Runner's & Triathlete's Web Athletics: Elite Athletes Announced For ING Philadelphia Distance Run

2008 Olympic Silver Medalist And World Marathon Champion Highlights Elite Field

Philadelphia, PA (September 19, 2008) – An international field of elite athletes were introduced this morning will for the 31st Annual ING Philadelphia Distance Run on Sunday, September 21, 2008. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, who won an Olympic silver medal in the marathon this year in Beijing, will lead this years women’s field. The defending champion of the Philadelphia Distance Run in 2007, Claire Duncan of the USA, will be back to defend her title at this year’s race.

The men’s elite division will be lead by this year’s winner of the New York half marathon, Tadese Tola of Ethiopia. Joining Tadese in the elite men’s field will be Mike Aish of New Zealand, who won the 2008 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Arizona earlier this year and Mcdonard Ondara of Kenya, who won last year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose and came in third place at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach last month.

“We’re delighted to have such an incredible lineup of athletes at this year’s ING Philadelphia Distance Run,” said Matt Turnbull, Athlete Coordinator for Elite Racing. “Being the first race for Catherine Ndereba after her Olympic performance, which earned her the silver medal, is an honor. I’m sure the competition will be fierce – but Philadelphia is the perfect place to host such a race.”

Terefu Zwedie of Ethiopia, who won the Carlsbad 5000 (5K) and Peachtree 10K in 2008, will also make his debut appearance at the race. The winner in each division will take home $3,500.

"I am overjoyed at being back in Philadelphia to race. It's been some time since my schedule has allowed me to run the ING Philadelphia Distance Run,” said Ndereba, who trains outside of Philadelphia. “It's great that this will be my first race after the Olympic Marathon. It's my home training ground where I prepare for every marathon, so it's great to come back home for a race."

The first four-time women's winner at the Boston Marathon, Ndereba, 36, boasts an impressive running resume. Her list of global achievements includes two victories at the Chicago Marathon and runner up finishes in the London and ING New York City marathons.

The complete list of male and female athletes set to compete as of today is as follows:

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Men’s Division BIB NUMBER / ATHLETE / COUNTRY 1 Terefu Zwedie, Ethiopia 2 Mcdonard Ondara, Kenya 3 Tadese Tola, Ethiopia 4 Yirefu Birhanu, Ethiopia 5 Nephat Kinjanyui, Kenya 6 Jae Yung Hyung, Korea 7 Edward Muge, Kenya 8 Stephen Koech, Kenya 9 Mike Aish, New Zealand 10 Jared Abuya, Kenya 11 Andrew Letherby, Australia 12 Girma Tola, Ethiopia 13 Rueben Chebii, Kenya 14 John Korir, Kenya 15 Charles Munyeki,Kenya 16 Patrick Nthiwa, Kenya 17 Valentine, Orare Kenya 18 Steve Crane, USA 19 Taylor Smith, USA 20 Miguel Nuci, USA/CA 21 Edward Callinan, USA 22 Robbie Wade, USA 23 Nate Brigham, USA 24 Tom Haxton, USA 25 Christopher, Nirschel USA 26 Adam Condit, USA 27 Ross Martinson, USA 28 Bart Borghuis, USA 29 Matt Bryne, USA 30 Bryan Skelly, USA 31 Tim Fahey, USA/VA

Women’s Division BIB NUMBER / ATHLETE / COUNTRY FI Catherine Ndereba, Kenya F2 Liliya Shobukhova, Russia F3 Soon Duk Kang, Korea F4 Nriah Asiba, Kenya F5 Viktoriya Klimina, Russia F6 Irene Limika, Kenya F7 Aziza Ayilu, Ethiopia F8 Judy Kiplimo, Kenya F9 Caroline Chepkorir, Kenya F10 Yolanda Mercado, Puerto Rico F11 Meredith Lambert, USA F12 Kristen Henehan, USA F13 Lindsay Wilkins, USA F14 Veena Reddy, USA/VA F15 Abby Dean, USA F16 Katerina Janosikova, USA/NY F17 Claire Duncan, USA F18 Kelly Divine, USA F19 Ashley Griffith, USA F20 Kerry Meagher, USA F21 Sarah Spalding, USA F23 Barb Fallon-Wallace, USA F24 Tara Farley, USA F25 Erica Nemmers, USA