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2006 Boston Marathon champion leads women's field
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - (Aug. 23, 2006) - It was only one small step, but for Haron Toroitich the final step of the 2004 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach was the one of thousands he took that day that earned him thousands. By nipping fellow Kenyan Joshua Chelanga at the finish line with his last stride, the 26-year-old Toroitich earned $12,000 for first place along with a $25,000 musical marathon bonus awarded to the athlete who won both the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and any of the other musically themed races staged by Elite Racing in 2004.
"I will put up a building in Kenya and call it Virginia," Toroitich said in appreciation to the race's host state after his 2004 victory.
This year, Toroitich leads the men's field in pursuit of his second Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon title, but he will be vigorously challenged by a younger countryman and an Ethiopian with a kick.
James Kwambai, 23, holds the fourth fastest half-marathon time (60:22) in this year's field. He finished second here last year to fellow Kenyan James Mwangi in a time of 61:55. His strength will add to Kenya's chance at victory, but Dejene Berhanu of Ethiopia should be a formidable opponent for the Kenyan one-two punch.
Berhanu was built for speed and his numbers prove it. The 26-year-old won the prestigious Carlsbad 5000, home to 26 world records, three consecutive years beginning in 2003. He holds the fastest half-marathon time (59:37) in the men's field and has used his finishing kick to post impressive personal bests at the 5000 and 10,000 meter distances of 12:54.15 and 27:12.22 respectively.
"If there is any competition along the final miles of the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, look for Berhanu to turn on the afterburners," said Mike Long, elite athlete coordinator for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.
Japan will send a strong men's field led by the champion of the 2006 Japan Corporate Half Marathon, 20-year-old Arata Fujiwara. Also included in this group are 26-year-old Takashi Ota, 20-year-old Yuki Tanaka and Tetsuo Nishimura, 23, who all finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in the Japan Corporate Half Marathon.
In the women's field, eyes will be focused on the Kenyan Rita Jeptoo, 25, who won the 2006 Boston Marathon this past April. Her 2:23:38 finish in Boston went down as the eighth fastest time in race history. She set her personal best time of 69:56 in a victory at the Paris Half Marathon a month prior to her tour of Boston. However, where there is an outstanding Kenyan, there is always an Ethiopian ready to challenge.
Ethiopian Elfenesh Alemu, 31, is the obvious choice for this role. Alemu relies on strength rather than speed.
"She is a runner that logs high mileage at altitude during her training in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), which will make it very hard for any competitor to produce a successful attack," said Long. "She can wear her competition down."
A strong Belarusian, Olga Kravtsova, 24, has the potential to deliver an upset to the favored Kenyan and Ethiopian. Kravtsova recently became her country's national champion in the 10,000m (33:03.09) and finished fifth at the European Championships, in the 5000m.
Famed Japanese running star and coach, Hiromi Tanaguchi, who was the gold medalist in the marathon at the 1991 World Championships, is sending two of his most talented pupils. Twin sisters Hiroko and Yoko Miyauchi, 24, lead a field of five Japanese women at the race this year.
The athletes will compete for nearly $70,000 in guaranteed prize money with $12,000 each for the champions plus world, U.S. and course record bonuses.
For more information, go to RnRHalf.com or call (800) 311-1255.
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