Former Tulane Standout, Paul Added to Field

Solomon Kandie, Kenya, added his verbal committment to the 2006 QCM. Kandie placed third at the NCAA Steeplechase (8:31) during his track career at Tulane, he was a former Conference USA Champion. He owns a 64-minute 1/2-marathon PR and ran a 2:24 in his lone marathon performance, a second-place in the 2004 Orange County Marathon.

Jennifer Paul, of Rock Island, IL, also joined the elite field. She will be making her marathon debut this fall at the QCM. The former Augustana standout won the 2004 QCM 1/2-marathon in 1:27, she was third in the 2005 QCM 1/2-marathon at 1:26. Paul is the first local runner to be added to this year's elite field.

VERBAL COMMITMENTS AS OF 8-23-06:

WOMEN (6):
Alena Vinitskaya, Belarus (2002 & 2003 Champion)
Valentyna Poltavska, Ukraine (2005 Champion)
Sarah Plaxton, Highland, MI (3rd 2004 & 3rd 2005)
Katerina Stetsenko, Russia (Newcomer)
Tracy Stewart, Golden, CO (Newcomer)
Jennifer Paul, Rock Island, IL (Newcomer)

MEN (6):
Sergey Nochevny, Russia (2003 Champion, Course Record Holder)
Dzmitry Sivou, Belarus (2nd 2004 & 3rd 2003)
Vyacheslav Rodionov, Russia (3rd 2005)
Vince Temu, Kenya (2nd 2002 & 5th 2003)
Jonathan Ndambuki, Kenya (6th 2006)
Solomon Kandie, Kenya (Newcomer)

* Note: Top runners are encouraged to contact the Elite Coordinator at ifrink@crawfordsheetmetal.com. Elite field consideration will be given to men capable of running at or below 2:40 and women at or below 3:10.