Basweti to defend title, has 8th best time on U.S. soil this year

Kenyan Jynocel Basweti will defend his title at the 2007 Quad Cities Marathon, presented by THE National Bank. The 20-year-old is an up and coming marathoner. He cruised to a course-record 2:16:36 to win the 2006 QCM.

Earlier this year, Basweti ran to an impressive 2:14:02 finish and victory at the Austin (TX) Marathon. The time ranks as the 8th fastest marathon on U.S. soil this year and is the 3rd best winning time of any marathon in the U.S. in 2007. He won the Austin race by 2:43 and dropped a 4:56 in the 20th mile to pull away from the field. His Austin effort was 11-seconds better than the winning time at this year's Boston Marathon. Basweti averaged 5:07's at the Austin race.

Basweti's 2006 effort at the QCM ranked as the 17th fastest winning time of any marathon in the U.S. last year.

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FASTEST MARATHONS ON U.S. SOIL IN 2007 - as of 8/24/07:

1. 2:09:04, Daniel Yego, Rock 'n' Roll
2. 2:10:58, Christopher Cheboiboch, Rock 'n' Roll
3. 2:11:39, Feyisa Tusse, Houston
4. 2:12:00, Sylvester Chebii, Rock 'n' Roll
5. 2:12:10, Joseph Chirlee, Rock 'n' Roll
6. 2:13:56, Mikhail Khobotov, Houston
7. 2:14:00, Fred Mogaka, Rock 'n' Roll
8. 2:14:02, JYNOCEL BASWETI, AUSTIN
9. 2:14:03, Benson Cheruiyot, Houston
10. 2:14:12, Nicodemus Malakwen, Houston
11. 2:14:13, Robert Cheruiyot, Boston

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2007 QCM ELITE FIELD TO DATE:
MEN
Jynocel Basweti, Kenya: defending QC champ, won at Austin in 2:14:02 this year
Paul Rugut, Kenya: 2005 QC champ in 2:20:27
Genna Tufa, Ethiopia: winner of Va. Beach (2:20:36) and Tampa (2:21:44) marathons this year
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
WOMEN
Larisa Mikhaylova, Russia: 2:41 PR
Lisa Butler, Oklahoma: 2:54 PR
Machelle Cochran, Texas: 2:52 PR

* Other commitments pending, based on Visa approvals:
Men - Maciek Miereczko, Poland; Shurkhno Yevgen, Russia; Dzmitry Sivou, Belarus.
Women - Elena Eugorova, Russia.

Rugut, Tufa highlight early commitments for 2007

Kenyan Paul Rugut (top photo) and Ethiopian Genna Tufa (#100) highlight the early commitments for the 2007 Quad Cities Marathon, presented by THE National Bank.

Tufa has two wins this year, at the Shamrock-Va. Beach Marathon (2:20:36) and at the Tampa Bank of America Marathon (2:21:44). Rugut ran to victory at the 2005 QCM in 2:20:27, running the third fastest time in race history. A number of other top elites are awaiting approval of VISA's and/or travel arrangements.

Phillip Kipchumba (Kenya) placed 4th at last year's QCM in 2:25:41. Brendon Moody (Ohio) ran a 2:23:44 at this year's Houston Marathon and is another top contender in the field.

The elite list, as of 8-16-07 includes:
MEN
Genna Tufa (Ethiopia)
Paul Rugut (Kenya)
Phillip Kipchumba (Kenya)
Brendon Moody (Ohio)
Brian Grudowski (Illinois)
Joe Moore (Kansas)
Rikki Hacker (Missouri)
Edmond Chopa (Colorado)

WOMEN
Lisa Butler (Oklahoma)
Machelle Cochran (Texas)