FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lagat, Tefera Highlight QCM Men's Returners;
Numerous Challengers to Contend
MOLINE, IL - Philip Lagat (Kenya) and Demesse Tefera (Ethiopia), along with
last year's 3rd- and 4th-place finishers are all preparing for a battle in
the 2013 Quad Cities Men's Marathon, presented by THE National Bank. Lagat
won last year's race in 2:19:41, just four seconds ahead of Tefera in the
closest finish in QCM history. Edward Tabut (Kenya) and Abraham Rutto
(Kenya) also return after notching 3rd/2:20:38 and 4th/2:21:14,
respectively. The four runners will be challenged by a solid field that
features a total of 12 runners with sub-2:20 seed times. The race is set
for Sun. Sept. 22nd, with a start/finish in downtown Moline.
Lagat made his marathon debut memorable with his win at the 2012 QCM, using
a late surge to hold off Tefera. He also placed 3rd at the 2012 Columbus
Marathon in 2:22:28. Tefera's PR is a 2:18:33 from a 5th place at the 2011
Pittsburgh Marathon. Tabut has lowered his PR in 2013 with a 2:17:05/5th at
Donna, while Rutto ran an impressive 2:14:32 at the 2013 Grandma's for
11th.
The men's marathon course record is 2:16:29, set in 2010 by Leonard
Mucheru.
Benjamin Metto (Kenya) boasts the top seed time from his 2:13:45 at the
2012 Grandma's/4th. Tariku Bokan (Ethiopia) owns a 2:15:20 seed time from
2012 at Pittsburgh/4th. Girma Bedada (Ethiopia) ran a 2:16:07 to place 3rd
at the 2013 Geneva Marathon.
Kiplangat Terer (Kenya) won this year's Cleveland Marathon in 2:17:37.
Robert Wambua (Kenya) ran 2:17:45 for 8th at the 2012 Twin Cities.
Mario Macias (Mexico), 6th last yeat at the QCM, lowered his best to
2:18:48 at this year's Mercedes Marathon for a win. John Ekulan is the
master's favorite with a 2:18 from last year's Quadalahara race. Mark
Chepses (Kenya) rounds out the sub 2:20 seeded runners at 2:19:45
(2013/Little Rock/1st). Chepses was 3rd at the 2010 QCM.
The remaining elite runners in the men's field include: Cyrus Metto
(Kenya), Julius Choge (Kenya), Teresa Bayisa Fekensa (Ethiopia), Scot
Mullins (Terre Haute, IN), Jared Rothlauf (Palatine, IL), Chad Sellers
(Johnston, IA), Andrew Jacob (Lincoln, NE), and John Piggott (Williamsburg,
VA). Piggott is the defending master's champ at the QCM. Last year he ran
2:43:30 for the win. His recent best is 2:37:26.
KREMSKE TOP RETURNER IN RUHL & RUHL HALF; BIWOTT, KANDIE, AND SANG TO
CHALLENGE
Four runners have sub 1:07 seed times in this year's Ruhl & Ruhl Half
Marathon.
Dan Kremske (Woodstock, IL) is the top returner. The former University of
Illinois runner placed 2nd last year in 1:06:24, just off of the course
record set by last year's winner Robert Wambua in 1:05:03.
Boniface Biwott (Kenya) owns the top seed time in the field. He ran 1:04:13
at the 2013 Woodlands race. Biwott owns a lifetime best of 1:02:02 from
2008. Richard Kandie (Kenya) has a 20k seed time at 1:05:58, while Elly
Sang ran 1:06:33 earlier this year.
Arturs Bareikis (Crestwood, IL) at 1:08:40 and Matt Barrett (Monroe, WI) at
1:09:28 round out the sub 1:10 seeded runners. Former Iowa State University
runner, and local standout, Charlie Paul (Le Claire, IA) will be making his
half marathon debut. Paul ran a 30:11 10k for the Cyclones and clocked a
36:01 at this year's QC Times Bix 7.
Other elites in the field include: Marco Alfaro (Oak Park, IL), Festus
Kigen (Kenya), Ronald Lavaire (Urbana, IL), Jeff Paul (Le Claire, IA),
Michael Rathje (Lincoln, NE), Edwin Some (Kenya), Tyler Sullivan (Iowa
City, IA), Brad Theyerl (Fond du Lac, WI), and Roy Witty (Oak Park, IL).
Two master's runners are entered as elites: Brett Stephenson (Cedar Rapids,
IA) and Pete Mathis (Orland Park, IL).
###
|
