FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympic Marathons 2012 - World Marathon Majors Preview
THE OLYMPIC ROAD TO $1 MILLION
August 5th welcomes the Women's Olympic Marathon to the 2012 London Olympic
Games, and one week later on Sunday, August 12th the Men's Olympic Marathon
will take place. With key points to be earned in the World Marathon Majors
Series for 2011-2012, (see points scoring system details at
http://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/US/series/article/23) and the Women's
Leader Board for the 2011-2012 WMM Series
http://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/US/series/leaderboard/women/2011-2012
and the Men's Leader Board for the 2011-2012 WMM Series
http://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/US/series/leaderboard/men/2011-2012
In November the top Woman and top Man Marathoners in the WMM Series will
each earn $500,000 based on their points' total.
THE OLYMPIC COURSE
The Olympic Marathon Course was designed by David Bedford (former 10,000m
world record holder, and former London Marathon race director) and consists
of a 2.2 Mile loop, followed by three 8 Mile loops. The start and finish
are in The Mall with the spectacular and iconic backdrop of Buckingham
Palace, Out on the course loops, the race passes just about every major
London landmark, and is a travelogue of the city. There are many twists
and turns, with uphills and downhills, so that course knowledge is
essential for this technical but fast course. Local experts believe the
Olympic Marathon Records could be challenged on this course.
WOMEN'S RACE
WHO TO LOOK FOR - Surely a race to whet the appetite of the true marathon
fan! Mary Keitany (Kenya), winner of the Virgin London Marathon in 2011
and 2012, versus Liliya Shobukhova (Russia) World Marathon Majors Champion
in the 2009-2010 WMM Series and the 2010-2011 WMM Series, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon Champion in 2010 and 2011, and the Virgin London
Marathon Champion in 2010, versus Edna Kiplagat (Kenya), the 2011 IAAF
World Champion. Three of the top four in the current WMM Standings. Can
anyone try to challenge this trio for a medal? Maybe Tiki Gelana (Ethiopia)
winner of the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon in a National Record, 2:18:58, or
Shalane Flanagan (USA) or - will someone come out of nowhere like
Romania's Constantina Dita in Beijing in 2008?
MEN'S RACE
Of the top ten currently on the WMM 2011-2012 Points Scoring Chart, only
three athletes are racing in the Olympic Marathon (Kenya's trio of Wilson
Kipsang, Abel Kirui and Emmanuel Mutai), so we could see a huge change in
the WMM standings prior to the Fall 2012 races at the BMW Berlin Marathon
on September 30th, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 7th,
and the Series ending race on November 4th at the ING New York City
Marathon.
WHO TO LOOK FOR - Can anyone beat the three Kenyans: Wilson Kipsang, the
2012 Virgin London Marathon Champion, Abel Kirui, two time IAAF World
Champion in 2009 and 2011, and Emmanuel Mutai, 2011 Virgin London Marathon
Champion, and 2010-2011 World Marathon Majors Champion? Surely all three
Kenyans cannot have an off day. Ethiopia will be hoping they can produce a
medal from Ayele Abshero, Getu Feleke, or Dino Sefir. It is difficult to
see anyone else challenging for a medal. But of course that is why we
hold the race!!
Points Scoring Tables and Reports will follow the respective Olympic
Marathons on August 5th and 12th.
For further information on the World Marathon Majors, please visit the
website www.worldmarathonmajors.com.
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