Thirty-one year old Gilbert Okari of Kenya who set the race course record of 31:08 in 2004 and defending American men’s champion Ed Moran, 30, of Williamsburg, Va., will be competing against a packed men’s field.  Challengers include Americans Abdi Abdirahman, 34, of Tuscon, Ariz., three-time Olympian, four-time USA 10K champion with a 27:22.81 10,000 meter best; Mohamed Trafeh, 26, of Tampa, Fla., with a half marathon best of 1:00:39; Fasil Bizuneth, 31, of Indianapolis, Ind., the 2010 US 10-mile champion with a 27:50.48 and 10,000 meter best as well as Fernando Cabada, 29, of Boulder, Colo., the US 25K champion in 1:15:41.  Others include Kenyans Micah Kogo, 25, Olympic bronze medalist in the 10,000 meters, 2007 Falmouth winner and a 10K best of 27:15; Canadian Simon Bairu, 28, with 27:23 10,000 meter best and Ethiopian Bekana Daba, 23, 2011 Houston Marathon winner and course record holder (2:07:04).

One second separated the 2010 masters men’s winner forty-five year old Mbarak Hussein from Albuquerque, N.M., (34:38) and Kenyan James Koskei (34:39), age 42.  They both will be back this year.  American running legends Bill Rodgers, 63, of Sherborn, Mass. and Frank Shorter, also 63, of Boulder, Colo. will be joining the field.

Defending and eight-time champion, Craig Blanchette, 43, of Battle Group, Wash., leads the men’s wheelchair field.  Challengers include two-time Falmouth winner and course record holder (23:35 set in 2008), Krige Schabort, 47, from Cedartown, Ga.; three-time Falmouth champion, Tony Nogueira, 43, from Glen Ridge, N.J.; two-time Falmouth champ, Patrick Doak, 43, from Carlisle, Mass. and Grant Berthiaume, 49, from Tuscon, Ariz.

Defending and four-time winner, Jessica Galli, 27, from Savoy, Ill., leads the women’s wheelchair field.  She will be joined by Jacqui Kapinowski, 48, from Point Pleasant, N.J. and fifteen year old Bridgette Wise from Pipersville, Pa. 

Prize money totaling $116,400 will be paid to the top international and U.S. finishers, an increase of $14,900 over 2010.  The American prize prize purse is the largest outside a national championship with the male and female prize totals of $22,350 each.  This total will equal the open male and female prize purse with double-dipping allowed.  In addition, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race male and female wheelchair prize purse has been increased to $4,250 each from $2,500.

Elite Athlete Lists and Bib Notes

Elite athlete lists as of Aug. 2 are attached to this release.  Overall males and females will have their last name on their white bib.  Masters males and females will have their last names on their yellow bibs and will have a number on their back.  American athletes will have USA on the left side of the bib.  Wheelchair athletes will wear a white bib with their last name and a number on their helmet.  Athlete lists are now posted on the race website – www.falmouthroadrace.com.  Biographical information available upon request.

About Falmouth Road Race
  The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season.  Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite athletes and recreational runners out to enjoy the scenic 7-mile seaside course.  The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is dedicated to promoting health and fitness for all in its community.  Proceeds from the race each year support youth athletic programs in the town of Falmouth and other nonprofit community groups.

List of athletes and Prize money below.