FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2002 Contact: Franca Gargiulo
Media Director
Big Sur International Marathon
415-922-2870
[email protected]

CLASS FIELD SET TO CHALLENGE WORLD’S BEST MARATHON

Carmel, CA (April 24, 2002) - A small but very strong elite field is
entered in this year’s Big Sur Marathon. As these elite runners prepare
for the 17th Presentation of this world-class event, they will take aim at
the 15-year-old course record (five-time winner Brad Hawthorne’s 2:16:39
in 1987). In addition, two of the runners will be eligible for a bonus
available for any repeat winner. The field includes the top three male
finishers from last year’s race and a newcomer that has run 2:10:58 at the
Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego.

Heading the list is last year’s winner, Arsenio Ortiz. Arsenio also won
in 1999 with the second fastest time in Big Sur history, 2:19:16. Last
year’s runner-up Sergey Nochevny from Russia is also entered. Sergey,
also the runner-up in 2000, will be attempting to climb one place in the
standings this year. He ran last year’s race five minutes faster than he
ran in 2000, so a similar improvement this year could put him in the
winner’s circle.

Our other former winner is Hector Lopez. Hector won the 1996 race and
finished third last year. These three experienced Big Sur veterans are
hoping that course knowledge will help them hold off some very fast
newcomers. Heading that list is Kenya’s Jonathan Ndambuki who has run a
personal best of 2:10:58. Jonathan also ran a 2:11:25 while finishing
second at the 1998 Los Angeles Marathon. Also in the field are Urii
Usachev of Russia, who trains with Sergey Nochevny and has run a personal
best of 2:17 and Krystof Baldyga of Poland with a personal best of 2:16.
This field could produce the most exciting men’s finish ever.

Two Canadians head the women’s field. JulieAnne White and Ida Mitten, a
pair of 40 year olds, will take aim at course record or 2:41:34 set by
Svetlana Vasilyeva in 1996. Both runners are capable of running in the
2:30s if the conditions are good.

The most beautiful marathon course in the world is also one of the most
challenging and should provide a real test for this superb group of elite
runners. The winners will know that they have beaten a world-class field
on a world-class course.

The Big Sur International Marathon, once again voted the Best Marathon in
North America by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons, is held the last Sunday
in April. Set along one of the most breath-taking courses in the world,
this spectacular road race also gets high marks for its degree of
difficulty. Over 4,000 athletes begin this race on Highway One in Big Sur
and finish in Carmel. Along the way, runners wind their way through
majestic redwoods and Pacific Ocean views. Classical music greets
marathoners around each turn, providing inspiration that has been likened
to a spiritual experience. This year’s race will be held on Sunday, April
28.

Additional information on the Big Sur International Marathon is available
at http://bsim.org/.

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