FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abdirahman, Lewy Boulet Lead Strong Line-Up of
American Standouts in the ING New York City Marathon 2008
Lehmkuhle, Carney, Rohatinsky and McGregor also on the home "team"
in the 39th running of the five-borough classic
NEW YORK - (September 30, 2008) - Three-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon runner-up Magdalena Lewy
Boulet lead a strong line-up of American standouts in the ING New York City
Marathon 2008 on Sunday, November 2, it was announced by New York Road
Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.
Jason Lehmkuhle, James Carney and Josh Rohatinsky, all of whom competed in
the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon in Central Park last
year, were also announced, along with four-time USA champion and former
NCAA cross country champion Katie McGregor. U.S. Olympian and IAAF World
Championships 10,000 meter bronze medalist Kara Goucher was previously
announced; she will be making her marathon debut.
"It's a star-spangled banner group of top Americans running New York this
year," said Wittenberg. "They come to New York believing in themselves and
knowing they belong on our biggest stage in marathon running. Abdi,
Magdalena, Katie, Jason, James and Josh join Kara to make our most
formidable team of Americans in years, with each a factor in his or her own
right."
Abdirahman, 31, of Tucson, AZ, will be making his third appearance in New
York after finishing 14th in his marathon debut in 2004 and fifth in 2005.
A four-time USA champion at 10,000 meters, he qualified for his third
Olympic team by winning the 10,000 meters at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials -
Track & Field, and finished 15th in the event (27:52.53) at the Beijing
Olympic Games.
"Everybody knows that New York is the race to run in the fall," said
Abdirahman. "I know the competition will be really tough, but I'm going
there to try to win it. That's how I always run."
Lewy Boulet, 35, of Oakland, CA, broke away from the field early and led
for much of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon in Boston this
past April before finishing second in 2 hours, 30 minutes, 19 seconds to
make her first Olympic squad. She dropped out of the Olympic Games marathon
in Beijing due to a knee injury sustained in the days leading up to the
race. Lewy Boulet will be making her third appearance at the ING New York
City Marathon after finishing 15th in 2006 in 2:42:38.
"I'm really excited to run this year's ING New York City Marathon," said
Lewy Boulet. "After the disappointment of my injury in Beijing, I'm eager
to get back out and prove myself against the world's best marathoners, and
New York always has a stellar field. The city has always had a special
place in my heart, and this race has gotten the best of me in the past. But
I'm determined to run a great race this time."
McGregor, 31, of St. Louis Park, MN, made her marathon debut in the ING New
York City Marathon 2006 and will be making her second marathon appearance
on the streets of New York. She has finished fourth in the 10,000 meters in
two Olympic Trials (2004, 2008), missing a spot on the team. McGregor
finished runner-up at this past weekend's USA Women's 8K Championship in
Akron, OH.
Lehmkuhle, 31, of Minneapolis, MN, finished fifth in the U.S. Olympic
Marathon Trials last November and will represent the United States at the
IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, which will be held in Brazil on
October 12.
Carney, 30, of Boulder, CO, set a personal best of 2:16:54 in the U.S.
Olympic Marathon Trials. He is the 2008 USA champion at 20K and the
half-marathon.
Rohatinsky, 26, of Portland, OR, was the top marathon rookie at the 2008
U.S. Olympic Team Trials, finishing ninth in 2:15:22. The 2006 NCAA cross
country champion placed fifth in the U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 meters.
For more information on the 39th edition, visit: INGnycmarathon.org
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