FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women's Field, At Quad Cities Marathon, Highlighted
By Ethiopian, Three Russians
MOLINE, IL - One Ethiopian and three Russians highlight the elite runner
field in the women's division of the 13th Annual THE Quad Cities Marathon,
presented by THE National Bank. A total of 10 elite athletes have
confirmed for the women's race, which is scheduled for Sept. 26th with a
start/finish line at John Deere Commons in downtown Moline.
The top seed time belongs to Aimaz Megersa (Ethiopia) who ran 2:29:51 at
the 2008 Paris Marathon, which placed seventh.
Two Russians should contend for top honors in the open division, while
another could contend for a win in the master's division. Ekaternia Fateeva
clocked a 2:38:12 in the 2009 LaRochelle, France, Marathon. She also ran
2:51:30 to place second in the 2009 Monoco International Marathon. Irina
Mashkantseva owns a 2:38:58 best from her win at the 2009 Zagred, Croatia,
Marathon. In the master's field, Elena Orlova is the favorite and is coming
off a 2:47:26 win in this year's open division at the Bermuda Marathon.
Rael Murey (Kenya) returns to the Quad Cities this year. She was third at
the 2010 Deseret Morning News Marathon in 2:58:26. Murey placed sixth in
the 2008 QCM. Gail Brooks (Waco, TX) has the top American seed time. She
clocked a 2:59:38 to place 17th at this year's Houston Marathon. Michelle
Didion (LaPorte, IN) returns to the QCM this year. Didion has won the past
two master's division titles at Quad Cities, running 3:00:02 last year and
3:01:48 in 2008.
Others in the elite marathon field include: Laurie Cass (Plymouth, MA) who
ran 3:01:38 at the 2010 Boston Marathon; Holly Fearing (Madison, WI) who
ran 3:06:11 to place third at this year's Illinois Marathon; and Grace
Kimani (Kenya) who ran a 1:19:29 to place fourth in this year's Bay Shore
Half Marathon.
Buzunesh Deba (Ethiopia) won her debut marathon at Quad Cities last year in
2:44:24, but will not return to defend her title. She has since lowered her
marathon time to 2:31:36 with her win at this year's Grandma's Marathon.
2008 QCM winner Nadezhda Tuptova (Russia) was entered in this year's race,
but has withdrawn due to injury.
The course record in the women's division belongs to Halina Karnatsevich
(Belarus) when she ran 2:36:26 in 2004.
The QCM KJWW Half Marathon features two top women's division elites: Krista
Vrombaut (Rock Island, IL), the winner of this year's National Marathon in
Washington, DC (2:51:17) and Angela Kidd (Naperville, IL), who ran 1:26:21
at last year's Country Music Half Marathon.
The QCM elite men's field will be announced in a press release in the near
future.
PAST WINNER'S OF THE QCM WOMEN'S OPEN DIVISION:
2009, Buzunesh Deba, Ethiopia, 2:44:24
2008, Nadezhda Tuptova, Russia, 2:43:13
2007, Irene Mogaka, Kenya, 2:45:42
2006, Anne Jelagat, Kenya, 2:41:32
2005, Valentyna Poltavska, Ukraine, 2:45:35
2004, Halina Karnatsevich, Belarus, 2:36:26 (COURSE RECORD)
2003, Alena Vinitskaya, Belarus, 2:44:48
2002, Alena Vinitskaya, Belarus, 2:45:48
2001, Cindy Keeler, Clermont, FL, 2:49:00
2000, Jeanne DeBonis, Brecksville, OH, 2:50:14
1999, Christy Nielson, Council Bluffs, NE, 2:56:31
1998, Mary Burns-Prine, San Diego, CA, 3:00:32
PAST WINNER'S OF THE QCM WOMEN'S MASTER'S DIVISION:
2009, Michelle Didion, Laporte, IN, 3:00:02
2008, Michelle Didion, Laporte, IN, 3:01:48
2007, Lori Jarrett, Dixon, IL, 3:13:43
2006, Elena Shemyakina, Geneva, IL, 3:15:32
2005, Kelley Timmerman, Geneseo, IL, 3:14:59
2004, Beverly Owen, Smithville, MO, 2:51:15
2003, Kathy Waldron, Green Bay, WI, 3:03:32
2002, Cindy Keeler, Clermont, FL, 2:46:32 (COURSE RECORD)
2001, Cindy Keeler, Clermont, FL, 2:49:00
2000, Mary Burns-Prine, San Diego, CA, 2:55:33
1999, Mary Burns-Prine, San Diego, CA, 3:10:00
1998, Mary Burns-Prine, San Diego, CA, 3:00:32
TOP 10 TIMES IN RACE HISTORY AT QCM - WOMEN'S DIVISION:
1. Halina Karnatsevich, Belarus, 2:36:26 (2004)
2. Valentyna Poltavska, Ukraine, 2:39:34 (2004)
3. Anne Jelagat, Kenya, 2:41:32 (2006)
4. Nadezhda Tuptova, Russia, 2:43:13 (2008)
5. Buzunesh Deba, Ethiopia, 2:44:22 (2009)
6. Alena Vinitskaya, Belarus, 2:44:48 (2003)
7. Meseret Kotu, Ethiopia, 2:45:10 (2008)
8. Serkalem Abrha, Ethiopia, 2:45:25 (2008)
9. Alena Vinitskaya, Belarus, 2:45:27 (2006)
10. Valentyna Poltavska, Ukraine, 2:45:35 (2005)
HALF MARATHON - WOMEN'S COURSE RECORD:
Bethany Lewis, Iowa City, IA, 1:23:35 (2005)
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