FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emmanuel Mutai and Liliya Shobukhova
Claim Titles of 2010-2011 World Marathon Majors Series
NEW YORK CITY, November 7, 2011 - Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya and Liliya
Shobukhova of Russia have been crowned champions of the 2010–2011 World
Marathon Majors series, and both were presented $500,000 USD for their
respective accomplishments today in New York City.
Emmanuel Mutai accumulated 70 points over the two-year series with a win at
the 2011 Virgin London Marathon and three runner-up performances (ING New
York City Marathon in 2010 and 2011; Virgin London Marathon in 2010). The
men's title came down to the final miles in the final event of the series -
yesterday's ING New York City Marathon - as Emmanuel Mutai needed points
from either a first or second place performance at yesterday's race when it
became clear Geoffrey Mutai (no relation) would win the race. He was
second.
"The World Marathon Majors are the best events and have the strongest
fields," said Emmanuel Mutai. "The series includes races over a two-year
period, and to earn the most points over that time and win the series is
very difficult so I am proud of my achievement. I came to New York [this
weekend] in the lead for the series, knowing that I needed to be at least
among the top 3. When I realized that I would be second in the race, I knew
this meant that I had won in the final standings. Yes, I was very much
thinking about the World Marathon Majors during the race."
Shobukhova secured the women's title in October when she won the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon and set an insurmountable 30-point lead in the
standings. She finished the series with 90 points, also having posted
victories at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2010 and the Virgin
London Marathon in 2010. She was runner-up at the Virgin London Marathon
earlier this year. Shobukhova also won the 2009–2010 World Marathon Majors
series.
"I want to thank the World Marathon Majors for its great idea to raise
awareness of the sport and its top athletes," said Shobukova. "The series
has helped both to identify talented runners and to place attention on
marathon running. I don't think I would have achieved such heights in
marathoning without the series, even after many years in the sport. Also,
the World Marathon Majors has helped the best marathoners to focus on the
best events, which adds to the competition and which surely will help
anyone in their preparation for the Olympics."
The World Marathon Majors series point structure:
1st place: 25 points; 2nd place: 15 points; 3rd place: 10 points;
4th place: 5 points; 5th place: 1 point.
The events comprising the World Marathon Majors are the B.A.A. Boston
Marathon, the Virgin London Marathon, the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York City Marathon. In years in
which the IAAF World Championships or Olympic Games are contested, the
marathons from those events also may count towards scoring in the series.
World Marathon Majors series winners
Series Men Women
2010–2011 Emmanuel Mutai, Kenya Liliya Shobukhova, Russia
2009–2010 Sammy Wanjiru, Kenya Liliya Shobukhova, Russia
2008–2009 Sammy Wanjiru, Kenya Irina Mikitenko, Germany
2007–2008 Martin Lel, Kenya Irina Mikitenko, Germany
2006–2007 Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenya Gete Wami, Ethiopia
2010–2011 Series:
MEN
- 1.) Emmanuel Mutai, KEN, 70 points
- 2.) Geoffrey Mutai, KEN, 65 points
- 3.) Patrick Makau, KEN, 60 points
- 4.) Tsegaye Kebede, ETH, 51 points
- 5t.) Gebre Gebremariam, ETH, 40 points
- 5t.) Moses Mosop, KEN, 40 points
WOMEN
- 1.) Liliya Shobukhova, RUS, 90 points
- 2.) Edna Kiplagat, KEN, 60 points
- 3.) Mary Keitany, KEN, 45 points
- 4.) Bezunesh Bekele, ETH, 30 points
- 5t.) Firehiwot Dado, ETH, 25 points
- 5t.) Teyba Erkesso, ETH, 25 points
- 5t.) Aberu Kebede, ETH, 25 points
- 5t.) Caroline Kilel, KEN, 25 points
- 5t.) Florence Kiplagat, KEN, 25 points
###
|
