Posted: January 4, 2005

Athletics: Champions to Defend Titles at 2005 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon

PHOENIX, Ariz. - (Dec. 30, 2004) - The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon, a race that with more than 29,000 registered participants last year set a record as the largest first-time annual running event, will again host an impressive elite invitational field anticipated to make quick work of the new flatter and faster marathon course. The second annual race hits the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe Jan. 9, 2005 and will welcome back both the men's and women's defending champions.

Last year, Kenya's Haron Toroitich took home the winner's check of $20,000 while leading a Kenyan sweep of the top three places in the elite men's competition. For the women, it was Ethiopia's Shitaye Gemechu besting former New York City Marathon champion Anuta Catuna of Romania for the women's crown.

The two winning times, 2:10:33 and 2:31:33 respectively, were slowed slightly by a persistent second-half breeze, but men's champion Toroitich predicted a fast defense of last year's performance.

"This was the first attempt (on the course)," said the 26-year-old from Baringo, Kenya. "I think in the future they will run 2:07," Toroitich said after his 2004 victory.

The future is here and both winners will see familiar terrain on the marathon course, except for the climb through Papago Park at what was mile 18. Elite Racing's elite athlete coordinator, Mike Long, is confident that the course change will make times drop. "By taking out the late-race climb, we could definitely see Toroitich's prediction come true," Long said.

Gemechu leads the women's field in defense of the Rock 'n' Roll title, but she will have strong competition in the greatly anticipated marathon debut of 25-year-old Australian Haley McGregor.

"It may be her first time in marathon competition, but Haley has been putting up impressive numbers in competitions on her climb towards the marathon distance," said Long. McGregor paced the elite women's field at the 2004 ING New York City Marathon last November.

The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon grand prize for the first place male and female finishers is $20,000. Second place will receive $10,000, with third place taking home $6,500. The prize purse pays out to the top 10 male and female finishers overall in the marathon. There is no prize money for the half-marathon. Cash incentives are also a factor for State of Arizona and local Maricopa County winners. The first place male and female from each category will receive $1,000 and $500 for the second place finishers.

Following the elites will be over 27,000 participants running and walking along the new marathon and half-marathon courses. The event retains the same start line in Wesley Bolin Park adjacent to the state capitol in downtown Phoenix. The new marathon course will feature additional miles through Scottsdale and a glimpse of the well-known art district in the downtown area. Runners will cover miles 16-18 as they head east on Indian School Road before eventually turning down Scottsdale Road, to McDowell and then south on Hayden Road for the homestretch into Arizona State University.

For more information on the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon, contact Elite Racing, Inc. at (800) 311-1255 or visit www.rnraz.com.

2005 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Elite Athletes
As of 12-22-04

MEN
NAME/AGE/COUNTRY BEST FACT/COMMENT
Haron Toroitich, 27, KEN 2:08:34 1st '04 PFC RNR AZ, 1st '04 RNR Half
Luke Kibet, 31, KEN 2:10:18 1st '04 CMM, 5th '04 PFC RNR AZ
Belay Wolasha, 34, ETH 2:10:57 6th '04 PFC RNR AZ, 1st '98 RNRM
Chad Johnson, 28, USA/MN 1:04:20 Debut, 1st '04 TC Ten Mile (CR)
Philip Tarus, 30, KEN 2:08:33 2nd '03 Milan Mara, 1st '98-99 RNR Mara
David Kirui, 27, KEN 2:08:53 1st '04 Los Angeles Marathon
Silvestor Moleko, 34, RSA 2:15:28 8th '04 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
Sergey Emelyanov, 26, RUS 1:02:14 1st '04 Russian 10, 000m Trials
Benjamin Kiptarus, 34, KEN 2:10:55 1st '04 Siracusa (ITA) Marathon
Tahir Mamashayeu, 23, BEL 2:15:20 Berlin Marathon
Charles Kwambai, KEN
Philip Rugut, 27, KEN Debut 59:53 Half PR, 4th '04 San Blas Half
Terefe Yae, ETH
Asnake Ferkadu, ETH
Pacemakers:
Joseph Kariuki, 34, KEN 2:12:56
Ronald Mogaka, 26, KEN 1:01:25

WOMEN
NAME/AGE/COUNTRY BEST FACT/COMMENT
Shitaye Gemechu, 31, ETH 2:26:15 1st PF Chang's RnR Arizona Mara
Haley McGregor, 25, AUS Debut
Zinaida Semanova, 40, RUS 2:26:51 1st Twin Cities Marathon (CR)
Christine Clifton, 32, USA/WA 2:32:45 2nd '03 USA Half-Marathon Champs
Irina Timofayeva, 34, RUS 2:25:29 3rd '02 Tokyo Ladies Marathon
Irene Jerotich, KEN 2:40:17
Mary Ptikani, KEN
Paula Morrison, 30, USA/AZ 2:44:50
Tatiana Borisova, RUS 2:30:50
Lisa Pohlit, 24, USA 3:14:40 '04 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, San Diego
Briana Boehmer, 26, USA Debut Professional duathlete/triathlete

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.