Posted: December 30, 2004

Athletics: Olympic Silver Medalist Keflezighi Joins Stacked Flora London Marathon Field

Last Five Champions to Celebrate London's 25th Silver Edition

LONDON - Olympic champion Stefano Baldini, world champion Jaouad Gharib and world record holder Paul Tergat have joined the parade of champions for the Flora London Marathon on April 17, 2005.

In addition, Athens Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. and second fastest marathon runner ever Sammy Korir enter a line-up which includes the last five London champions Evans Rutto, Gezahegne Abera, Khalid Khannouchi, Abdelkader El Mouaziz and Antonio Pinto.

"We could not wish for a more exclusive field to celebrate the 25th running of the race," said Race Director David Bedford. "This is the Olympic final we should have had. But watch this space, there is more to come".

Other major signings include Daniel Njenga, Antonio Pena, Joseph Ngolepus, Lee Troop and John Yuda.

The Marathon also welcomes back Olympic fourth-placer, Britain's Jon Brown, who once again showed in Athens that he knows how to peak for the big races.

The route has undergone changes for 2005 making it approximately 45 seconds faster. The diversion around the Tower Hotel and the cobbles of the Tower of London have been replaced by a fast section along the Highway and Tower Hill.

There was a record 98,500 UK applications for 2005 entry, a 20% increase on the previous year. In 1981, there were 20,000 applicants for 7,000 places. The full complement of 46,000 for 2005 is made up of charity entrants, sponsors and overseas competitors. Each year the Marathon, the world's third largest behind New York and Chicago, raises over £32m for charity.

Elite men's field by fastest times:
Paul Tergat (KEN) 2:04:55, world record
Sammy Korir (KEN) 2:04:56, #2 all-time
Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 2:05:38, U.S. record
Evans Rutto (KEN) 2:05:50
Daniel Njenga (KEN) 2:06:16
Antonio Pinto (POR) 2:06:36
Abdelkader el Mouaziz (MAR) 2:06:46
Jaouad Gharib (MAR) 2:07:02, 2003 world champion
Stefano Baldini (ITA) 2:07:29, 2004 Olympic Marathon gold medalist
Antonio Pena (ESP) 2:07:34
Gezahegne Abera (ETH) 2:07:54, 2000 Olympic Marathon gold medalist
Joseph Ngolepus (KEN) 2:07:57
Jon Brown (GBR) 2:09:44
Lee Troop (AUS) 2:09:49
Meb Keflezighi (USA) 2:09:53, 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist 
John Yuda (TAN) 2:10:13
Karl Keska (GBR) Debut

For more race information and updates, go to: www.london-marathon.co.uk.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.