Abdi Abdirahman Leads Quartet for New York Marathon

Abdi Abdirahman Leads a Quartet of Top American Men
Joining the Field for the ING New York City Marathon 2005

NEW YORK - Abdi Abdirahman, the national record holder at 20K, leads three other American men - Ryan Shay, Matt Downin and Peter Gilmore - as the latest additions to the field for the ING New York City Marathon 2005, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.

The four athletes join previously announced Meb Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and ING New York City Marathon 2004 runner-up, to make up one of the strongest American fields in recent years. The runners will be put to a stern test against a stellar lineup featuring world record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya, defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa and reigning two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco.

The announcement was made just days before Shay and Downin were scheduled to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships Half-Marathon on Saturday, October 1, in Edmonton, Canada.

Abdirahman, 28, of Tucson, Ariz., made his marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2004, placing 14th in 2:17:09. A five-time World Cross Country team member, Abdirahman is also a two-time Olympian at 10,000 meters. He has had perhaps his greatest season to date in 2005, with a runner-up finish at the USA 8K Championship in March, a win at the USA 10 Mile Championship in April, a 10,000 meter national title (28:10.38) in June and an American record-setting run at the USA 20K Championship (58:42) earlier this month.

"Abdi has all the talent in the world and has just scratched the surface of what he can do over the marathon distance," said Wittenberg. "Watch for him as the dark horse in this year's field."

Shay, 26, of East Jordan, Mich., became only the sixth American man since 1993 to break into the top 10 with an impressive ninth place finish (2:14:08) at the ING New York City Marathon 2004. In 2005, the Team Running USA athlete has sustained his reputation as the most consistent presence on the American distance running scene, winning the USA 15K Championship and capturing fourth place at the USA 8K Championship, 11th place at the BAA Boston Marathon and the runner-up spot at the USA 20K Championship.

Downin, 28, of Norwood, N.J., was the top American finisher in the ING New York City Marathon 2003 with his 17th place finish (2:18.48); he ran 2:18:50 in 2004 to place 16th. Enjoying one of his best-ever seasons in 2005, Downin finished third in the USA Track & Field Championships at 10,000 meters and fourth in the USA 20K Championship.

Gilmore, 28, of San Mateo, Calif., ran a breakthrough race at the 2005 BAA Boston Marathon in April, finishing 10th, and represented the United States at the IAAF World Championships Marathon in August.

"Last year, both Meb and Ryan cracked the top 10 here," said Wittenberg. "With this group of men in the field, there is no reason why we should not expect to have more Americans break into the top 10 this year."

The ING New York City Marathon 2005 will be run on Sunday, November 6.

source RunningUSA