MEDIA GUIDE SATURDAY O :00 AM CENTRAL PARK #UAEHK10K

Transcription

1 MEDIA GUIDE SATURDAY O :00 AM CENTRAL PARK #UAEHK10K

2 CONTACTS MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS For media inquiries related to UAE Healthy Kidney 10K professional athletes and race management: Chris Weiller Vice President, Media and Public Relations / cweiller@nyrr.org Lauren Doll Director, Media and Public Relations / ldoll@nyrr.org Emily Gallagher Manager, Media and Public Relations / egallagher@nyrr.org Robert Molke Coordinator, Media and Public Relations / rmolke@nyrr.org Athletes will be available for post-race interviews immediately following the race at the finish line mixed zone just past the finish on the west side of West Drive. An awards ceremony will follow. Information current as of May 14,

3 CONTENTS ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K 3 United Arab Emirates 3 National Kidney Foundation 5 By the Numbers 5 NYRR Youth Running Series 6 Event History 8 Course Map 9 Prize Purse PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE FIELDS 10 Entrant List 11 Profiles RESULTS AND STATISTICS 20 Champions, Top 15 Finishers, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 22 Top 20 Road 10K Performances, All-Time Men 23 Top 20 Road 10K Performances, All-Time Women 24 Top 20 Road 10K Performances, 2015 Men 25 Top 20 Road 10K Performances, 2015 Women 26 Top 20 10K Performances in Central Park, All-Time Men 27 Top 20 10K Performances in Central Park, All-Time Women 28 About New York Road Runners (NYRR) 28 NYRR Youth and Community Services 30 NYRR History 35 Notes UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

4 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The United Arab Emirates is the primary sponsor of the race, which benefits the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., in appreciation of American doctors and U.S. excellence in the kidney transplant arena. UAE s founder and first president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan benefited from U.S. expertise, knowledge, and research when he received a kidney transplant in Among his many honors and accomplishments, he was most proud of being a kidney transplant survivor. PROMOTING PEACE AND HARMONY Official Name: United Arab Emirates Political Structure: Federation of seven emirates established in 1971 National Day: December 2 President: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Capital: Abu Dhabi The UAE is a source of stability, tolerance, innovation, and growth in the Arabian Gulf and around the globe. The United States and the UAE are reliable allies, with historical and present-day shared security and economic interests. In fact, the UAE is the largest export market for US goods in the Middle East and more US naval vessels visit UAE ports than any other port outside the United States. The United States and the UAE also enjoy growing social and cultural ties, and many US institutions in education, healthcare and the arts have formed collaborative partnerships with UAE entities. For more information, visit uae-embassy.org. NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION Every year, the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K raises awareness of kidney disease and organ donation, and promotes kidney health by supporting the National Kidney Foundation and its lifesaving programs. Twenty-six million American adults have kidney disease and most don t know it Approximately 450,000 Americans are on dialysis treatment for kidney failure Over 101,000 Americans are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant One in three American adults is currently at risk for developing kidney disease Major risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure and being age 60 or older Additional risk factors include kidney stones, smoking, obesity and cardiovascular disease Because kidney disease often has no symptoms, it can go undetected until it is very advanced Early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease. If you are at risk, ask your doctor for a simple blood and urine test for kidney disease. (continued) 3

5 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION continued National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the leading organization in the United States dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. The National Kidney Foundation is grateful for the support and donations provided by the people of the United Arab Emirates and the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K participants. You can make a difference in the fight against kidney disease by supporting the National Kidney Foundation. To get started, go to donate.kidney.org/uae10krace where you can set up your own personal fundraising page for the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K or make a direct donation to the National Kidney Foundation UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

6 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K BY THE NUMBERS 65,826 finishers in the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K since its first running in The number has grown from 4,146 in the 2005 inaugural running to 8,078 last year. 35,159 male finishers in the race s history 30,667 female finishers in the race s history Approximately 8,000 runners from across the world will be raising awareness of kidney disease and the importance of early detection in the 2015 race. $25,000: Amount of the 2015 first-place prize, the largest winner s purse in any 10K in the world and in any non-marathon road race in the United States $30,000: Amount of the Zayed Bonus, given to the top finisher to run faster than 27:35 for men, 30:44 for women 27:35: Men s event record, set by Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya in :17: Women s event record, set by Joyce Chepkirui of Kenya in Olympians entered in the 2015 professional athlete field 7 men who have run 27:35 or faster for 10K (road and/or track) entered in the 2015 professional athlete field 5 women who have run 31:30 or faster for 10K (road and/or track) entered in the 2015 professional athlete field NYRR YOUTH RUNNING SERIES AT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K Launched in September 2014, the NYRR Youth Running Series offers running events designed just for kids throughout the school year. This three-season program includes cross country, indoor track, and road running, featuring kid-friendly distances ranging from three-quarters of a mile to two miles. The NYRR Youth Running Series at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K will conclude the spring road racing season with a 1.7-mile race in Central Park. The season began on March 15 with the 1500-meter NYRR Times Square Kids Run at the United Airlines NYC Half, followed by the 1.7-mile NYRR Youth Running Series at the Scotland Run on April 4 and the one-mile NYRR Kids Boardwalk Run at the Airbnb Brooklyn Half on May 16. 5

7 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K EVENT HISTORY Since its inaugural running in 2005, the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K has drawn more than 65,000 runners to Central Park to fight kidney disease, led by a field of top professional athletes. Read a quick recap of each year s pro race A field of professional male runners from around the world took part in the inaugural UAE Healthy Kidney 10K on May 22, Two-time Olympian Craig Mottram of Australia won the race in 28:28, the second-fastest 10K time ever recorded in Central Park at the time Craig Mottram of Australia defended his title in convincing fashion, running with a pack through two miles and then breaking away. He won in 28:13, 24 seconds ahead of runnerup Mo Farah of Great Britain. Mottram s time fell just three seconds shy of the then-current Central Park record for 10K of 28:10, set by Paul Koech of Kenya in Dathan Ritzenhein, who would return to Central Park in November to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic marathon team, gave a hint of what was to come by running away from two-time defending champion Craig Mottram of Australia to win in an event-record time of 28:08 two seconds faster than Kenyan Paul Koech s 1997 Central Park 10K record. Ritzenhein donated his $7,500 first prize to the National Kidney Foundation Patrick Makau of Kenya was undefeated in four major half-marathons in 2008 when he made his United States racing debut at the 2008 Healthy Kidney 10K. He went out hard and opened a gap on the field in the first mile. The tough Central Park hills slowed Makau s last 5K, however, and he had to hang tough to win in 28: Tadese Tola of Ethiopia went out hard and broke away early from defending champion Patrick Makau of Kenya, who he had edged by one second in the 2008 NYC Half. He won by 40 seconds, the biggest margin in event history, and knocked 22 seconds off Dathan Ritzenhein s two-year-old event record to earn the Zayed Bonus Ethiopia s Gebre Gebremariam gave New York a preview of what he would do half a year later at the 2010 New York City Marathon when he sprinted away from Peter Kamais of Kenya to win the sixth edition of the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K. He broke the year-old event record by six seconds with his time of 27: Kenyan countrymen and friends Leonard Patrick Komon and Micah Kogo came to NYC as the two fastest 10K road runners in history. Komon added the event record to his world record, becoming the fourth winner of the Zayed Bonus with his 27: UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

8 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K 2012 Italian Olympian Daniele Meucci used a big finishing kick to win his New York debut by two seconds over Iona College student Leonard Lenny Korir of Kenya, who rushed off to his graduation ceremony after the race. Bobby Curtis took third, becoming the first American to place in the top three since Dathan Ritzenhein won the 2007 race World and event record-holder Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya returned after a year s absence and went after his own record. After a blazing two miles at sub-27:00 pace, he was already alone but hot, humid conditions slowed him in the second half. He hung on to win by four seconds in 27: Men s Race: Defending champion Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya took off once again from the starting horn, but was matched by fellow Kenyan Stephen Sambu. Running stride-for-stride over the first 5K, Sambu proved the stronger runner in the second half, nearly equaling Komon s event record by running 27:39 despite high humidity on race day. Women s Race: The 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K also featured an expanded women s professional field for the first time in event history. Among strong international competition, Kenyan Joyce Chepkirui took home the win in 31:17, shattering the event record by nearly two minutes. 7

9 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K West 110th St. West 100th St. West 97th St. West 96th St. West 90th St. West 86th St. West 81st St. American Museum of Natural History West 77th St. West 72nd St. West 67th St. West 66th St. Central Park West Central Park West Central Park West West Park Drive West Park Drive The Pool 2 1 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. Lenox Ave. Central Park North - 110th St. North Meadow Ballfields UAE Healthy Kidney 10K MAY 30, 2015 Race Route Youth Race Route 1 Mile Marker Start/Finish Fluid Station & Toilets RACE DAY CENTRAL N Bib pickup Information Registration Volunteer Check-In Water Stations & Toilets Medical Aid Stations Baggage Festival Great Lawn Turtle Pond East Park Drive The Ramble Loeb Boathouse The Lake Strawberry Fields Mineral Springs RACE DAY Bandshell CENTRAL YOUTH RACE FINISH FINISH YOUTH RACE Tavern START on the Green Sheep Meadow 3 East Park Drive The Reservoir 5 Harlem Meer 4 Metropolitan Museum of Art 5th Avenue 5th Avenue 5th Avenue East 110th St. East 102nd St. East 97th St. East 96th St. East 90th St. Guggenheim Museum East 85th St. East 84th St. East 79th St. East 72nd St. East 66th St. COURSE MILE 1 The race starts on West Drive near 62nd Street and heads north; there is a moderate uphill near the end of the first mile. MILE 2 The route continues through a series of rolling hills as it passes the Reservoir. MILE 3 After passing the 102nd Street Transverse on the right, runners ascend, then descend Harlem Hill before continuing past Lasker Rink. MILE 4 Runners climb another hill as they run south on East Drive, and then climb a small hill after they pass the 102nd Street Transverse again. The bronze Fred Lebow statue stands on the right side of the course near the 4-mile mark. MILE 5 Continuing south, the route passes the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the left and Cleopatra s Needle on the right. Runners descend Cat Hill (the Still Hunt statue will be on the right side of the roadway) and climb a slight rise right at the 5-mile mark. MILE 6 Once past the 72nd Street Transverse, runners continue around the bottom of the park. At the 6-mile mark, Columbus Circle can be seen on the left. MILE 6.2 Runners head up a slight incline to the finish at 67th Street on West Drive; this is also the TCS New York City Marathon finish line! East 65th St. Zoo START Wollman Rink West 61st St. 6 The Pond Columbus Circle 7th Ave. Central Park South 6th Ave. Grand Army East 59th St. Plaza UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

10 ABOUT THE UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K PRIZE PURSE The UAE Healthy Kidney 10K offers $100,000 in prize money to open runners and New York Road Runners members. The $30,000 Zayed Bonus, courtesy of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in honor of former UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, will be given to the first man to break the event record of 27:35 (Leonard Patrick Komon, UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, 2011) and/or the first woman to break 30:44 (Lornah Kiplagat, New York Mini 10K, 2002). OPEN PRIZE COMPONENT (MEN AND WOMEN): $94,800 1st $25,000 2nd 10,000 3rd 5,000 4th 3,000 5th 2,000 6th 1,000 7th 800 8th 600 NYRR MEMBER PRIZE COMPONENT: $5,200 Prizes will be awarded to the top five male and female NYRR members. To qualify for member prize money, an athlete must have been a member of NYRR since February 28, st $1,000 2nd 750 3rd 500 4th 250 5th 100 9

11 2015 RACE: ENTRANT LIST MEN Athlete Country Age Road PR Track PR Twitter Abdi Abdirahman USA 38 28:32 Kevin Chelimo KEN 32 29:58 27:30.50 Lelisa Desisa ETH 25 27:57 27:11.98 Wilson Kipsang KEN 33 27:32 Leonard Korir KEN 28 28:09 27:29.40 Mourad Marofit MAR 33 28:11 29:44.40 Yonas Mebrahtu ERI 27 29:00 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 33 27:19 Stephen Sambu KEN 26 27:25 Ben True USA 29 27:51 WOMEN Athlete Country Age Road PR Track PR Twitter Joyce Chepkirui KEN 26 30:37 31:26.10 Gladys Cherono KEN 32 30:57 30:29.23 Mamitu Daska ETH 31 31:04 31:36.88 Risper Gesabwa KEN 26 31:48 Lindsey Scherf USA 28 32:33 Gemma Steel GBR 29 31:27 Mary Wacera KEN 26 31:28 Athletes are profiled in the following pages. Current as of May 14, UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

12 2015 RACE: PROFILES MEN Career Highlights ABDI ABDIRAHMAN Country: United States Age: 38 Date of Birth: January 1, 1977 Residence: Tucson, AZ 10K Road Personal Best: 28:32, Richmond, 2008 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2012: 5th, 28:56; 2011: 14th, 29:44; 2010: 6th, 28:35; 2009: 11th, 29: USA Half-Marathon Championships 1st 1:02: U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon 3rd 2:09: New York City Marathon 6th 2:14: IAAF World Championships 10,000m 7th 27: NYC Half 2nd 1:00:29 Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Abdirahman became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and graduated from the University of Arizona in He is a four-time U.S. Olympian, having represented Team USA in the 10,000 meters in 2000, 2004, and 2008, and in the marathon in Abdi, also known as The Black Cactus, lives and trains in Tucson, AZ. He returns to the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K after four consecutive appearances from 2009 to KEVIN CHELIMO Country: Kenya Age: 32 Date of Birth: February 14, 1983 Residence: Eugene, OR 10K Road Personal Best: 29:58, San Juan, PUR, 2015 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2015 United Airlines NYC Half 7th 1:02: NYC Half 20th 1:04: NYC Half 13th 1:02: NYC Half 6th 1:01: Kenyan Olympic Trials 10,000m 14th 27:46.10 A native of Kabarnet, Kenya, Chelimo was a two-time NCAA Championships qualifier while running for Texas Tech University. There, he met his wife, Sally Kipyego, the 2012 Olympic 10,000-meter silver medalist. He made his half-marathon debut at the 2012 NYC Half, where he finished sixth in a personal-best 1:01:21; he has returned each year since then, placing 13th in 2013, 20th in 2014, and seventh this past March. 11

13 2015 RACE: PROFILES MEN LELISA DESISA Country: Ethiopia Age: 25 Date of Birth: January 14, 1990 Residence: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 10K Road Personal Best: 27:57, New Delhi, 2010 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2011: 4th, 28:19 Career Highlights 2015 Boston Marathon 1st 2:09: TCS New York City Marathon 2nd 2:11: Boston Marathon 1st 2:10: IAAF World Championships Marathon 2nd 2:10: Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 1st 2:04:45 Desisa began his marathon career with a win at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in January 2013 and won the Boston Marathon only three months later. That August, he ran his third marathon of 2013 at the IAAF World Championships, earning the silver medal. Last November, he finished second at the TCS New York City Marathon. He enters the 2015 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K only five weeks after winning his second Boston Marathon title. WILSON KIPSANG Country: Kenya Age: 33 Date of Birth: March 15, 1982 Residence: Keiyo, Kenya 10K Road Personal Best: 27:32, New Delhi, 2008 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2014 TCS New York City Marathon 1st 2:10: Virgin Money London Marathon 1st 2:04: BMW Berlin Marathon 1st 2:03: NYC Half 1st 1:01: London Olympic Marathon 3rd 2:09:37 Kipsang, the 2012 London Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, has run under 2:05 six times; his 2:03:23 at the 2013 BMW Berlin Marathon was a world record at the time. He won his first Virgin Money London Marathon title in 2012, ran a course-record 2:04:29 in 2014, and was second this April in 2:04:47. At the 2009 RAK Half-Marathon, he became the fifth person in history to break 59 minutes, running 58:59. He won the 2013 NYC Half, and returned to the Big Apple to win his TCS New York City Marathon debut last November UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

14 2015 RACE: PROFILES MEN LEONARD KORIR Country: Kenya Age: 28 Date of Birth: December 10, 1986 Residence: Tucson, AZ 10K Road Personal Best: 28:09, Boston, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2013: 7th, 28:44; 2012: 2nd, 28:30 Career Highlights 2015 United Airlines NYC Half 1st 1:01: NYC Half 4th 1:01: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 2nd 28: NCAA Outdoor Championships 10,000m 1st 28: NCAA Indoor Championships 5000m 1st 13:26.01 Korir won the 2015 United Airlines NYC Half with a last-second lean to break the tape, setting a new personal best of 1:01:06. His only prior run at the NYC Half came in 2013, when he placed fourth in 1:01:19. The streets of New York City are familiar ground for the Iona College graduate, who won two NCAA titles and earned eight All-American honors with the Gaels. Raised in Iten, Kenya, Korir now lives and trains in Tucson, AZ. MOURAD MAROFIT Country: Morocco Age: 33 Date of Birth: January 26, 1982 Residence: Khemisset, Morocco 10K Road Personal Best: 28:11, Brunssum, NED, 2008 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 5th, 28:50 Career Highlights 2014 Blue Cross Broad Street Run (10M) 1st 47: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 5th 28: International Marathon of Marrakech 3rd 2:11: IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships 30th 1:03: KBC Night of Athletics 5000m 1st 13:02.84 Marofit represented Morocco at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where he competed in the heats of the 5000 meters. That same year, he ran a personal-best 13:02.84 to win the 5000 meters at the KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden, Belgium. Last May, he won the Blue Cross Broad Street Run in Philadelphia before placing fifth in his UAE Healthy Kidney 10K debut. 13

15 2015 RACE: PROFILES MEN Career Highlights YONAS MEBRAHTU Country: Eritrea Age: 27 Date of Birth: January 12, 1988 Residence: Flagstaff, AZ 10K Road Personal Best: 29:00, New York, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 7th, 29: United Airlines NYC Half 16th 1:03: NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K 2nd 14: Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon 6th 1:02: Brooklyn Half 1st 1:04: NYC Half 18th 1:03:48 As one of the top NYRR members competing, Mebrahtu is back in the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K field after placing seventh last year. A week after his run against a pro field in Central Park, he broke the tape on Coney Island at the Brooklyn Half, finishing in 1:04:23. Mebrahtu set a half-marathon personal best last September when he ran 1:02:59 for sixth at the Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon. GEOFFREY MUTAI Country: Kenya Age: 33 Date of Birth: October 7, 1981 Residence: Kapng etuny, Kenya 10K Road Personal Best: 27:19, Boston, 2011 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2014 NYC Half 1st 1:00: New York City Marathon 1st 2:08: BMW Berlin Marathon 1st 2:04: Boston Marathon 1st 2:03: New York City Marathon 1st 2:05:06 In 2011, Mutai shattered the New York City Marathon course record by more than two and a half minutes, winning in 2:05:06. Earlier that year, he recorded what was then the fastest time in history 2:03:02 to win the Boston Marathon. Mutai secured the World Marathon Majors Series VI title with a win at the 2012 BMW Berlin Marathon. Mutai defended his New York title in 2013, and won the 2014 NYC Half the following March UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

16 2015 RACE: PROFILES MEN STEPHEN SAMBU Country: Kenya Age: 26 Date of Birth: July 7, 1988 Residence: Tucson, AZ 10K Road Personal Best: 27:25, Boston, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 1st, 27:39; 2013: 3rd, 28:02 Career Highlights 2015 United Airlines NYC Half 2nd 1:01: Prefontaine Classic 10,000m 4th 26: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 1st 27: NYC Half 3rd 1:01: B.A.A. Half 3rd 1:00:41 Sambu was third at the 2014 NYC Half in 1:01:08, and clocked 1:01:07 for second in a close finish this year. At last year s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, he missed the course-record bonus by only four seconds despite humid conditions. Later that May, he broke 27 minutes for 10,000 meters, placing fourth at the Prefontaine Classic. Sambu, a seven-time NCAA All-American at the University of Arizona, continues to live and train in Tucson. BEN TRUE Country: United States Age: 29 Date of Birth: December 29, 1985 Residence: Enfield, NH 10K Road Personal Best: 27:51, Cape Elizabeth, ME, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2015 Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational 10,000m 2nd 27:43: B.A.A. 5K 1st 13: USATF 15K Championships 1st 44: Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational 5000m 1st 13: IAAF World Cross Country Championships (12K) 6th 33:11 True broke a 19-year-old American record for the road 5K this April, running 13:22 at the B.A.A. 5K to lower the record by two seconds. In March, he won his third consecutive U.S. title at 15K. He was the top American at the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, placing sixth to lead the U.S. to a silver team medal. Raised in North Yarmouth, ME, True competed on the cross country, track, and ski teams at Dartmouth College. In October, True married Sarah Groff, a two-time ITU Triathlon World Championships medalist. 15

17 2015 RACE: PROFILES WOMEN JOYCE CHEPKIRUI Country: Kenya Age: 26 Date of Birth: August 20, 1988 Residence: Iten, Kenya 10K Road Personal Best: 30:37, Berlin, 2013 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 1st, 31:17 Career Highlights 2015 United Airlines NYC Half 2nd 1:08: Prague Half Marathon 1st 1:06: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 1st 31: Commonwealth Games 10,000m 1st 32: IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships 5th 1:09:30 Chepkirui lowered her half-marathon personal-best to 1:06:19 at the Prague Half-Marathon last April, making her one of the fastest women in history. Chepkirui battled strong winds and rain at the Honolulu Marathon in December to win in 2:30:23. Chepkirui will look to defend her UAE Healthy Kidney 10K title, having set the event record of 31:17 last May. In March, she was the runner-up at the 2015 United Airlines NYC Half in 1:08:42. GLADYS CHERONO Country: Kenya Age: 32 Date of Birth: May 12, 1983 Residence: Kericho, Kenya 10K Road Personal Best: 30:57, Tilburg, NED, 2012 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2015 Istanbul Half Marathon 1st 1:06: Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2nd 2:20: IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships 1st 1:07: IAAF World Championships 10,000m 2nd 30: Prague Half-Marathon 1st 1:06:48 Cherono made a strong marathon debut in January when she placed second at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, finishing only one second back from the race winner. In 2014, Cherono won the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, leading Kenya s sweep of the top five places. The two medals added to Cherono s collection, as she won the silver medal in the 10,000 meters at 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

18 2015 RACE: PROFILES WOMEN MAMITU DASKA Country: Ethiopia Age: 31 Date of Birth: October 16, 1983 Residence: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 10K Road Personal Best: 31:04, Boston, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 2nd, 31:40 Career Highlights 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships (8K) 8th 26: RAK Half-Marathon 2nd 1:06: Oakley New York Mini 10K 1st 31: BMW Frankfurt Marathon 1st 2:21: NYC Half 2nd 1:11:04 Daska won the Oakley New York Mini 10K in 2013, and was the runner-up at both the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and the Mini last year. Last June, she set her road 10K personal best with a 31:04 to win her second consecutive B.A.A. 10K. So far in 2015 she has set a new half-marathon personal best 1:06:28 good for second place at the RAK Half-Marathon in February, and placed eighth at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in March. RISPER GESABWA Country: Kenya Age: 26 Date of Birth: February 10, 1989 Residence: Marietta, GA 10K Road Personal Best: 31:43, New Orleans, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 5th, 32:19 Career Highlights 2014 New Balance Falmouth Road Race (7.3M) 7th 37: BolderBOULDER 10K 3rd 33: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 5th 32: Des Moines Hy-Vee Road Races Half-Marathon 2nd 1:11: Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10K 1st 31:43 Gesabwa s 2014 racing season saw her compete in more than 20 road races across North America. Last April, she ran a 24-second personal best in the 10K (31:43) in New Orleans, LA, and closed the month with a new half-marathon best (1:11:41) in Des Moines, IA. Gesabwa bases her training out of Marietta, GA, and she looks to improve upon her fifthplace finish from last year s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K. 17

19 2015 RACE: PROFILES WOMEN LINDSEY SCHERF Country: United States Age: 28 Date of Birth: September 18, 1986 Residence: Hartsdale, NY 10K Road Personal Best: 32:33, Mobile, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2015 USA 25K Championships 1st 1:26: Bank of America Chicago Marathon 12th 2:37: USA 15K Championships 5th 50: NYRR New York Mini 10K 9th 33: NYC Half 14th 1:11:45 Last February, Scherf returned from an injury-shortened 2013 to take first at the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic half-marathon in 1:13:08. In October, she finished 12th overall and seventh among Americans at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Scherf was raised in Scarsdale, NY, and graduated from Harvard University as a four-time NCAA All-American. On May 9 of this year, she won the USA 25K Championships in Grand Rapids, MI. She holds the American junior record for 10,000 meters at 32: GEMMA STEEL Country: Great Britain Age: 29 Date of Birth: November 12, 1985 Residence: Leicester, England 10K Road Personal Best: 31:27, Cape Elizabeth, ME, 2014 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: Debut Career Highlights 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships (8K) 18th 28: European Cross Country Championships (8K) 1st 28: Great North Run (half-marathon) 2nd 1:08: TD Beach to Beacon 10K 1st 31: IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships 7th 1:11:09 Steel returns to New York City after two consecutive third-place finishes at the Oakley New York Mini 10K. Her second-place 1:08:13 at the 2014 Great North Run lowered her best time by more than two minutes. In December, her individual gold led Great Britain to the team title at the European Cross Country Championships. Steel was Great Britain s top finisher at the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, placing 18th overall UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

20 2015 RACE: PROFILES WOMEN MARY WACERA Country: Kenya Age: 26 Date of Birth: December 17, 1988 Residence: Nyahururu, Kenya 10K Road Personal Best: 31:28, Montereau, France, 2012 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K History: 2014: 3rd, 31:52 Career Highlights 2015 B.A.A. 5K 6th 15: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K 3rd 31: IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships 2nd 1:07: World s Best 10K 1st 32: Foulées Monterelaises 10K 1st 31:28 Wacera kicked off 2014 by taking the silver medal in the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships, leading Kenya s sweep of the top-five places. Her time, 1:07:44, was a personal record by nearly three minutes. She won the 2014 World s Best 10K in Puerto Rico, edging countrywoman Gladys Cherono by three seconds. Before finding her calling as a runner, Wacera wanted to become a lawyer. She calls running a form of independence. 19

21 RESULTS AND STATISTICS CHAMPIONS MEN Year Athlete Country Time 2005 Craig Mottram AUS 28: Craig Mottram (2) AUS 28: Dathan Ritzenhein USA 28: Patrick Makau KEN 28: Tadese Tola ETH 27: Gebre Gebremariam ETH 27: Leonard Patrick Komon KEN 27: Daniele Meucci ITA 28: Leonard Patrick Komon (2) KEN 27: Stephen Sambu KEN 27:39 WOMEN Year Athlete Country Time 2005 Alemtsehay Misganaw ETH 35: Alemtsehay Misganaw (2) ETH 34: Alemtsehay Misganaw (3) ETH 35: Aziza Aliyu ETH 33: Aziza Aliyu (2) ETH 33: Buzunesh Deba ETH 33: Buzunesh Deba (2) ETH 33: Bekelech Bedada ETH 34: Aziza Aliyu (3) ETH 34: Joyce Chepkirui KEN 31:17 MULTIPLE-TIME CHAMPIONS MEN Craig Mottram 2005, 2006 Leonard Patrick Komon 2011, 2013 WOMEN Alemtsehay Misganaw 2005, 2006, 2007 Aziza Aliyu 2008, 2009, 2013 Buzunesh Deba 2010, UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

22 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 15 FINISHERS, 2014 UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K MEN Place Athlete Country Time 1 Stephen Sambu KEN 27:39 2 Leonard Patrick Komon KEN 28:17 3 Daniele Meucci ITA 28:19 4 Collis Birmingham AUS 28:22 5 Mourad Marofit MAR 28:50 6 Kevin Kochei KEN 28:52 7 Yonas Mebrahtu ERI 29:00 8 Ayele Feisa ETH 29:29 9 Eliud Ngetich KEN 29:40 10 Abiyot Endale ETH 29:43 11 Abdelhadi El Mouaziz USA 30:17 12 Harbert Okuti UGA 30:29 13 Negash Abebe Duki ETH 30:51 14 Birhanu Dare Kemal ETH 30:54 15 Michael Cassidy USA 31:21 WOMEN Place Athlete Country Time 1 Joyce Chepkirui KEN 31:17 2 Mamitu Daska ETH 31:40 3 Mary Wacera KEN 31:52 4 Gelete Burka ETH 32:01 5 Risper Gesabwa KEN 32:19 6 Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton KEN 32:37 7 Rkia El Moukim MAR 33:37 8 Bertukan Germame ETH 33:58 9 Hirut Damte ETH 34:09 10 Delilah DiCrescenzo USA 34:54 11 Askale Merachi ETH 35:28 12 Ana Maria De Vries USA 36:35 13 Muliye Gurmu ETH 37:25 14 Jeanna Composti USA 37:53 15 Danielle Landrein USA 38:28 21

23 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 ROAD 10K PERFORMANCES, ALL-TIME MEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Venue Date 1 26:44 Leonard Patrick Komon KEN 1 Utrecht September 26, :01 Micah Kogo KEN 1 Brunssum March 29, :02 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 1 Doha December 11, :04 Joseph Kimani KEN 1 Atlanta, GA July 4, :04 Josphat Menjo KEN 1 Barcelona April 18, :07 Micah Kogo (2) KEN 1 Brunssum April 1, :09 Peter Kamais KEN 1 Tilburg September 6, :10 Leonard Patrick Komon (2) KEN 1 Utrecht September 27, :11 Sammy Kipketer KEN 1 New Orleans, LA March 30, :11 Sammy Kitwara KEN 2 Utrecht September 26, :12 Leonard Patrick Komon (3) KEN 1 Berlin October 10, :15 Micah Kogo (3) KEN 1 Brunssum April 3, :15 Leonard Patrick Komon (4) KEN 1 Berlin October 9, :17 Leonard Patrick Komon (5) KEN er Zandaam September 19, :18 Sammy Kipketer (2) KEN 1 Brunssum April 8, :19 Moses Masai KEN 1 San Juan, PUR February 28, :19 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 1 Boston, MA June 26, :20 Joseph Kimani (2) KEN 1 Cleveland, OH May 5, :21 Micah Kogo (4) KEN 1 Manchester May 20, :22 Martin Mathathi KEN 1 Brunssum March 28, :22 Joseph Ebuya KEN er Portsmouth October 24, 2010 er = time run en route to a longer distance Source: IAAF Information current as of May 14, UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

24 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 ROAD 10K PERFORMANCES, ALL-TIME WOMEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Venue Date 1 30:21 Paula Radcliffe GBR 1 San Juan, PUR February 23, :27 Isabella Ochichi KEN 1 New Orleans, LA March 26, :29 Asmae Leghzaoui MAR 1 New York, NY June 8, :30 Tirunesh Dibaba ETH 1 Tilburg September 1, :32 Lornah Kiplagat KEN 1 Atlanta, GA July 4, :37 Joyce Chepkirui KEN 1 Berlin October 13, :38 Paula Radcliffe (2) GBR 1 London September 22, :38 Joyce Chepkirui (2) KEN 1 Tilburg September 4, :38 Tadelech Bekele ETH 2 Berlin October 13, :39 Liz McColgan GBR 1 Orlando, FL March 11, :41 Lornah Kiplagat NED 1 San Juan, PUR February 29, :43 Paula Radcliffe (3) GBR 1 San Juan, PUR February 17, :43 Joyce Chepkirui (3) KEN 1 Appingedam June 25, :44 Lornah Kiplagat (2) KEN 2 New York, NY June 8, :44 Lornah Kiplagat (3) KEN 1 Voorthuizen July 24, :45 Paula Radcliffe (4) GBR 2 San Juan, PUR February 29, :45 Paula Radcliffe (5) GBR 2 New Orleans, LA March 26, :45 Lineth Chepkurui KEN 1 New Orleans, LA April 3, :45 Mary Keitany KEN er Ras Al Khaimah February 18, :46 Betsy Saina KEN 1 Tilburg September 7, 2014 er = time run en route to a longer distance Source: IAAF Information current as of May 14,

25 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 ROAD 10K PERFORMANCES, 2015 MEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Venue Date 1 27:30 Stephen Sambu KEN 1 Manchester May :38 Stephen Mokoka RSA 2 Manchester May :47 Japhet Korir KEN 1 Würzburg April :48 Bernard Lagat USA 3 Manchester May :50 Wilson Kipsang KEN 4 Manchester May :54 Homiyu Tesfaye GER 1 Paderborn April :58 Amos Kiplimo Mitei KEN 2 Paderborn April :02 Amos Kiplimo Mitei (2) KEN 1 Taroudant March :04 Dawi Fikadu ETH 1 Laredo, ESP March :05 Julius Kogo KEN 1 Edinburg, TX February :05 Cornelius Kipruto Kangogo KEN er Ostia Lido March :05 Robert Kwemoi Chemosin KEN er Ostia Lido March :05 James Githahi Rungaru KEN er Nice April :06 Simon Cheprot KEN er Ostia Lido March :06 Geofrey Kusuro UGA er Ostia Lido March :06 Peter Ndorobo Kwemoi KEN er Ostia Lido March :06 William Kibor Koitile KEN er Ostia Lido March :06 Erick Leon Ndiema KEN er Ostia Lido March :06 Leonard Kipkoech Langat KEN er Ostia Lido March :06 Ahmed Tamri MAR 2 Taroudant March 8 er = time run en route to a longer distance Sources: AIMS, IAAF Information current as of May 14, UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

26 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 ROAD 10K PERFORMANCES, 2015 WOMEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Venue Date 1 31:00 Malika Asahssah MAR 1 Laredo, ESP March :02 Florence Kiplagat KEN er Barcelona February :07 Mary Keitany KEN er Ras Al Khaimah February :08 Josephine Jepkorir KEN er Ras Al Khaimah February :08 Cynthia Limo KEN er Ras Al Khaimah February :08 Mamitu Daska ETH er Ras Al Khaimah February :25 Ana Dulce Felix POR 1 Maia January :30 Malika Asahssah (2) MAR 1 Taroudant March :44 Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal NOR 1 Oslo April :49 Sutume Asefa ETH 1 Paderborn April :55 Hiwot Ayalew ETH 1 New Orleans, LA April :57 Belaynesh Oljira ETH 1 San Juan, PUR March :57 Worknesh Degefa ETH er Prague March :58 Rose Chelimo KEN er Adana January :58 Cynthia Limo (2) KEN 2 San Juan, PUR March :58 Yebrqual Melese ETH er Prague March :59 Afera Godfay ETH er Prague March :06 Amane Beriso ETH er Ostia Lido March :06 Hirut Alemayehu ETH er Ostia Lido March :06 Sutume Asefa (2) ETH 1 Roanne April 12 er = time run en route to a longer distance Sources: AIMS, IAAF Information current as of May 14,

27 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 10K PERFORMANCES IN CENTRAL PARK, ALL-TIME MEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Race Date 1 27:35 Leonard Patrick Komon KEN 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 14, :39 Stephen Sambu KEN 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :42 Gebre Gebremariam ETH 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :48 Tadese Tola ETH 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 16, :49 Peter Kamais KEN 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :55 Micah Kogo KEN 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 14, :56 Joseph Ebuya KEN 3 UAE Healthy Kidney May 14, :58 Leonard Patrick Komon (2) KEN 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 11, :02 Moses Kipsiro UGA 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 11, :08 Dathan Ritzenhein USA 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 19, :10 Paul Koech KEN 1 Treveira Twosome April 26, :13 Craig Mottram AUS 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 20, :17 Leonard Patrick Komon (3) KEN 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :18 Abera Kuma ETH 4 UAE Healthy Kidney May 11, :19 Patrick Makau KEN 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 17, :19 Julius Kogo KEN 3 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :19 Lelisa Desisa ETH 4 UAE Healthy Kidney May 14, :19 Simon Ndirangu KEN 5 UAE Healthy Kidney May 14, :19 Daniele Meucci ITA 3 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :22 Collis Birmingham AUS 4 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

28 RESULTS AND STATISTICS TOP 20 10K PERFORMANCES IN CENTRAL PARK, ALL-TIME WOMEN Rank Time Athlete Country Place Race Date 1 31:17 Joyce Chepkirui KEN 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :40 Mamitu Daska ETH 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :52 Mary Wacera KEN 3 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :01 Gelete Burka ETH 4 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :19 Risper Gesabwa KEN 5 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :37 Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton KEN 6 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :56 Aziza Aliyu ETH 1 Joe Kleinerman December 7, :09 Buzunesh Deba ETH 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :17 Salome Kosgei KEN 2 Joe Kleinerman December 7, :22 Liz Costello USA 1 Scotland Run April 6, :31 Frances Koons USA 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :32 Aziza Aliyu (2) ETH 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 17, :37 Rkia El Moukim MAR 7 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, :38 Aziza Aliyu (3) ETH 1 UAE Healthy Kidney May 16, :41 Hirut Mandefro ETH 2 UAE Healthy Kidney May 16, :44 Alemtsehay Misganaw ETH 3 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :47 Salome Kosgei (2) KEN 4 UAE Healthy Kidney May 15, :52 Aziza Aliyu (4) ETH 1 Joe Kleinerman December 9, :53 Genet Gebregiorgis ETH 1 Joe Kleinerman December 12, :58 Germame Bertukan ETH 8 UAE Healthy Kidney May 10, 2014 This list is of times run entirely within Central Park. Significantly, it does not include times run in the Oakley New York Mini 10K, or in any of the previous Mini races in the years since the first 1.5 miles of the course were moved outside Central Park. 27

29 ABOUT (NYRR) New York Road Runners was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people. Over the past 57 years, NYRR has grown from a local running club to the world s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR s mission-focused approach centers on getting people of all ages and abilities to improve their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness to Run for Life. NYRR s commitment to New York City s five boroughs features races, community events, youth running programs and events, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. More than 200,000 students are served locally and nationally through NYRR s free youth running programs, events, and resources, including more than 120,000 in New York City s five boroughs. NYRR s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the mile race runs through the five boroughs of New York City Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan and features 50,000 runners, from the world s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series featuring the world s top marathons Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Headquartered in New York City, NYRR implements a unique nonprofit model that teams contributed and earned income to make all its efforts possible. To learn more, visit nyrr.org. NYRR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES More than 200,000 students are served locally and nationally through free NYRR youth running programs, events, and resources, including more than 120,000 in New York City s five boroughs SCHOOL YEAR NYRR s free youth programming includes year-round school- and communitybased programs, seasonal programs, and day-long fitness events for NYC kids of all ages and abilities UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

30 A total of 78,109 students at 424 NYC sites (including schools and community centers) participated in our signature youth running programs, Mighty Milers and Young Runners. (Brooklyn: 128 sites, 25,808 kids; Bronx: 94 sites, 15,642 kids; Manhattan 102 sites, 12,946 kids; Queens: 86 sites, 20,400 kids; Staten Island: 14 sites, 3,313 kids). NYRR works in underserved neighborhoods; the majority of our programs go into schools where 50% or more of the student population is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. In the spring, NYRR partnered with the NYC Department of Education to hold 42 Developmental Track & Field Series presented by Tata Consultancy Services meets at venues throughout the five boroughs. The series culminated with a city-wide Championship at Icahn Stadium with 115 schools and 1,500 youth participating. NYRR delivers free professional development workshops for NYC schools and community centers in all five boroughs and has a suite of online youth running resources available to all. NYRR offers a free special assembly to NYC schools, presented by Olympic gold medal winner Derrick Adkins, who explains what it takes to have a winning attitude. This year, the assembly was held at 75 sites with 20,309 attendees. In September of 2014 NYRR launched the Youth Running Series, a threeseason race initiative designed just for kids with events throughout the school year focused on kid-friendly distances. NYRR offers free summer programming for youth, including a high school cross country program, a girls running and leadership program, and track and field clinics. NYRR offers 20+ free walking and wellness sessions every week, in senior centers, local parks, and neighborhood facilities throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. These one-hour sessions, led by certified running coaches and fitness instructors, focus on four areas that are critical for senior health and independence: strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. 29

31 NYRR HISTORY : In June of 1958, NYRR was founded as the Road Runners Club New York Association with about 40 members. The founder of the Road Runners Club of America, H. Browning Ross, encouraged the group, which met at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx and elected 1952 Olympic marathoner Ted Corbitt its first official president. Through the 1960s, NYRR remained a tight band of committed runners; there were about 250 members in 1970 when the group staged the first New York City Marathon in Central Park. 1970s: Marathon co-founder Fred Lebow took over as president in 1972 and helped lead the running boom that was sweeping the country. In 1976, spurred by Lebow s vision, NYRR took the marathon out of the park and into the streets of the city s five boroughs with a field of 2,090 runners. NYRR also launched the Fifth Avenue Mile, the Empire State Building Run-Up, the NYRR New York Mini 10K (the first all-women road race), and the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. In 1978, Lebow hired Allan Steinfeld to assist him in planning, organizing, and executing NYRR events. NYRR membership topped 31, s: Lebow and Steinfeld recruited the world s best athletes to headline races, including Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Alberto Salazar, Lasse Viren, Mary Decker Slaney, and Grete Waitz, who eventually won the New York City Marathon a record nine times. Leading the way in professionalizing running, NYRR was among the first groups to offer open prize money in races. 1990s: Along with success and popularity, the 1990s brought heartbreak to NYRR. In 1990, Lebow was diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought heroically, working with doctors at New York s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and inspiring cancer patients worldwide by running during chemotherapy. With his cancer in remission, Lebow produced perhaps the most poignant moment in NYRR history when he completed the 1992 New York City Marathon in 5:32:34 with Waitz by his side. On October 9, 1994, just four weeks before the 25th New York City Marathon, Lebow succumbed to the disease. Steinfeld took over as president and Marathon race director. 1998: Mary Wittenberg was hired as NYRR s first director of administration. An attorney and the winner of the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon, Wittenberg oversaw NYRR s business, administration, and operations UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K

32 2001: NYRR showed the world how running can heal and transform a shattered city and country when it staged the New York City Marathon in the wake of September 11. Held just two months after the attacks, the race unified the city and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for relief efforts. 2003: NYRR signed a multi-year deal with ING, one of the world s largest financial service companies, to be the first title sponsor of the New York City Marathon. The race promoted both organizations desire to improve the sport of running globally and their commitment to excellence and community. NYRR continued to grow membership reached 40,000 and to extend its services and influence locally, nationally, and internationally. 2005: Wittenberg was named Steinfeld s successor as president, CEO, and New York City Marathon race director. The first woman to hold these positions, Wittenberg oversaw NYRR s 160 full-time employees; more than 55 races annually; classes, clinics, and lectures in running and fitness; four websites; a quarterly magazine; and NYRR youth and community programs : In January, the New York City Marathon joined four other leading marathons Berlin, Boston, Chicago, and London to form the World Marathon Majors, a two-year series showcasing the sport s top athletes and awarding an unprecedented $1 million champions prize. (The group expanded to six with the addition of the Tokyo Marathon in 2013.) 2006: NYRR hosted the USA Cross Country Championships in the Bronx s Van Cortlandt Park and inaugurated the NYC Half, which starts in Central Park, continues through Times Square, and finishes in lower Manhattan. The inaugural race had some 10,000 finishers. 2007: NYRR hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials Men s Marathon, which determined the U.S. team for the 2008 Beijing Games. On a course comprised primarily of loops in Central Park, Ryan Hall broke the U.S. Olympic Trials record with his 2:09:03. The next day s New York City Marathon had 38,607 finishers, the most in any marathon to date. 2008: World record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain won her third New York City Marathon in as many tries. (continued) 31

33 NYRR HISTORY continued 2009: The 40th running of the New York City Marathon set an all-time marathon finisher record at 43,660 runners. The first of them was Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, CA, the first American to win the race in the 27 years since Alberto Salazar won his third title in : NYRR entered the social media realm with an array of Facebook fan pages and Twitter feeds. 2010: In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, NYRR and the Department of Parks & Recreation co-sponsored the four-mile Run for Haiti, which raised more than $430,000 for New York s Haiti Relief Fund; with 9,423 finishers, the race was the largest four-mile in history. 2010: NYRR launched Running Start, a free collection of online fitness videos developed by NYRR to help teach youth the fundamentals of running through age-appropriate games, activities, and drills. Created by expert youth coaches and exercise physiologists, Running Start is a video instructional guide for adults to teach youth to run safely, enjoyably, and effectively. 2011: NYRR introduced the Official NYRR New York City Marathon Training Program, a revolutionary online plan that is personalized based on a runner s experience, age, sex, race times, and current training, and that adapts as the training progresses. One-on-one e-coaching is available from NYRR s experts. More than 640 runners signed up within the first month after the program became available. The race s 47,340 finishers were another all-time marathon record. 2012: NYRR signed an historic five-year deal with ESPN/ABC7 for a comprehensive year-round national and local television package, the cornerstone of which is the New York City Marathon, which in 2013 was televised nationally for the first time in almost 20 years. 2012: For the first time in event history, the New York City Marathon was canceled. In the week before the race date, Hurricane Sandy had damaged much of the East Coast and left many New Yorkers without electricity and some without homes. Thousands of runners gathered in Central Park for informal marathons on November 4, and many assisted with recovery efforts in hard-hit areas like Staten Island and Coney Island. NYRR made a donation of $1 million and, together with its partners, a $1.2 million donation of New York City Marathon supplies to the Mayor s Fund for the Advancement of New York City, to be used for Sandy relief UAE HEALTHY KIDNEY 10K