Posted: March 23, 2007

Athletics: Susan Loken Looks to Three-Peat at More Magazine Marathon in Central Park on Sunday, March 25

World-class runners Denisova and Painter to team up in half-marathon event NEW YORK - (March 21, 2007) - Two-time defending champion Susan Loken of Phoenix, Ariz., will look to solidify her ranking as the #1 masters marathon runner in the United States when she headlines the field at the More Magazine Marathon on Sunday, March 25, in New York's Central Park, it was announced by New York Road Runners officials. The fourth annual event is the world's only marathon exclusively for women over 40. Loken, 43, set the event record of 2 hours, 45 minutes, 35 seconds in her first appearance in 2005; the time remains the fastest-ever for a marathon run by a woman entirely in Central Park. A mother of three, Loken is also the reigning U.S. masters marathon champion, a title she has won twice. "I am very excited to come back to New York and run the More Magazine Marathon," said Loken, who claimed last year's title with a time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, 1 second. "This event has given me some great memories, and I'm proud to serve as an example to women my age that we can still compete at such a high level." The event also features a half-marathon in which teams of two women, one of whom must be over 40, compete together. Leading this year's field is the team of Lyubov Denisova, 35, a Russian who lives in Gainesville, Fla., and Trina Painter, 40, of Flagstaff, Ariz. Denisova is the 2006 Honolulu Marathon champion and finished in the top three at the ING New York City Marathon in 2002 and 2004. Painter is just beginning her comeback as a competitive runner. She is the former U.S. record holder for 20K (1:07:07). "Being over 40 is now a reason for women to celebrate, and what better way than being part of the exclusive More Magazine Marathon - the only marathon in the world limited to women over 40," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners and race director of ING New York City Marathon. "It's a work-hard party for women who are strong and want to feel good about life." More than 6,000 women are expected to gather in Central Park for the race, which is sponsored by Speaking of Women's Health, St. Joseph's Aspirin, Florida Department of Citrus, California Raisins, and media partner WPLJ, and offers a $14,000 total prize purse, with $2000 going to the marathon champion. Registration remains open until 5:00pm Saturday, and the race begins at 8:00am Sunday on Central Park's East Drive at 70th Street. For more information, visit: NYRR.org. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest