|
Bob Kennedy, America's King of the Track, to Make His Marathon
Debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2004
NEW YORK - Ending years of speculation, Bob Kennedy, two-time
Olympian and the American record-holder at 3000 and 5000 meters,
has entered the ING New York City Marathon 2004 on Sunday,
November 7. New York Road Runners president and CEO Allan
Steinfeld made the announcement with Kennedy at a luncheon
today at the New York Athletic Club.
Kennedy will bring years of world-class running experience
to the line in New York as he makes his long-anticipated marathon
debut. He joins 2004 Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor as the
second official entrant in this year's professional athlete
field.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bob to New York," said
Steinfeld, also the ING New York City Marathon race director.
"We are eager to see him bring the same guts, speed,
and tenacity that have made him a success in cross country
and on the track to the marathon distance, and what better
place to do it than here in New York."
Twice an Olympian at 5000 meters, Kennedy finished 12th in
Barcelona in 1992 and sixth in Atlanta in 1996. In the Atlanta
race, he thrilled the home crowd when he briefly took the
lead midway. Kennedy was seventh in the 1995 World Championships
at 5000 meters and sixth in the 1997 World Championships.
Kennedy, 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is arguably the best
American distance runner ever with American records of 7:30.84
for 3000 meters and 12:58.21 for 5000 meters. He is the only
American to ever break 13 minutes for 5000 meters, and has
won the 5000 meter national title four times. Though he has
been plagued by injury and illness in recent years, he has
recently returned to form and is the reigning USA 10K road
(28:35) and USA Cross Country 12K (35:03) titlist.
Kennedy's marathon potential and the timing of his debut
have been subjects of intense interest and speculation. Today,
flanked by Marcus O'Sullivan, his longtime running adviser
and the head cross country and track coach at Villanova University,
Kennedy announced that the time is finally right.
"I've thought about the marathon for some time, but
have not felt as though the time was right for this new challenge
until now," said Kennedy. "It's an honor to have
the opportunity to take this next step in my athletic career
at one of the world's greatest footraces, the ING New York
City Marathon."
About the ING New York City Marathon The ING New York City
Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR).
Inaugurated in 1970 with 127 entrants, the ING New York City
Marathon has grown into the world's premier road race, featuring
35,000 participants, more than two million spectators, a leading
professional field, and a guaranteed prize purse of more than
$500,000. Broadcast across the nation and in 125 countries
worldwide, the 26.2-mile footrace is the United States' most
watched one-day sporting event. The ING New York City Marathon
joins the USA Men's 8K Championships and the Circle of Friends
New York Mini 10K as the cornerstones of the NYRR Professional
Racing Series and continues NYRR's tradition of bringing the
very best runners in the world to New York City. For more
information visit: www.ingnycmarathon.org
About New York Road Runners Founded in 1958 with a membership
of 47, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is one of the world's
foremost running organizations. NYRR is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to promoting the sport of running and walking for
health, recreation, and competition, and provides full professional
services related to all aspects of racing. The organization
has a full-time staff of more than 60 employees, supplemented
by a network of thousands of volunteers, serving 40,000 members
from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries.
source Running USA wire
|
Time-to-Run News section
