Posted: April 14, 2005

Athletics: Kibet Set for Repeat Victory at Country Music Marathon

Nashville, Tenn. (April 13, 2005) - Celebrating its sixth year in Nashville, the Country Music Marathon's elite invitational field will feature a long-awaited rematch on the men's side and strong contingent of Europe's fastest athletes on the women's side, all vying for a brand new 2005 Nissan Xterra on race day, April 30, 2005.

This year, four-time Country Music Marathon veteran, 30-year-old Luke Kibet of Kenya leads the elite men's field with the opportunity to repeat his winning performance from 2004 (2:14:11). However, fellow countryman and second place finisher Nephat Kinyanjui, 27, returns hoping to reverse 2004's results.

By mile 18 last year, the race had been reduced to four Kenyans with Kinyanjui controlling the pace. A 5:09 20th mile had opened a six second lead for Kinyanjui over Kibet. It was the final ascent on the course, through Shelby Park at approximately 23 miles, where Kibet pulled away and ran unchallenged to the finish. Kibet, who also won the race in its inaugural year in 2000, finished third in'03 and was second in '01.

Also highlighting the field will be Takayuki Inubushi, 32, of Japan who finished 7th at the 2001 London Marathon and Asnake Ferkadu, 26, of Kenya who is looking to better his 8th place finish at the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in January '05. Charles Kwambai, 24, of Kenya will make his marathon debut.

There will be no shortage of fierce competition on the women's side. Over the past four years, eastern European women have dominated Nashville's finish line. For 2005, Aurica Buia, 35, of Romania leads the women's field with experience. Although she does not hold the fastest marathon time among the women, Buia was victorious in 2001 and '02 (2:34:40 and 2:35:58); her course knowledge should play to her advantage.

With the fastest times on course, 2:29:20 and 2:28:10, Russia's Irina Safarova, 35, and Lyudmyla Pushkina, 39, of Ukraine should push the women's field. Natalia Volgina, 28, and Tatiana Mironova, 36, both from Russia round out the European contingent. The lone Ethiopian, Yihunilish Bekele, 24, will make her country's bid for victory at the Country Music Marathon.

All runners' eyes will be on the prize purse valued at more than $80,000 including cash and a new 4x4 vehicle. Both the men's and women's winner will receive $17,500 or a new 2005 Nissan Xterra. The Country Music Marathon is also offering a $10,000 bonus to the first male finishing under 2:11:00 and an additional $10,000 for breaking 2:10:00. The same applies to the first female finishing under 2:29:00 with the additional bonus awarded if 2:28:00 is broken.

Following the elites will be over 17,000 participants running and walking along the scenic marathon and half marathon courses lined with more than 50 live bands, 25 spirited high school cheerleading squads, 5,000 volunteers and thousands of encouraging spectators. The courses start in Centennial Park on West End Avenue, runs through Music Row, Belmont University and Bicentennial mall. Participants will pass the State Capitol Building and Shelby Park before finishing outside the Tennessee Titan's home, The Coliseum.

For more information on the Country Music Marathon & = Marathon visit www.CMMarathon.com or call Elite Racing at 858/450-6510.

Elite Roster Follows:

2005 Country Music Marathon & = Marathon Elite Athletes (as of April 13, 2005)

Men
Name Age Country PR Highlight
Luke Kibet 30 KEN 2:10:18 1st '04 & '00 CMM, 2nd '01 CMM, 3rd '03 CMM
Takayuki Inubushi 32 JPN 2:06:57 7th '01 London Marathon
Asnake Fekadu 26 ETH 2:20:27 8th '05 P.F. Chang’s RNR Arizona Marathon
Nephat Kinyanjui 27 KEN 2:14:35 2nd '04 CMM, 2nd '04 Dallas White Rock Mar
Charles Kwambai 24 KEN Debut N/A
Mihail Iveruk 29 RUS 2:13:25 3rd '04 Cal International
Tola Gemeda 25 ETH 2:22:28 5th '04 Addis Ababa Marathon
Joseph Nguran N/A KEN 2:13:10 1st '04 Reims Marathon
Linus Ngetich N/A KEN 2:12:45 N/A
Sthephen Muturi 29 KEN 2:19:43 7th '05 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
Mihail Romanov RUS 2:15:19 8th '04 Brussels Marathon
Yuriy Hychun 28 UKR 2:14:23 3rd '04 Lisbon Marathon

Women
Aurica Buia 35 ROM 2:31:39 1st '01 & '02 Country Music Marathon
Irina Safarova 35 RUS 2:29:20 2nd '02 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
Lyudmyla Pushkina 39 UKR 2:28:10 1st '04 Cal International Marathon
Yihunilish Bekele 24 ETH 2:35:57 8th '04 Paris Marathon
Natalia Volgina 28 RUS 2:34:12 4th '04 Taipei Marathon
Tatiana Mironova 36 RUS 2:36:18 1st '02 Taiwan Marathon