Posted: August 26, 2005

Athletics: Linus Maiyo to Defend Crim 10 Mile Title

Deep international fields expected; $42,550 prize purse

On Saturday morning, August 27, The Crim Festival of Races will celebrate its 29th running on the historic bricks of downtown Flint, Mich., and like past editions, strong international 10 mile fields and 14,000 participants in the various events are expected.

Kenya's Linus Maiyo will defend his 2004 title against a strong contingent of countrymen including Reuben Chebii, Boaz Cheboiywo, Luke Kipkosgei and Wilson Komen and also Fabiano Joseph of Tanzania and Mark Carroll of Ireland.

For the women, Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco and Alevtina Ivanova of Russia are the main favorites, while marathoners Lyubov Denisova of Russia and Zivile Balciunaite of Lithuania could also contend over the challenging Crim course.

The overall Crim 10 Mile prize purse totals $42,550 with each champion taking home $5000.

2005 Crim 10 Elite Field
MEN
Andrew Smith, Canada
Mark Carroll, Ireland
Reuben Chebii, Kenya, 2nd 2005 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile (46:58)
Boaz Cheboiywo, Kenya
Reuben Cheruiyot, Kenya, 2nd 2005 Bay to Breakers 12K
Julius Kibet Koskei, Kenya
Barnabas Kipkoech, Kenya
Luke Kipkosgei, Kenya
Joseph Koech, Kenya
Wilson Komen, Kenya, 5th 2004 Crim 10 Mile
Linus Maiyo, Kenya, defending men's champion (48:06)
Sam Ndereba, Kenya
Fabiano Joseph, Tanzania, 2004 World Half-Marathon Championships runner-up
Paul Aufdemberge, USA/Michigan
Kyle Baker, USA/Michigan
Josh Eberly, USA/Michigan
Ian Forsyth, USA/Michigan
Ray Hughes, USA/Oregon
Luke Murphy, USA/Michigan
Kyle O'Brien, USA/Michigan
Todd Snyder, USA/Michigan

WOMEN
Nicole Stevenson, Canada
Teresa Wanjiku, Kenya, two-time Crim runner-up
Gladys Asiba, Kenya
Grace Momanyi, Kenya
Zivile Balciunaite, Lithuania, 2005 City of Los Angeles Marathon runner-up
Asmae Leghzaoui, Morocco, six 2005 road wins; world 8K record holder (24:28)
Nina Rillstone, New Zealand
Luminita Talpos, Romania
Denisa Costesca, Romania
Lyubov Denisova, Russia, 2005 City of Los Angeles Marathon champion
Ramilia Burangulova, Russia
Alevtina Ivanova, Russia, 2nd 2005 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & Falmouth Road Race
Tatiana Maslova, Russia
Olga Romanova, Russia
Tatiana Titova, Russia
Tatiana Pozdnyakova, Ukraine, 7-time Crim masters champion
Donna Palisca, USA/Texas
Melissa Rittenhouse, USA/Ohio
Jackie Rzepecki, USA/Michigan
Kelly Stewart, USA/Michigan

Since 1977, the Crim Festival of Races, a Running USA Founding Member, has grown to be the largest three-day running festival in Michigan, attracting the finest distance runners from around the world and winning acclaim and respect throughout the international running community. In addition to the 10 mile, other events include an 8K, 5K, 1 mile and children's Teddy Bear Trot.

Numerous U.S. and world 10 mile road records have been set at The Crim including the current U.S. women's record, 51:47, by Cathy O'Brien in 1989 (a then world record) and masters (40 and over) world record, 47:25, by Jackson Kipngo'k of Kenya in 2003.

For more information about the Crim Festival of Races, "the coolest race in Michigan", call (810) 235-3396 or visit online at: Crim.org.