Monday, September 03, 2007

Top runners added to field, look to contend for win

Three top elite runners have joined the field for the 2007 Quad Cities Marathon, presented by THE National Bank. Poland's Maciek Miereczko has been added to the men's field and may challenge defending champ Jynocel Basweti (Kenya). On the women's side a pair of runners with 2:41 PR's have recently confirmed their participation: Russia's Larisa Mikhaylova and Kenya's Irene Mogaka. The open field now has 10 men and six women committed.

Miereczko placed third in last year's Austin (TX) Marathon in 2:14:16. He was 18th at this year's Houston (TX) Marathon in 2:21:42. Mikhaylova posted a 2:41:43 en route to a 2nd-place at the 2006 Philadelphia Marathon; her best time this year is a 2:47:32, 2nd-place, at Green Bay (WI) Marathon. Mogaka is making her USA debut in the Quad Cities; she ran a personal best 2:41 earlier this year at the Mumbai Marathon. Mogaka also has one win this year, a 2:48 at the Safaricom Marathon.

Also joining the field: Russ Boore (Hampton, IL) has been added to the men's master's field. He won the 2005 master's title at the QCM in 2:38:47. Bethany Lewis (Iowa City, IA) will race in the open women's event. She set the course record en route to a win at the 2005 QCM Half Marathon in 1:23:35. Jason Bodnar (North Carolina) has also confirmed his participation. Bodnar qualified for the 2000 US Olympic Trials and ran for Team USA in cross country. Leteyesus Berhe (Ethiopia) is the sixth woman to join the open field. Berhe placed 2nd in last year's Memphis Marathon (2:42:01).

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2007 QCM ELITE FIELD TO DATE, as of 9/10/07:
MEN-OPEN
Jynocel Basweti, Kenya: defending QC champ, won at Austin in 2:14:02 this year
Maciek Miereczko, Poland: 3rd at Austin in 2006 - 2:14:16
Paul Rugut, Kenya: 2005 QC champ in 2:20:27
Genna Tufa, Ethiopia: 1st at '07 Va. Beach (2:20:36)/Tampa (2:21:44) marathons
Brendon Moody, Ohio: 2:23:44 at Houston this year
Phillip Kipchumba, Kenya: 4th at 2006 QCM
Brian Grudowski, Illinois: 2:26 PR
Joe Moore, Kansas: 31:00 1ok
Rikki Hacker, Missouri: 31:03 10k
Jason Bodnar, North Carolina: 2:21 PR, former Team USA XC runner

MEN-MASTER'S
Russ Boore, Illinois: 2005 QCM Master's champ, 2:38:47

WOMEN-OPEN
Larisa Mikhaylova, Russia: 2:41 PR
Irene Mogaka, Kenya: 2:41 PR
Leteyesus Berhe, Ethiopia: 2:42:01 at 2006 Memphis (2nd)
Lisa Butler, Oklahoma: 2:54 PR
Machelle Cochran, Texas: 2:52 PR
Bethany Lewis, Iowa: 1st at 2005 QCM half marathon (1:23:35, CR)

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