Below is excerpt of press release with Lineth Chepkurui listed as competing. Should be a fun race!(http://running.competitor.com/2010/09/news/hall-headlines-ing-rock-n-roll-philadelphia_13762)
The equally loaded women’s field is led by multiple Olympic medalist and world-record holder Meseret Defar of Ethiopia, who will be making her half marathon debut. She will be joined on the starting line by American Shalane Flanagan, the reigning U.S. half marathon champion who will be taking her second stab at the 13.1-mile distance in preparation for her marathon debut on November 7 in New York City.
“The race will be an essential test in my build up to the ING New York Marathon,” Flanagan said. “I look forward to a great day in Philly!”
Defar’s countrywoman Derartu Tulu–the reigning New York City marathon champion who owns two Olympic gold medals–and fellow Ethiopian Werknesh Kidane, who has the most world cross country championships medals of any female runner in history, add even more firepower to the front of women’s field. They’ll be accompanied by New Zealand’s Kim Smith, second at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon earlier this year in a national record 1:07:55, and Kenya’s Lineth Chepkurui, who in August won the Beach to Beacon 10K in a course record of 30:59.
About the Author:
Mario Fraioli is the web producer at Competitor.com. He is a former cross country All-American at Stonehill College and has run 2:28 in the marathon. He can be reached at
mfraioli@competitorgroup.com