Posted: November 26, 2005

Athletics: Elite Field Set for New Las Vegas Marathon on December 4

Over $300,000 in prize money, $50,000 "Challenge" bonus, 30 running Elvis and more!

An exciting and unique race is anticipated at the inaugural New Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday morning, December 4. With over $300,000 in prize money, time and record bonuses and a $50,000 "Challenge" bonus, a top international field plus 30 running Elvi and more are lined-up for the first marathon to be contested on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

In an innovation created by the City of Los Angeles Marathon in 2004, the New Las Vegas Marathon will offer a $50,000 bonus to the winner of "The Challenge," which allows the Elite Women to start the race ahead of the Elite Men in a unique time handicap format. "The Challenge" rewards the first person, man or woman, to cross the finish line and promises to deliver a dramatic race as the athletes compete for the $50,000 bonus and a $50,000 first place purse.

The New Las Vegas Marathon, a Devine Racing event www.devineracing.com, will begin at 6:00am in front of Race Headquarters Mandalay Bay with a spectacular display of fireworks and Elvis singing "Viva Las Vegas." The race will take place on a fast, flat course with an average temperature of 50 degrees at the start. The race will be broadcast live on CBS affiliate KLAS - First in Las Vegas. Visit the race website at: LVMarathon.com.

The New Las Vegas Marathon Elite Field - As of November 22, 2005

MEN
Name / Country / Marathon PR
Berhanu Adane, Ethiopia, Debut
Mohammed Awol, Ethiopia, Debut
Laban Chege, Kenya, 2:15:46, Coca-Cola Zero Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2005
Rik Ceulemans, Belgium, 2:13:41, Belgium Marathon 2003
Obed Gisemba, Kenya, 2:15:07, Mombassa Marathon Challenge 2005
Chris Graff, USA/VA, 2:18:44, USA Marathon Championship (Birmingham) 2003
Araya Haregot, Ethiopia, 2:15:02, Salt Lake City Marathon 2005
Tekeste Kebede, Ethiopia, 2:11:48, Coca-Cola Zero Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2005
Stephen Kiogora, Kenya, 2:09:21, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2004
Jonathan Kiptoo, Kenya, Debut
Gilbert Koech, Kenya, 2:13:44, Las Vegas Marathon 2005
James Koskei, Kenya, 2:18:40, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2004
Assefa Mezgebu, Ethiopia, Debut
Titus Munji, Kenya, 2:06:15, real,-Berlin Marathon 2003
Julius Ondiere, Kenya, 2:13:08, Italy Marathon of Tricolour Bicentennial 1999
Yusuf Songoka, Kenya, 2:11:42, Fortis Rotterdam Marathon 2005
Franklin Tenorio, Ecuador, 2:10:22, Rome Marathon 1998
Girma Tola, Ethiopia, 2:10:33, Enschede Marathon 2004
Haron Toroitich, Kenya, 2:08:34, Paris Marathon 2003

WOMEN
Name / Country / Marathon PR
Galina Bogomolova, Russia, Debut
Josephine Deemay, Tanzania, Debut
Adriana Fernandez, Mexico, 2:24:06, Flora London Marathon 1999
Donna Foster, New Zealand, 2:47:00
Dorota Gruca, Poland, 2:27:46, World Championships (Helsinki) 2005
Merima Hashim, Ethiopia, Debut
Albina Ivanova, Russia, 2:25:35, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2003
Halina Karnatsevich, Belarus, 2:27:14, World Championships (Helsinki) 2005
Edna Kiplagat, Kenya, Debut
Sylvia Mosqueda, USA/CA, 2:33:10, New York City Marathon 2003
Margaret Okayo, Kenya, 2:20:43, BAA Boston Marathon 2002
Nuta Olaru, Romania, 2:24:33, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2004
Irina Safarova, Russia, 2:29:20, Flora London Marathon 2002
Irina Timofeyeva, Russia, 2:25:29, Tokyo Women's Marathon 2001

Contact: Laurence Cohen, TLC Mediaworks, (310) 474-5116; go2l@pipeline.com.

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
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