Posted: September 16, 2004

Athletics: Elite field shaping up for Pennsylvania Avenue Mile

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 16, 2004) – Course-record holder John Itati of Kenya headlines the early list of athletes set to compete in the 10th annual Pennsylvania Avenue Mile on Sept. 25. Sponsored by START (SummerTime and Reading Together), the Mile and accompanying races – including a 5K and 10K – benefit the youth literacy program.

Calling this his “favorite race,” the 30-year-old Itati, a top road racer, will be trying for his fourth-consecutive win here. He also counts the 2001 Falmouth Mile and 2003 Fifth Avenue Mile, as well as the Pittsburgh Great Race 10K (2002) and Azalea Trail Run 10K (Mobile, Ala., 2002 and 2004) among his career victories.

Also in the international field of elite athletes so far are Vyacheslav Shabunin, whose personal best of 3:49.83 is the Russian national record; Shadrack Kosgei of Kenya, the 2003 Penn Relays mile winner; and hometown favorite Sean O’Brien of the United States, a four-time All-American out of American University. Highlighting the early women’s field are Larisa Michailova of Russia; Malindi Elmore of Canada, a 2004 Olympian at 1500m; and American Jenelle Deatherage; who finished a close fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

More athletes are expected to be announced as race day nears.

The elite Pennsylvania Avenue Mile is part of the “Booking for Literacy” morning of events that begins at 8:30 a.m. near 11th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW with citizen and youth races, a dog trot and an international-team challenge, followed by races of 5K and 10K and a 10K Walk for Literacy. Registration is available at www.STARTdc.org or in person at the Gotta Run Running Store on Pentagon Row in Arlington, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.