FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Deep Men's Fields Expected for 2015 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh
Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half
Two-time Marathon champion James Kirwa returns for hat trick; 7th edition
on Sunday, May 3 offers a $132,000 prize purse, including U.S. bonuses
totaling $40,500
(PITTSBURGH, PA) - Deep fields are expected in the men's race for both the
DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and the UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh Half Marathon on Sunday, May 3. The 7th edition features a
guaranteed $132,000 prize purse, including American Development Program
(ADP) bonuses totaling $40,500.
"Led by past race champions James Kirwa and Julius Kogo, the men in this
year's race bring plenty of speed and experience, and the City of Champions
could be treated to some fast performances as well as new event records,"
said Patrice Matamoros, CEO of Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc.
(P3R).
The 2012-13 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon champion James Kirwa,
31 on race day, returns eyeing a third title and the accompanying $8000
purse after dropping out of the 2014 event. He will face tough competition
from Eritrean Mulue Andom Berhe (personal best of 2:11:03) and Ethiopians
Negash Abebe Duki (2:11:14 PR) and Chala Lemi Demie (2:08:49 PR, fastest in
the field).
Leading the American men this year, Tyler McCandless, 28, aims for a win in
Pittsburgh and to achieve the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials 'A'
Standard of 2:15:00.
In the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, Kenyan Geoffrey Ngetich
with a personal best of 1:00:01 and Ethiopian Tesfaye Girma Bekele with a
PR of 1:00:35 lead a deep field of athletes competing for the $6500
champion's prize. Joining the talented pair will be the 2014 New York Road
Runner Male Athlete of the Year Yonas Mebrahtu and 2012-13 UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh Half Marathon champion Julius Kogo.
Top Americans competing this year in the 13.1 mile race include Jordan
Chipangama, who has a 1:03:22 personal best, Jeff Weiss, who has a 1:04:40
PR, and Christian Thompson, who was the top U.S. finisher in last year's
UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, clocking 1:05:55.
For more information about the 2015 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh
Marathon weekend of events, visit: www.PittsburghMarathon.com
MEN'S MARATHON
Name, Country, Affiliation, Personal Best
Chala Lemi Demie, ETH, Unattached, 2:08:49
Mulue Andom Berhe, ERI, Nike, 2:11:03
Negash Abebe Duki, ETH, WSX, 2:11:14
Jonathan Kibet, KEN, Extremus, 2:11:38
Werkuhah Aboye, ETH, WSX, 2:11:47
Tariku Abosete Bokan, ETH, WSX, 2:12:23
James Kirwa, KEN, Unattached, 2:12:54
John Thuo, KEN, Extremus, 2:14:10
Shadrack Kipkogey, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 2:14:19
Tyler McCandless, USA, Newton, 2:15:26
Christopher Estwanik, BER, Mid Atlantic AC, 2:19:55
Nik Schweikert, USA, Newton, 2:24:12
Tyler Sewald, USA, Boulder Track Club, 2:25:00
Hugh Toland, USA, New Balance, 2:31:16
Ben Kampf, USA, Unattached, 2:34:00
Tyler Chacra, CAN, HOKA ONE ONE, 2:34:00
MEN'S HALF MARATHON
Name, Country, Affiliation, Personal Best
Geoffrey Ngetich, KEN, Unattached, 1:00:01
Tesfaye Girma Bekele, ETH, WSX, 1:00:35
Yonas Mebrahtu, ERI, Unattached, 1:02:00
Julius Kogo, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:02:25
Ayele Megersa Feisa, ETH, WSX, 1:03:03
Jordan Chipangama, USA, NAZ Elite, 1:03:22
Stephen Pifer, USA, Newton, 1:03:44
Girma Bekele Gebre, ETH, WSX, 1:03:50
Betram Keter, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:04:17
David Sanchez, USA, Skechers Performance, 29:23.30 (10,000m)
Christian Thompson, USA, NJ*NY Track Club, 1:04:31
Jeff Weiss, USA, Steel City Track Club, 1:04:40
Birhanu Dare Kemal, ETH, WSX, 1:04:57
Matt Hensley, USA, Boulder Harriers, 1:06:31
Alex Koksal, USA, Unattached, 1:09:24
Josh Carson, USA, Boulder Harriers, 1:09:28
About the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Join us for the ultimate experience that will take you on an unforgettable
journey. The 2015 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is more than
just a run. With 30,000 competitors and $25,000 in prizes, you're sure to
have one incredible adventure. Runners and spectators will play through 7
months of virtual and old-fashioned competition - starting at registration,
continuing through training and culminating with one epic weekend of games.
Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), the 7th
edition is set for May 2-3, 2015. For more information, go to:
www.PittsburghMarathon.com.
About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc.
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R) is a non-profit organization
which promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community
involvement in fitness activities through high quality events open to a
wide variety of ages and ability levels. Our events will consistently serve
the needs of our runners and our sponsors; will engage and reward our
volunteers; will enhance the economic well-being of the Pittsburgh region;
will partner with public and private entities to create the best possible
event experience and partner with appropriate charitable organizations to
give back to the community. For more, go to www.P3R.org.
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