Posted: August 29, 2005

Athletics: Werknesh Kidane to Make Half Marathon Debut at Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Sept. 4

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Aug. 29, 2005) - The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon presented by SunTrust has announced a late addition to its elite women's field. Werknesh Kidane will make her half marathon debut in Virginia Beach on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005. The 23-year-old Ethiopian is stepping up in distance after proving herself as a cross-country powerhouse with eight IAAF World Cross Country Championship medals to her name.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Kidane proved her prowess on the track finishing fourth in the 10,000 meters in a time of 30:28.30. It is the combination of talents on the track and in cross-country that makes Elite Racing's athlete coordinator, Mike Long, believe Kidane will be the next great Ethiopian marathoner.

"She has the credentials on and off the track, and she could very likely leave Virginia Beach having run the fastest time ever on American soil," Long said.

This year the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon welcomes more than 20,000 runners and walkers on Sept. 4. To learn more about the half marathon and the prize purse, visit www.rnrhalf.com or call 800/311-1255.