Posted: April 27, 2006

Athletics: World Marathon Majors Update

Limo, Kastor - Flora London Champions - Tied for Top WMM Spots with Boston Champions

LONDON, England - (April 23, 2006) - The second event in the inaugural World Marathon Majors (WMM) series took place in the English capital on Sunday with the running of the 26th Flora London Marathon and Felix Limo of Kenya and Deena Kastor of the United States earned the laurel wreaths, $105,000 and 25 WMM first place points.

Kastor proved dominant in the cool, drizzly conditions and enjoyed a run to the finish in splendid isolation. The 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist powered away from Susan Chepkemei soon after the 25K mark and, thereafter, was never threatened en route to her 2:19:36 victory and U.S. record.

Limo was not assured of the victory until a scant 20 meters from the finish line adjacent to Buckingham Palace. At 38K, Martin Lel, the defending champion, hit the front with a move that reduced the lead pack from seven to two: Lel and Limo. Over the final four kilometers, the pair engaged in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle that was not resolved until the latter's kick decided it with the finish line in sight. Limo's winning time was 2:06:39, two seconds up on Lel, and represented his third win in one of the "big five" marathons (also Berlin and Chicago).

With two events in the World Marathon Majors Series completed, the overall grand prix standings are as follows:

MEN
1) Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (KEN), 25 points
1) Felix Limo (KEN), 25 points
2) Benjamin Maiyo (KEN), 15
2) Martin Lel (KEN), 15
3) Meb Keflezighi (USA / CA), 10
3) Hendrick Ramaala (RSA), 10
4) Brian Sell (USA / MI), 5
4) Khalid Khannouchi (USA / NY), 5
5) Alan Culpepper (USA / CO), 1
5) Stefano Baldini (ITA), 1

WOMEN
1) Rita Jeptoo (KEN), 25 points
1) Deena Kastor (USA / CA), 25 points
2) Jelena Prokopchuka (LAT), 15
2) Lyudmila Petrova (RUS), 15
3) Reiko Tosa (JPN), 10
3) Susan Chepkemei (KEN), 10
4) Bruna Genovese (ITA), 5
4) Berhane Adere (ETH), 5
5) Kiyoko Shimahara (JPN), 1
5) Galina Bogomolova (RUS), 1

Announced in January 2006 and kicked-off by the 110th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 17, the World Marathon Majors is a unique alliance between the world's five leading marathons - Boston, Flora London, real,-Berlin, LaSalle Bank Chicago and ING New York City - with a $1,000,000 prize split between the overall male and female grand prix winners.

Competitors in the World Marathon Majors series accumulate points in each of the five marathons in which they participate over a two year period. They may contest as many races as they wish, but only their four best count towards the standings. Although the series functions on a two year rotation, the cycles overlap. Hence, the World Marathon Majors cycles proceed as follows: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, etc. The prize money for the first cycle will be award at the end of 2007, with $1,000,000 divided equally between the first placed man and woman. Thereafter, prize money will be awarded annually. Note: in the years in which they occur, the World Championships and Olympic Games marathons are also part of the series.

With two races now completed, the next WMM stop is real,-Berlin on Sunday, September 24. Significantly, Berlin will be the first race in the World Marathon Majors series providing runners from Boston and London the opportunity to accumulate further points. It was in Berlin in 2003 that Paul Tergat set the current world record of 2:04:55.

Following real,-Berlin, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 22. The ING New York City Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, November 5, closes out the WWM year.

Standings, breaking news and further information about the World Marathon Majors can be found at: WorldMarathonMajors.com.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.

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