Posted: September 13, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Philadelphia Distance Run Celebrates 30th Edition On Sunday

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com Hugging the banks of the Schuykill River for most of its 21.1 kilometers, the Philadelphia Distance Run has for 30 years been consistently the fastest half-marathon in the United States. According to the Association of Road Racing Statisticians, the Distance Run has three times been the scene of the men's half-marathon world record, and twice the venue for the women's. The first occasion was in 1982 when Kenyan Michael Musyoki ran 1:01:36. Three years later, American Marc Curp ran 1:00:55 which was until just last January the North American half-marathon record (broke by Ryan Hall). In 1990 Mexican Dionicio Ceron lowered the mark to 1:00:46. On the women's side, Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic Marathon gold medalist, set third half-marathon world record in Philadelphia with a 1:09:10 clocking in 1983. She followed up the next year with an even better mark of 1:08:34. But it's the sheer volume of fast times in Philadelphia which has given this race its well-earned reputation for speed. In the 29 previous editions men have broken 61 minutes five times and 61:30 20 times. On the women's side, 69 minutes has been broken three times and 70 minutes ten times. The list of previous winners include some of the sport's best-ever athletes: Deena Kastor (2005), Catherine Ndereba (1996, '98, '99, 2000, '01 and '02), Benoit Samuelson (1983, '84, and '85), Khalid Khannouchi (1997, '99, and 2000), Steve Jones (1988), and Rod Dixon (1980, '81) to name a few. That great tradition of speed will continue on Sunday, helped by a robust prize money purse and world, American and event record bonuses. Kenyans make up the bulk of the men's field, led by Festus Langat (1:01:01 PB), Julius Kibet (1:01:17), Charles Munyeki (1:01:34), Reuben Chebii (1:00:59), Tom Nyariki (1:01:22), McDonald Ondara (1:01:21), and Samuel Ndereba (1:01:50). The lone Tanzanian in the field, John Yuda, has the fastest time: 1:00:02. Last year's champion, Wilson Kiprotich, is not expected to compete. On the women's side, last year's runner-up Edna Kiplagat, also of Kenya, will be on the starting line trying to improve on her 1:10:12 personal best. She'll be challenged by compatriots Pamela Chepchumba (1:08:57 PB), Sharon Cherop (1:11:00), Angelina Mutuku (1:13:59), Alice Timbilil (1:12:39), and Caroline Chepkorir. The biggest challenge to the Kenyans' dominance willl come from a group of strong Japanese: Akemi Ozaki (1:10:31), Takami Ominami (1:10:21) and her twin sister Hiromi (1:08:45). The race winners will receive $8,000 (equal for men and women), and there are bonuses of $10,000 (world records), $5,000 (American records) and $5,000 (course records) on offer. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest