linus really gave the people of Kingsport a thrill last year. I really thought he was going to do it, but in the end it was just too hot. We can't wait to see him and others give it a shot this year."

Fleming says many other top athletes will announce their commitments soon, with several capable of challenging Maiyo and the world record. "We're not able to announce the names just yet as we're still working on travel arrangements, but I guarantee these are guys who can do it. Crazy 8's has a reputation as the world's fastest 8K, and we'll see some of the fastest runners in the world right here in Kingsport."

Two years ago Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui stamped another world record on the Model City streets by smashing the women's world record in 24:28, ten seconds faster than Paula Radcliffe's previous mark. Leghzaoui will not return this year, but Fleming expects another quality women's elite field.

"We're proud to be the holder of both world records," said Fleming. "Not many races can ever claim a world record, much less two records at one time."

Even though the elite runners get most of the attention in the sports pages, Crazy 8's is much more than just a bunch of fast men and women from faraway places. At 6:28pm over 700 kids will hustle around the Johnson Elementary School soccer fields in the HMG Little 8's Youth Runs. At 8:58pm nearly 500 walkers will set off in full motion in the Cardiovascular Associates 3K Heart Walk. Over 1,000 runners will blast off at 9:58 pm on Eastman Rd. in the evening's finale, the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K Run. With 2100 participants, Crazy 8's is the largest road race in Northeast Tennessee. It will once again take place during Kingsport's Fun Fest, a weeklong festival of music, fun and sports related events.

Fleming also announced that Jeff Cooper of Kingsport will be the 2004 Crazy 8's Torch Runner. Cooper appeared on the ABC hit show Extreme Makeover. Cooper will also attempt his first road race at Crazy 8's.

"I'm honored to be the torch runner," said Cooper. "My training has been going well, but this is the first race I've ever competed in. I'm not much of a speed demon."

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org or register at the Fun Fest Store in the Ft. Henry Mall. Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, YMCA, Regional Eye Center, Citadel Broadcasting, Culligan, BAE Systems, Food City, and Kingsport Rental. Fluid station/Invited Athlete Sponsors are Mather Dentist Office, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Fleming's Tune-Up, Martin Dentistry, Pro Balance and AVI. Crazy 8's is managed by the State of Franklin Track Club.

Crazy 8's Stats - Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K Run

Top All-Time Performances
MEN
1) Peter Githuka, Kenya 22:03 1996
2) Alene Emere, Ethiopia 22:04 2001
3) Enock Mitei, Kenya 22:04 2001
4) Shadrack Kosgei, Kenya 22:06 2001
5) Linus Maiyo, Kenya 22:11 2003
6) David Makori, Kenya 22:15 2001
7) David Makori, Kenya 22:19 1999
8) Sammy N'geno, Kenya 22:23 2001
9) Reuben Cheriuyot, Kenya 22:25 2000
10) Peter Githuka, Kenya 22:26 1997

WOMEN
1) Asmae Leghzaoui, Morocco 24:28 2002
2) Margaret Okayo, Kenya 25:40 1999
3) Jane Omoro, Kenya 25:41 1999
4) Catherine Ndereba, Kenya 25:42 1999
5) Irene Kwambai, Kenya 25:47 2001
6) Teresa Wanjiku, Kenya 25:48 1999
7) Laura Mykytok, Hershey, PA 25:50 1994
8) Elana Meyer, South Africa 25:52 1997
9) Derartu Tulu, Ethiopia 26:02 1999
10) Catherine Ndereba, Kenya 26:02 1998

Past Champions (1999-2003)
MEN
2003 Linus Maiyo, Kenya 22:11
2002 Patrick Nthiwa, Kenya 22:38
2001 Alene Emere, Kenya 22:04
2000 Reuben Cheriuyot, Kenya 22:25
1999 David Makori, Kenya 22:19

WOMEN
2003 Silvia Skvortsova, Russia 26:04
2002 Asmae Leghzaoui, Morocco 24:28
2001 Irene Kwambai, Kenya 25:47
2000 Naomi Wangui, Kenya 26:22
1999 Margaret Okayo, Kenya 25:40

From RunningUSA Wire.