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Mar-22-2007
Loken Looks for Three-Peat at More Magazine Marathon
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Reigning U.S. masters marathon champion, Susan Loken, will be on the starting line of Sunday's More Magazine Marathon in an attempt to win here for the third time in a row. This will be the fourth annual running of the only marathon exclusively for women over 40.
Loken, 43, set the event record of 2 hours, 45 minutes, 35 seconds in her first appearance in 2005; the time remains the fastest-ever for a marathon run by a woman entirely in Central Park. A mother of three, Loken did not start running seriously until she was 39.
"I am very excited to come back to New York and run the More Magazine Marathon," said Loken in a prepared statement. "This event has given me some great memories, and I'm proud to serve as an example to women my age that we can still compete at such a high level."
The event also features a half-marathon in which teams of two women, one of whom must be over 40, compete together. Leading this year's field is the team of Lyubov Denisova, 35, a Russian who lives in Gainesville, Fla., and Trina Painter, 40, of Flagstaff, Ariz. Denisova is the 2006 Honolulu Marathon champion and has finished in the top three at the ING New York City Marathon twice. Painter is just beginning her comeback as a competitive runner. She is the former U.S. record holder for 20K (1:07:07) and was the U.S. champion at that distance in 1995. In January, she won the U.S.
masters title for the half-marathon in Houston.
"Being over 40 is now a reason for women to celebrate, and what better way than being part of the exclusive More Magazine Marathon-the only marathon in the world limited to women over 40," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners and race director of ING New York City Marathon.
"It's a work-hard party for women who are strong and want to feel good about life."
More than 6,000 women are expected to gather in Central Park for the races, which are sponsored by Speaking of Women's Health, St. Joseph's Aspirin, Florida Department of Citrus, California Raisins, and media partner WPLJ. A $14,000 total prize purse is on offer, with $2,000 going to the marathon winner, plus the opportunity to earn time bonuses. Registration remains open until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and the race begins at 8:00 am Sunday on Central Park's East Drive at 70th Street.
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