FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shobukhova Wraps Up World Marathon Major Win with Victory at Bank of
America Chicago Marathon Wanjiru Races to Victory; All but Ensures World
Marathon Major Title
CHICAGO, October 10, 2010- Liliya Shobukhova set a new Russian women's
marathon record when she finished in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 25 seconds taking
home the Bank of American Chicago Marathon victory and the World Marathon
Major Title. In the men's race, Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya finally broke away
from Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia just after mile 26 to win by 19 seconds in
2:6:24.
At the beginning of the day, Wanjiru and Kebede each had 50 points in the
World Marathon Major standings. After staying close throughout the race,
Wanjiru and Kebede ran side-by-side and traded off the lead at mile 26,
before Wanjiru surged to the front and never looked back. His strong finish
gave Wanjiru 25 points, bringing his total up to 75 and the lead with only
one event, the ING New York City Marathon, remaining in the series.
Kebede's second-place finish (2:06:43) gave him 15 points, bringing his
total to 65. The only opportunity for Wanjiru to be defeated would be for
Kebede to make a quick recovery to run New York, and finish second or
better.
In the women's race, Shobukhova took hold of the lead around the 35K mark
and did not face any competition the rest of the race, with Astede Baysa of
Ethiopia finishing second, over three minutes behind. In addition to a
personal best and the Russian women's marathon record, the victory gave her
an additional 25 points in the World Marathon Major standings, bringing her
total to 85 and guaranteeing her the title and $500,000 purse.
The top five men and women finishers at the Boston, London, Berlin,
Chicago, New York World Championships and Olympic Marathons will earn
points in a $1 million two-year series to crown the World Marathon Majors
champion. The 2009-10 series will conclude at the ING New York City
Marathon on Sunday, November 7. The men's and women's champions will both
win $500,000. The points breakdown is 1st -25, 2nd-15, 3rd-10, 4th-5 and
5th -1.
The current 2009-2010 World Marathon Major standings are:
Men
Place Name Country Point Total
1 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 75
2 Tesgaye Kebede ETH 65
3 Deriba Merga ETH 35
3 Emmauel Mutai KEN 35
5 Jaouad Gharib MOR 30
Women
Place Name Country Point Total
1 Liliya Shobukhova RUS 85
2 Irina Mikitenko GER 41
3 Salina Kosgei KEN 36
4 Teyba Erkesso ETH 30
5 Xue Bai CHN 25
5 Bezunesh Bekele ETH 25
5 Atsede Habtamu ETH 25
5 Aberu Kebede ETH 25
5 Derartu Tulu ETH 25
www.worldmarathonmajors.com
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