Posted: April 25, 2006

Athletics: Return Champion Seeks Another Victory at Country Music Marathon™

Nashville, Tenn. (April 25, 2006) - The Country Music Marathon welcomes a familiar face this year as 2003 champion Jomo Kororia of Kenya returns for another attempt at the title on race day, Sun., April, 29. The seventh annual race features elite men's and women's fields vying for a prize purse that awards $17,500 or a 2006 Nissan automobile to the champion.

Kororia's competition includes runners familiar to the musical marathon series. Entering with the fastest time in the field is countryman Philip Tarus, course record holder and champion of the 1998 and 1999 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif. Tarus, 31, posted a 2:08:33 in his repeat victory at the second musical marathon in '99. Right behind him is another Kenyan, David Kirui, 34, who won the 2004 Los Angeles Marathon and enters with a time of 2:08:53.

A strong contingent of South Americans, who are known for their stamina on the hills, will challenge as will an up-and-coming trio of men from Ethiopia. Twenty-six year old Feyisa Tusse (Ethiopia) has a personal best of 2:14:12 and teammate Asnake Fekadu enters with a PR of 2:20:27.

The elite women's field features veteran runners who have performed well at past Country Music Marathons. Russia's Tatiana Mironova, 36, finished third last year and enters the '06 race with a best of 2:32:28. Countrywoman Elena Orlova had a strong season in '05, finishing fifth here and winning the California International Marathon. She has a PR of 2:34:16.

There are rising stars on the women's side as well, led by a pair of Ethiopians. Dire Tune, 21, is coming off a fourth place finish at the 2004 Los Angeles Marathon and teammate Dirbe Hunde, 22, won the '05 Dubai Marathon. Tune enters with a best of 2:30:48. Kenyan Anne Jelegat owns the fastest time in the women's field at 2:29:23.

Country Music Marathon course records are 2:12:55 by Kenyan Luke Kibet in the first year of the men's race, and 2:28:06 by Kirgizstan's Irina Bogacheva in the 2003 women's event. Race organizers are 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 nearly 24,000 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, thousands of 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.co or call Elite Racing at 800/311-1255.

-- Elite Roster Follows --

2006 Country Music Marathon & ˝ Marathon Elite Athletes
(as of April 21, 2006)
Men's Elite Field
BIB #, NAME, AGE          COUNTRY          BEST        FACT/COMMENT
1, Jomo Kororia, 25       KEN     2:11:07   1st '03 Country Music Marathon, 2nd '04 P.F. Chang's RnR AZ
2, Asnake Fekadu, 26      ETH     2:20:27   8th 2005 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
3, Andrey Yaroslavtsev, 32 RUS    Debut     63:14 Half Marathon Personal Best
4, Philip Tarus, 31       KEN     2:08:33   2nd '03 Milano Marathon, 1st '98 & '99 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
5, Philip Tanui, 30       KEN     2:09:56   1st 2004 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
6, Michael Kapkiai, 37    KEN      2:10:07   6th 2005 Athens Marathon
7, Fekadu Degefu, 30      ETH     2:12:24   3rd 2005 Reims Marathon
8, David Kirui, 34        KEN     2:08:53   5th 2005 Venice Marathon, 1st 2004 Los Angeles Marathon
9, Hugo Jimenez, 31       COL     2:15:24   8th 2004 Country Music Marathon, 3rd '05 Guayaquil Marathon
10, Pedro Mora, 28        VEN     Debut     4th 2006 San Blas Half,  1st 2005 Rio Cali 10k
11, Juan Cardona, 31      COL     2:14:30   1st 2005 Panama City & Guayaquil Marathons
12, Feyisa Tusse, 26      ETH     2:14:12   5th 2006 Reims Marathon

Women's Elite Field
BIB #, NAME, AGE          COUNTRY          BEST        FACT/COMMENT
F1, Dire Tune, 21         ETH     2:30:48   4th 2005 Los Angeles Marathon
F2, Dirbe Hunde, 22       ETH     2:39:08   1st '05 Dubai Marathon, 6th '06 SC Dubai Mar.
F3, Tatiana Mironova, 36  RUS     2:32:28   3rd 2005 Country Music Marathon
F4, Albina Gallyamova, 41  RUS    2:32:24   3rd 2003 Grandma's Marathon
F5, Delillah Asiago, 34    KEN     2:39:13   1st '06 & 2nd'05 Dubai Marathon
F6, Anne Jelegat, 36      KEN     2:29:23   3rd 2005 Dublin Marathon, 2nd 2005 Turin Marathon
F7, Elena Orlova, 36      RUS     2:34:16   5th 2004 Country Music Marathon, 1st '05 California Int'l
F8, Mary Akor, 29    USA   2:37:19       1st 2005 Big Sur Marathon, 4th 2005 Grandma's Marathon

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