MEDIA KIT - Elite Athlete Bios - 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

ELITE RUNNER BIOS

2006 Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

Elite Men

Gilbert Okari
Bib #: 1
Age: 28
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: West Chester, Pa.
Best 10K: 27:28 (2003 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon)
Of note: Seeking fourth straight TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon title. Currently ranked 3rd in the world by Running Times. Holds TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon course record with 27:28 in 2003, the fast 10K time in the world for that year. Has won five major road races in 2006, including Cherry Blossom 10M, Crescent City Classic 10K, Vancouver Sun Run 10K, Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K and Bay to Breakers 12K. Also finished at 4th at Peachtree 10K and 3rd at Bix 7M. Won six major road races during 2005 season – Falmouth 7M, Utica 15K, Bay to Breakers 12K, Bix 7M, Peachtree 10K and the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, where he has run three straight sub-28:00s – a virtually unheard of feat.

Lawrence Kiprotich
Bib#:
Age: 21
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: 28:52
Of note: Up-and-comer who surprised road race community with upset of defending champ Okari last weekend (July 29) to win Bix 7M (32:13) in first race on American soil. Career includes winning the 2004 Sao Paulo (Brazil) 10K (28:52) and the 2004 Marseilles-Cassis (France) 20K (1:02:14). Also took 3rd at 2005 Stramilano Half with a PR 1:00:30 and 2nd at the 2004 Pavia (Italy) Half.

Evans Cheryiout
Bib #:
Age: 27
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Ranked 8th in the world by Running Times. One of the top half marathoners in the world, he is on the short list of runners who have ever run under 60 minutes in the grueling event. Second place finish at Bix 7M last weekend (July 29), one spot ahead of Okari, makes him a strong contender at TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. So far in 2006, he has won the Coban (Guatemala) Half and placed 3rd at the Berlin Half.

William Chebon Chebor
Bib#:
Age: 23
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence:
Best 10K: 27:53
Of note: Top four finishes in each of the major road races in July – including a blazing 27:53 in placing 3rd at the Peachtree 10K (one place ahead of Okari) – means he cannot be overlooked. Also placed 4th at Utica Boilermaker 15K and the Bix 7M. Finished 6th at 2005 Beach to Beacon (28:25), so is familiar with course.

John Korir
Bib #:
Age: 30
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: 27:47
Of note: One of the most consistently dominant road racers over the years, his win in Bellin Run 10K in June in Green Bay put him back on track for strong showing at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Finished 6th at Bix 7M last weekend. Currently ranked 38th in the world, he is trying to regain the form that helped him win 30 major road races since 1998. Took 4th (28:20) at 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Missed the 2004 race due to injury but finished 2nd behind Okari in 2003, the same year that he was named the world’s top road racer.

James Koskei
Bib #:
Age: 37
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Eldoret, Kenya
Best 10K: 27:35 (track)
Of note: A familiar face, he is a last man not named Okari to win the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, winning the 2002 title (28:11). Also finished 3rd in 2003 (28:08), 2nd in 2001 and 5th (28:23) at the 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. His 2004 season included 2nd place finishes at a pair of top 12K’s – Bloomsday (35:31) and Bay to Breakers (35:01).

Thomas Nyariki
Bib #:
Age: 33
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Nakuru, Kenya
Best 10K: 27:30
Of note: 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon marked his return to international racing scene for first time since 2003 after carjacking episode left him without sight in his right eye. Remarkably, he finished 3rd with a 28:05. A former Olympian, took 5th in 5000m at 1996 Olympics. Owns three victories in major 10K road races, including 2003 Cooper River Bridge 10K (27:41). Finished 6th in 2002 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (28:27). Took third in the 1997 World Championships at 5000m, and also won the 1998 African Championship at 3000m.

Luke Kipkosgei
Bib #:
Age: 30
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: 27:12 (track)
Of note: Returning to TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon after one-year absence. A track blazer, he is gaining success on the roads. Took 5th in 2004 Beach to Beacon race (28:11). Won the 2005 Azalea Trail 10K (28:37), the 2004 Cooper River Bridge 10K (28:13) and the 2004 Steamboat 4M (17:36).

Charles Kiama
Bib #:
Age: 36
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K:
Of note: An accomplished half marathoner, he won the 2005 Nairobi Half Marathon, setting a course record 1:01:34, and finished 4th at the 2005 Lagos Half Marathon (1:05:20).

Michael Aish
Bib #:
Age: 30
Citizen of: New Zealand
Residence: Gunnison, Colorado
Best 10K: 27:53 (track)
Of note: A two-time Olympian for New Zealand, finished 17th in the 5000m at the 2004 Athens Games. Finished 10th at the 2004 Celestial Seasonings Bolder Boulder 10K and fourth at the 2004 Mt. SAC 5000m. Has won an NCAA championship at both 5000m and 10,000m. Finished 9th at 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K (29:11). Set PR in 10,000M at 2004 Cardinal Invitational with a 27:53.

Ketema Negussie
Bib #:
Age: n/a
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: n/a
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: n/a

Ed Moran
Bib #:
Age: 25
Citizen of: USA
Residence: Williamsburg, Virginia
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Finished 7th with a PR in the 5,000m (13:25.87) at the 2005 U.S. Championships. Also took 7th in 5,000m at the NCAA championships, following a 5th place finish in same event in 2003 NCAAs. Won the 2005 IC4A championship at 5,000m.

Justin Young
Bib #:
Age: n/a
Citizen of: USA
Residence:
Best 10K:
Of note: n/a

Simon Sawe
Bib#:
Age:
Citizen of: USA
Residence:
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: n/a

Masters

Men
# Mark Coogan, 40, Exeter, New Hampshire. A former Olympian and top American marathoner, he finished 3rd and 2nd, respectively, at the 2000 and 1996 U.S. Olympic trials. Member of the 1995 World Championship team and named eight times to World X-C team. Has a 3:58 PR in the mile run.

# Michael Payson, 43, Falmouth, Maine. Won the 2004 Master’s category (31:53) at TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. May also be in the mix for the Maine title.

# Bob Winn, 46, Ogunquit, Maine. Winner of the first two Maine titles at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, held course record (30:52) for a number of years. Strong 2005 season puts him into contention for another title.

Women
# Gwen Coogan, 40, Exeter, New Hampshire. A two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, she finished 4th at 1996 trials. Won the 1998 Houston Marathon, the 1995 Twin city Marathon (PR of 2:32:58), and the 1999 Parkersburg Half. She and her husband, Mark, also entered in the race, participate in clinics and talks throughout the country.


Elite Women

Susan Chepkemei
Bib #: 1
Age: 31
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: 31:11
Of note: One of the hottest women runners on the road race circuit right now, she is ranked 9th in the world by Running Times magazine. She won the 2004 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (31:36) but could not defend in 2005 due to visa problems. Is the favorite this year. Coming off an impressive win at Bix 7M in Iowa over the weekend. Recent finishes also include a 2nd at the Utica Boilermaker 12K and 4th at Peachtree 10K (31:56). She won both those races in both 2003 and 2004. She also won Bix 7M in 2004. A top marathoner as well, her career includes a number of top finishes in major events, including a 3rd at the 2005 London Marathon, and a 2nd at the 2005 NYC Marathon.

Alevtina Ivanova
Bib #:
Age: 31
Citizen of: Russia
Residence: Germantown, Maryland
Best 10K: 31:56
Of note: Finished 2nd at 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (31:56), following a 3rd in the 2004 race with an identical time. Has been training in Russia and is expected to arrive with fresh legs and a strong desire. She is a two-time defending champ of the Falmouth Road Race 7M and also finished 2nd there in 2003. Her 2005 season also included a 1st at the Crim 10M, 2nd at the Cherry Blossom 10M and Parkersburg Half, 3rd at the Honolulu Marathon and 5th at the Crescent City 10K.

Kayoko Obato
Bib #:
Age: 32
Citizen of: Japan
Residence: Chiba, Japan
Best 10K: 32:32 (tracak)
Of note: One of Japan’s top marathoners, she is running her third TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Finished 4th in the Miyazaki Half with a PR 1:10:20. Also in 2003, she took 2nd in America’s Finest City Half, 3rd in the Philadelphia Half and 5th at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half. Her career also includes four top 10 finishes in the Chicago Marathon and an 8th at the 1999 World Marathon Championships in Seville. Currently ranked 46th in the world by Running Times.

Luminita Talpos
Bib #:
Age: 33
Citizen of: Romania
Residence: Boulder, Colorado
Best 10K: 31:54
Of note: Looking to regain form from a close 2nd in the 2003 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon with a PR 31:54, after a 5th in the 2005 race. Also placed 5th in 2001, so is experienced on the course. She is a member of the Romanian National Team and one of the premier road racers on the U.S. circuit. Finished 4th at Bix 7M in Iowa over the weekend, and 8th in the competitive Peachtree 10K earlier in the month. Recorded career-best 2:27:32 with 6th at Osaka Ladies Marathon in 2003. Career includes wins at Bay to Breakers 12K, Cherry Blossom 10M and the Vytra Women’s 5K.

Lidia Simon
Bib #:
Age: 32
Citizen of: Romania
Residence: Boulder, Colorado
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Anxious to compete in 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon after ankle injury days before race forced her to pull out of 2004 race. Third-place finish at Bix 7M over the weekend means she is among the favorites. A two-time Olympic marathoner, she finished 2nd at the 2000 Olympics and 6th in 1996. Won the 2001 World Championships in the marathon and 3rd in the 1999 World Championship. Won the Osaka Ladies Marathon for three straight years, 1998-2000, including a PR 2:22:54 in 2000. Finished 1st at the 1999 Sapporo Half Marathon with a PR 1:08:51.

Elva Dryer
Bib #:
Age: 34
Citizen of: USA
Residence: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Best 10K: 31:22 (track)
Of note: A former Olympian who finished 19th at 10,000m in 2004 Athens Games, she is making first appearance at TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Took 2nd at 2004 Olympic Trials to qualify. Set her PR at 10,000m in finishing 3rd at the 2005 Cardinal Invitational. Won the 2005 Bolder Boulder 10K (32:51), the 2005 and 2004 Bellin 10K, the 2003 Tufts 10K and the Senior Bowl 10K in 1998, 2000-2003. Finished 3rd at Falmouth in 2004.

Kathy Newberry
Bib #:
Age: 27
Citizen of: USA
Residence: Williamsburg, Virginia
Best 10K: 32:46 (track)
Of note: Former William and Mary track standout, she qualified in two events – 5,000m & 10,000m - for the 2004 Olympic trials. Finished 2nd at 2004 Stanford qualifier with PR 5,000m 15:45.32. Her 10K road results include a 5th at the 2003 Senior Bowl, 7th at the 2004 New York Mini 10K. Also took 5th at the 2005 Crazy 8’s 8K.

Tatyana Chulakh
Bib #:
Age: 24
Citizen of: Russia
Residence: Germantown, Maryland
Best 10K: 32:36
Of note: Rising star on the road race circuit, she is coming off a breakout 2005 season that included wins at America’s Finest City Half (PR 1:13:35), Parkersburg Half, and the Park Forest 10M. Also finished 2nd at the Monument Avenue 10K, 4th at the Sallie Mae 10K and the Shamrock 8K. In 2004, she won the Long Island Women’s 5K and the Clarksburg 10K, and finished 7th at Falmouth and 10th at Peachtree.

Regina Wangui
Bib #:
Age: n/a
Citizen: Kenya
Residence: n/a
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: n/a

Edna Kiplagat
Bib#:
Age: 26
Citizen: Kenya
Residence: n/a
Best 10K: 32:02
Of note: Finished 13th at World Cross Country Championships Long Course. Took 4th at both the Carlsbad 5000 and the Crescent City Classic 10k (32:02).

Katsuko Kanno
Bib #:
Age:
Citizen: Japan
Residence:
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Competed in 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon.