MEDIA KIT - Elite Athlete Bios - 2007 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

ELITE RUNNER BIOS

2007 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

Elite Men

Thomas Nyariki
Bib #: 1
Age: 35
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Nakuru, Kenya
Best 10K: 27:30
Of note: The race favorite, he won 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (27:48). His third place finish (28:05) in 2005 race marked his return to international racing scene after 2003 carjacking episode left him without sight in his right eye. Strong 2006 season also included a victory at the NYC Half Marathon (1:01.22) and 2nd at the Falmouth 7M (32:03). A former Olympian, he took 5th in 5000m at 1996 Olympics and 3rd at the 1997 World Championship at 5000m.

Meb Keflezighi
Bib#: 2
Age: 32
Citizen of: USA
Residence: San Diego
Best 10K: 27:13.98 (track)
Of note: The U.S. record holder at 10,000m, Meb is a crowd favorite who surprised the running world with a silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. His follow-up second place finish at the NYC Marathon (2:09:53, a PR) established Meb at the U.S.’s premier distance runner. His 2006 season included a 3rd at the 2006 Boston Marathon (2:09:56) and 2nd at the NYC Half Marathon (1:01:28). Looking to rebound at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon from a disappointing London Marathon earlier this year. Meb, who rarely competes in 10Ks on the roads, is expected to challenge for the title.

Duncan Kibet
Bib #: 3
Age: 29
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Ranked 5th in the world by Running Times magazine, he has established himself as one of the world’s top half marathoners. Won the 2006 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon with a blazing 1:00:22, the second fastest half ever run on American soil. Also won the 2006 Oxxo21 Half (1:01:40) in Mexico. Expected to contend for TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon title.

Evans Rutto
Bib #: 4
Age: 29
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Marakwet, Kenya
Best 10K: 27:21.32 (track)
Of note: The 2001TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon champ (28:30), he has been one of the world’s top marathoners over the past five years. Won the 2004 London Marathon (2:06:18) as well as the 2003 (2:05:50) and 2004 (2:06:16). Set a PR with a 1:00:30 half marathon in finishing 3rd at the 2001 Lisbon Half.

Evans Cheryiout
Bib #: 5
Age: 28
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Ranked 15th 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. Finished 4th at the 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (28:08) and will be looking to move up.

Richard Kiplagat
Bib#: 6
Age: 26
Citizen of:
Residence: Boulder, Colorado
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: A 10-time All-American from Iona College, he is making a successful transition into professional running. Finished 2nd at the 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships, and 2nd in the 5,000m (13:51) at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships. Won his first professional race, the 2006 CVS/Downtown 5K in Providence, R.I.

Simon Ndirangu
Bib#: 7
Age: 21
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence:
Best 10K: n/a
Of note: Won the Crazy 8’s 8K in Kingsport, Tennessee earlier this month in 22:16, believed to be the fastest 8K in the world so far in 2007. He is in shape and ready to contend for the title at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon.

William Chebon Chebor
Bib#: 8
Age: 24
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence:
Best 10K: 27:53
Of note: Looking to improve on back-to-back sixth-place finishes at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K. His 2006 season also included a 2nd at the San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (1:01:07); a blazing 27:53 in placing 3rd at the Peachtree 10K; 3rdh at Utica Boilermaker 15K and a 4th at the Bix 7M.

Ed Moran
Bib #: 10
Age: 26
Citizen of: USA
Residence: Williamsburg, Virginia
Best 10K: 27:43.13 (track)
Of note: Captured the gold medal at 5,000m with a meet record 13:25.60 at the Pan-American Games on July 23 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. That victory and an 8th (28:43) at the 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon should give the American confidence in a strong field this year. He is well on his way to earning a spot on Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Storied collegiate career at William and Mary, where he now serves as an assistant coach. Finished 7th at 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.

John Yuda
Bib #: 14
Age: 28
Citizen of: Tanzania
Residence: Arusha, Tanzania
Best 10K: 27:06.17 (track)
Of note: Finished 6th at the 2005 World Half Marathon Championship (1:02:11). Won the 2003 and 2005 Great South 10M, and 5th at the 2005 World’s Best 10K (28:17). Impressive 9th in his debut at the 2004 London Marathon (2:10:13).

Luke Kipkosgei
Bib #: 15
Age: 31
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Kenya
Best 10K: 27:12 (track)
Of note: Finished 10th at the 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon after a 5th in the 2004 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), so knows what it’s like to reach the tape first.

Charles Kiama
Bib #: 142
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). Placed 9th at 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon (28:46).

Girma Tola
Bib #: 141
Age: 30
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Best 10K: 27:13.48 (track)
Of note: Finished 11th in the 2000 Olympic 10,000m and 4th at the 1999 World Championships at 10,000m. Won the 2004 Enschede Marathon (2:10:33 PR) and 3rd at the 2005 20K de Paris (57:42 PR).


Elite Women


Susan Chepkemei
Bib #: 60
Age: 32
Citizen of: Kenya
Residence: Nairobi, Kenya/The Netherlands
Best 10K: 31:11
Of note: The 2004 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon champ (31:36), she finished a disappointing 4th last year (32:39) and has something to prove. She is one of the favorites this year in a strong field of women. A force in the road race world over the past six years, she has won and/or finished near the top in a number of major races. Her 2006 season included a win at the Bix 7M in a course-record 35:24, a 2nd at the Utica Boilermaker 12K and a 4th at the Peachtree 10K (31:56), a race she won in both 2003 and 2004. She set a PR 31:11 in winning the Tilburg 10K in 2002. Also recorded the fastest half marathon in the world in 2001 (1:05:44) in winning the Lisbon Half Marathon, a race she also won in 2002 and 2005. Her marathon finishes include a 3rd at the 2005 London Marathon and a 2nd at the 2005 NYC Marathon.

Wude Ayalew Yamir
Bib #: 61
Age: 20
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: Ethiopia
Best 10K: sub 32:00 on both track and roads
Of note: A relative unknown on the American road race circuit, she is coming off a huge win at the Peachtree 10K (31:44) earlier this month. She finished 5th at the 2006 World Cross Country Championships, and 5th in the 5,000m at the 2006 World Junior Championships.

Diribe Alemu
Bib #: 62
Age: 23
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: NR
Best 10K: 31:04 (track)
Of note: A budding star on the European track circuit, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon will be her first race on American soil. She finished 3rd at the 2006 Cross de Italica 6.6K, 2nd at the 2006 Liege 5000m (15:20.85) and 3rd at the 2006 Artur Takac 5000m. Could surprise the Beach to Beacon field.

Genet Getaneh
Bib #: 63
Age: 20
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: NR
Best 10K: 32:32 (track)
Of note: Another rising track star in Europe making her first appearance in the U.S., she burst on the scene in her native country in 2005 by winning the Great Ethiopian Run 10K with a course record 33:05. She finished 3rd in 2006 (33:14). Placed 2nd at the 2006 Sao Silvestre da Amadora 10K (33:06). Presently ranked #90 in the world by Running Times.

Elva Dryer
Bib #: 65
Age: 35
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 remains one of the U.S.’s top distance runners. Presently ranked #42 by Running Times. 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. Set a PR 2:31:48 while finishing 12th at the 2006 Chicago Marathon.

Luminita Talpos
Bib #: 68
Age: 34
Citizen of: Romania
Residence: Boulder, Colorado/Romania
Best 10K: 31:54
Of note: A familiar face at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon over the years, she is in top form right now and should contend for title. Finished 3rd in 2006 (32:26), 5th in 2005 and set a PR 31:54 in a close 2nd in the 2003 Beach to Beacon. She also placed 5th in 2001. She is a member of the Romanian National Team and one of the premier road racers on the U.S. circuit. She placed 2nd (26:04) at the Crazy 8’s 8K earlier this 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. Currently ranked #49 by Running Times.

Kayoko Obato
Bib #: 70
Age: 32
Citizen of: Japan
Residence: Chiba, Japan
Best 10K: 32:32 (track)
Of note: One of Japan’s top marathoners, she also has made Cape Elizabeth her home away from home, competing for the fourth time this year. She finished 7th (34:39) in the 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K. 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.

Nadia Ejjafini
Bib #: 71
Age: 26
Citizen of: Bahrain
Residence: NR
Best 10K: 33:19 (track)
Of note: A Bahraini long distance runner who competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, she won the half marathon at the 1999 Pan Arab Games while representing her native Morocco. She finished 4th in the 5000m at the 1998 World Junior Championships and the 2006 Asian Games. Presently ranked #46 by Running Times.

Yimenashu Taye
Bib #: 73
Age: 28
Citizen of: Ethiopia
Residence: The Bronx, NYC/Ethiopia
Best 10K: NR
Of note: Number of strong finishes so far in 2007. She won the Orange Classic 10K (33:21) in Middletown, N.Y. in June, just 24 hours after placing 11th at the competitive New York Mini 10K (33:36). Placed 3rd at Crazy 8’s 8K (26:19) and 5th at the Utica Boilermaker 12K (50:52). Career includes winning the junior race at the 1998 World Cross Country Championships and placing 2nd in the 1500m and 3000m at the World Junior Championships.

Galina Alexandrova
Bib #: 75
Age: 31
Citizen of: Russia
Residence: Cheboksary, Russia
Best 10K: 32:11.52 (track)
Of note: An accomplished Russian long distance runner, she has found some success on the American roads, including winning the 2004 Cleveland 10K, the 2004 Shamrock 8K (25:35), and placing 5th at both the 2004 (PR 32:45) and 2005 World’s Best 10K in San Juan. Finished 6th at 10,000m at the 2006 Russian Championships. Best marathon finish was a 5th at the 2003 Dublin Marathon with a PR 2:36:08.

Nataliya Berkut
Bib #: 77
Age: 32
Citizen of: Ukraine
Residence: Ukraine
Best 10K: 31:14
Of note: A 2004 Olympian, she is the Ukrainian national record holder at 10,000m (31:08.89) and 5,000m (14:59.26). Should be a contender at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Her 2006 season included a 4th at the Utica Boilermaker 15K (49:53), 5th at the New York Mini 10K (32:17) and 5th at Peachtree (32:13). She is a member of the Ukrainian National Team. Won the 2005 BAA Half Marathon (1:12:21).

Lioudmila Kortchaguina
Bib #: 103
Age: 36
Citizen of: Russia/Canada
Residence: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Best 10K: 32:07
Of note: Canada’s top marathoner, she won her third straight Canadian Marathon Championship earlier this year with a 2:31:56 at the ING Ottawa Marathon. Also strong at shorter distances. Set a PR 32:07 in winning the 2004 Sporting Life 10K, which she also won in 2006 (32:22). Set a course record (1:46:05) during a three-year championship run (2002-2004) at the Around the Bay 30K. Also won the 2004 and 2006 (PR 2:29:42) Ottawa Marathon. Other wins include the 2004 Salt Lake City Marathon, 2004 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, 2003 Dallas White Rock Marathon and the 2005 Toronto Marathon. Set a PR 1:10:50 in winning the 2003 Vancouver Half Marathon, a race she also won in 2002 and 2004.