Posted: May 24, 2006

Athletics: Elite Field Announced For Third Annual Salt Lake City Marathon

International Field Vie to Break Course Records

Salt Lake City, Utah (May 23, 2006) – An elite international field of world-class runners will be vying to break course records at the third annual running of the Salt Lake City Marathon on June 3, 2006. These amazing athletes will compete for a prize purse in excess of $75,000, with the top male and female winners receiving $12,000 for a first place finish.

Both the men’s course record--by Araya Haregot of Ethiopia at 2:15:14-- and the women’s course record—by Poland’s Dorota Gruca at 2:30:08—were set in 2005. With the incredibly diverse 2006 elite athlete field including marathon champions from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine and the United States, this year’s event promises to be a breathtaking race to the finish.

Heading a strong men’s field destined to break course records is Philip Taurus of Kenya. Holding a personal marathon best of 2:08:33 set at the 1999 Suzuki Rock & Roll Marathon, in which he came in first. He was also the 1998 Rock & Roll Marathon champion and finished second at the Milano Marathon in 2003. His 2:08:33 best—set on a rolling course in San Diego—is top in the field and bodes well for a top performance on the Salt Lake City course. A fellow countryman also running to break the men’s course record will be Jonathan Ndambuki, who took first place at the Big Sur Marathon in 2005 and received his personal best of 2:10:58 at the 1998 Suzuki Rock & Roll Marathon.

Another Kenyan, Joseph Nguran, enters the race with an impressive personal best of 2:12:36, which he received at the 2006 Barcelona Marathon. His other marathon wins include the 2006 Mumbai Marathon and the 2004 Brescia Marathon. Abrahm Koskei and Daniel Cheruiyot round out a magnificent Kenyan contingent. Cheruiyot recently took second place in the 2006 Indianapolis Mini-Marathon with a personal best of 1:03:30.

Also vying for first place prize money is Ethiopian Abebe Yimer, a top competitor from the ‘New’ Las Vegas Marathon armed with a personal best of 2:13:53 set at the 2006 Austin Freescale Marathon. Fellow Ethiopian Zintu Sima enters the field with a first place finish under his belt in the 2004 Hartford Marathon, where he set his personal best of 2:18:43.

Similar record-setting drama promises to play out in a very strong women’s field. The international delegation is led by Worknesh Tola of Ethiopia, who holds a personal best of 2:25:52 set at the 2004 Seoul International Marathon. She’ll be running against Ilona Baranova from Ukraine, whose spectacular resume includes a second place finish at the Freescale Austin Marathon in 2006, second in the Baltimore Marathon in 2005, third in the Vienna City Marathon that same year and a 2004 Lisbon Marathon fist place finish with a personal best of 2:36:07.

Kenyan, Delillah Osiago is in the running with a personal best of 2:39:13 from the 2006 Dubai Marathon, in which she was the champion. In 1995, Osiago was the hottest road racer in the world, winning an amazing 13 straight races, including every major road race in the United States. Also competing will be American Becky Sondag, from Casper, Wyoming. Sondag finished fourth at the 2005 Salt Lake City Marathon and set a personal best of 2:50:04 at the 1999 Chicago Marathon.

A record number of participants are expected on 2006 Salt Lake City Marathon Race Day, June 3, 2006. In addition to the Marathon, new Half Marathon, 5K and Intermountain Kids Marathon, a full weekend of complimentary activities abound. Details on race weekend as well as easy and efficient race registration can be found at www.saltlakecitymarathon.com. Participants can download entry forms, course descriptions and entry details.

About Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was among 12 new favorites listed by Runner’s World in the 2005 Marathon Guide in their January article: “Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big Rewards.” January’s Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine both tout Salt Lake City as the “Best Race at Altitude.” For race information, contact Scott Kerr at (801) 412-6060.

About Devine
Devine is a brand name synonymous with excellence in endurance sports, education and training. The Chicago-based company has fast been building a national reputation for acquiring and managing world-class athletic events. The Devine portfolio currently includes the Los Angeles Marathon, the ‘New’ Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon and the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon. Established in 2003 to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to road racing events in major market cities, the President/CEO is Steve Miller, former Nike Director of Global Sports Marketing. The focus at Devine is to create community for runners and endurance athletes. Committed to the celebration on individual accomplishment, Devine believes it has the responsibility to deliver the highest level of professional service in the industry – for participants, sponsors and the communities where races are held. Information about all Devine properties, as well as access to unparalleled industry information, can be obtained at www.devinesports.co or by calling 312/640-9700.

Elite Men’s Field
Name Country D.O.B. Personal Best Accomplishments
Joseph Nguran Kenya 1974 2:12:36 set at 2006 Barcelona Marathon 2006, The Mumbai Marathon Champion 2004, Brescia Marathon Champion
Abebe Yimer Ethiopia 2:13:53 set at 2006 Austin Freescale Marathon, New Las Vegas Marathon, Clark County Champion
Zintu Sima Ethiopia 2:18:43 set at 2004 Hartford Marathon, 2004 Hartford Marathon Champion
Jonathan Ndambuki Kenya 1976 2:10:58 set at 1998 Rock & Roll Marathon 2005, Big Sur and Deseret News Marathon Champion 1998, 2nd LA Marathon 1998, 3rd Rock n Roll Marathon
Philip Taurus Kenya 1974 2:08:33 set at 1999 Rock & Roll Marathon 2003 Milano Marathon, 2nd 1998 and 1999 Suzuki Rock & Roll San Diego Marathon Champion
Abrahm Koskei Kenya
Daniel Cheruiyot Kenya 1974 Half Marathon PB 1:03:30 set at 2006 Indianapolis Mini Marathon 2006, 2nd Indianapolis Mini marathon 2005, 3rd Indianapolis Mini marathon

Elite Women’s Field
Worknesh Tola Ethiopia 1980 2:25:52 set at 2004 Seoul Marathon 2005, 5th Seoul international Marathon 2004, 2nd Seoul International Marathon 2003, 2nd Dong A Marathon, Korea
Becky Sondag USA 2:50:04 set at the 1999 Chicago Marathon 4th 2005 Salt Lake City Marathon
Ilona Baranova Ukraine 1972 2:36:07 set at 2004 Lisbon Marathon 2006, 2nd Freescale Austin Marathon 2005, 2nd Baltimore Marathon 2005, 3rd Vienna City Marathon 2004, Lisbon Marathon Champion
Delillah Osiago Kenya 2:39:13 set at 2005 Dubai Marathon 2006, Dubai Marathon Champion

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