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Nation's 15th largest marathon lures elite competitors
AUSTIN, Texas - Among the estimated 5,500 plus runners in this year's AT&T Austin Marathon, 14 U.S. athletes will be competing against a field of professional runners for a finishing time worthy of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. The 2007 AT&T Austin Marathon and accompanying Half Marathon will be held Sunday, February 18.
The U.S. Olympic hopefuls make up approximately one-third of the 50-member elite athlete field, the largest the AT&T Austin Marathon has ever seen. The elite athletes hail from all over the globe with hometowns in Belarus, Kenya, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Russia and Serbia, as well as 30 American runners.
Paul McMullen, a 1996 Olympian at 1500 meters, is attempting to qualify a second time after suffering a severed toe injury in 1997. In 2001, he battled back from the incident to place 10th at the World Championships 1500 meter competition. A feat he accomplished hours after his daughter Olivia was born.
Several running legends will also attend the marathon as guests:
* Craig Virgin - the first and only American male to ever win the IAAF World Cross Country Championship (1980-81)
* Henry Rono - Kenyan superstar who broke four different world records in a span of 81 days in 1978
* Steve Jones - a Welsh athlete who broke the world record in his first competitive marathon
* Patti Catalano Dillon - a pioneer in women's running who has earned several national and world records
In order to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials, men must complete the 26.2-mile race in under 2:22:01, while women must finish under 2:47:01. The qualifying men and women will travel to New York and Boston, respectively, where they will complete a final round of competition before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
About the AT&T Austin Marathon
Since its first race in 1992, the Austin Marathon has grown to become the 15th-largest marathon in the United States, with the event attracting more than 10,000 runners and 30,000 spectators to the city of Austin each year and generating more than $5.5 million for the local economy. The race is operated by the Austin Marathon Foundation, a nonprofit corporation formed in July 2005 with the mission and goal of organizing a world-class marathon that unites the community, brings national attention to the region, promotes health and fitness, and benefits both local and national charities. For more information, visit: ATTAustinMarathon.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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