This race has a ton of money and one lucky guy will walk away with $25,000.
1st $25,000
2nd $12,500
3rd $8000
4th $5000
5th $2500 (Money goes to 10th)
Employee #1 is at the race and spent some time with former Iona Star Leonard Korir today and will have more after the race.
I was trying to figure out who was in the field and after looking at it there is a good chance Korir wins $25,000 in his first pro race as the field is not that strong.
The field is composed of the
US Olympic Marathoners:
Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall, and Abdi Abdirahman. They shouldn't win as they are focused on the marathon.
Then there are the guys with the best track credentials.
Leonard Korir 27:29 last year, NCAA indoor 5k and outdoor 10k champ last year, pro debut, graduating from college Saturday
Daniele Meucci Italy, 27:32.86 at Stanford, 2 time Worlds finalist
Ben St. Lawrence 13:10/27:24 last year, 13:24 this year in February, but 13:59 at BAA 5k
Bobby Curtis 27:24 last year, 1 spot ahead of Ben St. Lawrence at BAA 5k in 7th
Then there are the "B" team road guys.
The one who I think might do the best is:
Henry Rutto Dominated Broad Street Run for $1500 last week in 47:06 for 10 miles which is equal to probably a 1:02 half marathon
Mengsti Tabor Nebsi ran 28:33 on roads this year. 1:01:31 at NYC Half, 5th at Cresent City one spot behind Okari this year
Gilbert Okari 16th at Bloomsday last week. Former Roads star, ran 28:50 last month at Crescent City
Tesfaye Girma 2:11 marathon 3 weeks ago, 1:00:35 at 2011 NYC Half
Kevin Castille Masters great
I think that is the field.
Just for reference the winner of a Golden League race gets $10,000. The Bloomsday winners got $7000.