FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Samuel Wanjiru to Make Marathon Debut at the
ING New York City Marathon 2007
Dmytro Baranovsky will also join star-studded
professional field in New York
New York, September 26, 2007—The eagerly anticipated marathon debut of
half-marathon world record holder Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya at the ING New
York City Marathon 2007 on November 4, was announced today by New York Road
Runners president, CEO, and race director Mary Wittenberg.
"Sammy rocked the running world by running faster than anyone else at the
half-marathon distance, faster than any of the stars of our sport,
including the veterans in this year's field," Wittenberg said. "His true
test will be the marathon distance. As the youngest in the field, Sammy
comes to New York to prove himself against some of the world's best at the
toughest distance."
Wanjiru, 20, has lowered the half-marathon world record three times in the
past two years. He first made his mark as an 18-year-old, setting his first
world half-marathon record of 59 minutes, 16 seconds at the Fortis
Half-Marathon Rotterdam in 2005. His time was one second faster than the
world record Paul Tergat set in 1998. Earlier this year in March, Wanjiru
returned to Rotterdam and ran the course in 58:33, improving his own
half-marathon record by twenty seconds, set in Ras al Khaimah on February
9, 2007. En route to his half-marathon record, Wanjiru also unofficially
broke legendary runner Haile Gebrselassie's 20K world record with a time of
55:31.
Ukranian Dmytro Baranovsky, 28, will make his U.S. debut at the ING New
York City Marathon. The 2005 Fukuoka Marathon champion, Baranovsky became
the national record holder in the marathon, after finishing second to
Gebrselassie at the 2006 Fukuoka Marathon in 2:07:15.
Wanjiru and Baranovsky join a talented and experienced professional field
that includes defending champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, ING
New York City Marathon 2006 runner-up Stephen Kiogora of Kenya, ING New
York City Marathon former champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, and
this year's Flora London Marathon winner Martin Lel, also of Kenya.
The ING New York City Marathon 2007 professional field will compete for
more than $700,000 in prize money. The marathon will conclude the inaugural
World Marathon Majors series, which will award a $1 million total prize
purse to the top male and female marathoners.
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