BIG SUR HALF MARATHON ANNOUNCES ELITE RUNNERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Franca Gargiulo
415-922-2870
franca.gargiulo@att.net
BIG SUR HALF MARATHON ANNOUNCES ELITE RUNNERS
(November 12, 2004 - Carmel) -- Officials of the Big Sur Half Marathon announced the following
list of elite runners who will be competing in the inaugural event this weekend.
"We are extremely pleased at the high level of interest," remarked Greg Micek, a member of the Big Sur
Half Marathon Board of Directors who is responsible for the elite class of competitors. "We are very fortunate
to have such a talented pool of athletes and know that our event will be a wonderful showcase for this world class
group."
The competitors are as follows:
Female:
Linda Somers Smith - 1996 Olympian; ran a 2:37 marathon representing the USA in the World Championships in Paris
in June 2003 - our keynote speaker! Lives in San Luis Obispo.
Kristin Chisum -- She has finished 2nd in USA 15K Road Champs, has won USA 25K Road Champs. Has represented USA
at World Half Marathon Champs, World Cross Country Champs, and World University Games. She has been ranked as
high as third in the US at 10,000M on the track. Lives in Wayland, Mass.
Molly Friel - Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon - 2:47 at St George Marathon 2002. She lives in Tucson,
AZ.
Maria Trujillo - Outstanding Masters Runner - 2:46 at Twin Cities 2002 - Lives in Los Gatos.
Christine Kennedy - Outstanding Masters Runner. Won Berlin Marathon in 1989 in PR 2:35.05. Two-time winner of Dublin
Marathon. 3rd place finish in European Championships in Cross Country in 1989. Finished second two times at BSIM.
Lives in Los Altos.
Megan Flowers Skeels -- An 10-time All-American at University of Arkansas, best 5k=16.02, and 2x SEC Female Athlete
of the Year (SEC = Southeastern
Conference)
Her first Half marathon.
Male:
Ryan Bak - Member of Team USA, Monterey Bay - 4:01 miler, Division III Athlete of the Year in 2003; 14:00 for 5,000
meters. First attempt at Half marathon.
Fasil Bizuneh - Member of Team USA, Monterey Bay. Recent graduate of Arizona State University. Has run 28:38 for
10,000 meters. First attempt at Half Marathon.
Christian Hesch - Excellent local runner - 4th Overall at Heritage Banks 10k, Sep 2003 in 29:45 - lives in Morro
Bay, CA.
Aaron Sharp - 23 yrs old - First Half Marathon - PR 29:51 10k - lives in Port Hueneme, CA.
(continued)
Kenyans: (3) total - all from Palo Alto, CA
(1) John Weru - winner of Lake Tahoe Marathon 2003 -2:35 at altitude
(2) Patrick Kamau - winner of San Francisco Marathon 2003 - 2:35
(3) Wilson Gatiha - winner of -- 2:26 marathon
Danny Gonzales - #1 Masters Runner in the Bay Area - former 2:13 runner - lives in San Jose. Qualified for Olympic
Trials in the marathon in 1988, 1992 and 1996. Member of USA Half Marathon team in 1994; PR of 1:03.21 in the Half.
Dennis Rinde - Excellent Bay Area Masters Runner, former 2:11 marathoner - Won the Masters Division (time of 2:31)
of the Cal Int’l Marathon in 2002 at age 43; lives in Half Moon Bay, CA
Justin Patananan - 3rd place finish at the Long Beach Half Marathon 2003 in 1:10.51. Lives in Palmdale, CA.
For more information, contact the Big Sur Half Marathon office at 831-625-6226 or the website at www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org.
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