Posted: September 19, 2005

Athletics: $10,000 Bonus Announced for 2005 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile Record Breakers

Race to air live on ESPNEWS for the first time in more than a decade

NEW YORK - (September 13, 2005) - New York Road Runners today announced that a $10,000 bonus will be awarded for a men's or women's course record at the 2005 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile Powered by "Four Minutes," an ESPN2 Film, on Saturday, September 24. In addition, the men's professional race will air live on ESPNEWS, returning the race to national television for the first time in more than a decade.

The Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile debuted in 1981 and is widely considered the world's most famous city mile road race. The current men's record of 3:47.52 was set in 1981 by Sydney Maree and is one of road running's longest-standing records. The women's record of 4:16.68 was set by PattiSue Plumer in 1990. Premier American miler and Olympian Alan Webb, who was announced on August 18 as an entrant in this year's race, and Craig Mottram of Australia, the bronze medalist in the 5000 meters at the 2005 IAAF World Championships, are the top contenders to break Maree's record and take home the bonus.

"With a men's field worthy of an Olympic final, it is likely that a record will be broken, and now with the race being broadcast live on ESPNEWS, a national television audience will be able to share in the excitement with the fans lining Fifth Avenue," said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Joining Webb and Mottram on the starting line will be Rui Silva of Portugal, the bronze medalist in the 1500 meters at the 2004 Olympics and the 2005 IAAF World Championships. The women's field will be headlined by 2004 U.S. Olympian Carrie Tollefson of St. Paul, Minnesota, former NCAA All American Amy Mortimer of West Roxbury, Massachusetts and two-time Olympian Amy Rudolph of Providence, Rhode Island.

The total prize purse for the race is $30,000 with the men's and women's champions each winning $5000. In addition to the professional races, which start at 1:35pm for the women and 1:45pm for the men, there will be wheelchair and age-group races for the general public beginning at 10:00am.

The Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile is presented this year by "Four Minutes", an ESPN Original Entertainment movie that tells the inspiring true story of Roger Bannister, who broke the four-minute barrier in the mile on May 6, 1954 - a feat that was previously considered insurmountable. Based on a screenplay by award-winning journalist, author and sports commentator Frank Deford, "Four Minutes" will premiere Thursday, October 6, at 7:00pm EDT on ESPN2, and stars Christopher Plummer as Coach Archie Mason and Jamie Machlachlan as Roger Bannister. For more information, visit: www.nyrr.org/mile

New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. The organization's road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually and together with its magazine and Web site, support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more information, visit: NYRR.org

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.