Kim Smith and Allan Kiprono to Defend Titles in B.A.A. Distance Medley, which begins with B.A.A. 5K on April 14.
Three-Race Series Awards $100,000 Prize for Fastest Cumulative Time. $25,000 Prize Purse at Stake in B.A.A. 5K.
BAA Press Release
April 3, 2013
BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that an elite field of world class athletes will compete in the Fifth Annual B.A.A. 5K, the first race of the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley, on Sunday, April 14, 2013. Kim Smith (NZL) and Allan Kiprono (KEN) will defend their titles in the B.A.A. Distance Medley, a three-race series which awards $100,000 to the male and female with the fastest cumulative time from all three races. Defending B.A.A. 5K women’s champion and course record holder Werknesh Kidane (ETH) will once again compete in this year’s B.A.A. 5K, which awards a combined prize purse of $25,000.
In the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley, Kiprono will face London Olympic Games silver medalist at 5000 meters Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH); three-time Olympian Alistair Cragg (IRL); 2012 B.A.A. Distance Medley runner-up Lani Rutto (KEN); Daniel Salel (KEN), who holds a personal best of 13:08.23 for 5000 meters; and six-time NCAA All-American Stephen Sambu (KEN).
A two-time Olympian, Smith will be challenged on the women’s side in the B.A.A. Distance Medley by Kidane, a three-time Olympian and IAAF World Championships silver medalist; 2011 B.A.A. 5K champion Lineth Chepkurui (KEN); 2008 Bolder Boulder 10K champion Millicent Kuria (KEN); and 2013 Crescent City Classic champion Alice Kimutai (KEN).
In the B.A.A. 5K, Glastonbury, Conn. native Donn Cabral, who placed eighth in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the London Olympic Games, will look to be among the top finishers. Other top Americans in the field include 2012 Manchester Road Race champion Aaron Braun, as well as Andrew Carlson, Michael Crouch, and Cole Atkins. At 21 years old, Brett Robinson (AUS) is the youngest man among the elite field and holds a 5000 meter best of 13:37.75.
On the women’s side, Kidane and Smith placed first and third, respectively, last year and will meet again in this year’s B.A.A. 5K. They will face 2012 Manchester Road Race champion Delilah DiCrescenzo (USA), and fellow Americans Kellyn Johnson and Sarah Crouch. Also competing are Lara Tamsett (AUS), who holds a personal best for 5000 meters of 15:28.70, and 2:31 marathoner Heleen Plaatzer (NED).
“Held the day before the Boston Marathon each year, the B.A.A. 5K brings a surge of excitement and energy to the City of Boston, preparing competitors and spectators alike for the Boston Marathon,” said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. “It is an honor to welcome this outstanding field of competitors to Boston.”
The B.A.A. 5K is the first race of the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley. In the inaugural B.A.A. Distance Medley last year, 1492 runners registered for the three-race series and 931 completed it. This January, 2035 runners registered for the 2013 B.A.A. Distance Medley during an exclusive three-race registration window, which is now closed. The 2013 B.A.A. 5K field size limit of 6,500 has been reached and registration is now closed. Registration for the 2013 B.A.A. 10K begins on Wednesday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. ET and registration for the 2013 B.A.A. Half Marathon begins on Wednesday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
2013 B.A.A. 5K Men’s Field (as of April 3, 2013)
NAME COUNTRY AGE 5K Road/Track BEST
Dejen Gebremeskel ** ETH 23 13:11 (12:46.81)
Alistair Cragg ** IRL 32 13:24 (13:03.53)
Daniel Salel ** USA 22 Debut (13:08.23)
Stephen Sambu ** KEN 24 13:28 (13:13.74)
Aaron Braun USA 25 13:46 (13:20.25)
Andrew Carlson USA 30 13:57 (13:32.71)
Brett Robinson AUS 21 14:04 (13:37.75)
Donn Cabral USA 23 Debut (13:40.62)
Michael Crouch USA 25 13:56 (13:40.89)
Lani Rutto ** KEN 24 13:46
Allan Kiprono ** KEN 23 13:48
Cole Atkins USA 27 14:11 (14:00.20)
2013 B.A.A. 5K Women’s Field (as of April 3, 2013)
NAME COUNTRY AGE 5K Road/Track BEST
Werknesh Kidane ** ETH 32 15:12 (14:33.04)
Kim Smith ** NZL 31 14:48 (14:39.89)
Lineth Chepkurui ** KEN 25 15:50 (15:15.15)
Lara Tamsett AUS 24 15:42 (15:28.70)
Kellyn Johnson USA 26 16:01 (15:31.66)
Delilah DiCrescenzo USA 30 Debut (15:40.00)
Millicent Kuria ** KEN 27 15:48
Sarah Crouch USA 23 15:50 (15:56.50)
Heleen Plaatzer NED 33 16:35
Alice Kimutai ** KEN 20 Debut
** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant
( ) Track Performance for 5000 meters
Prize Structure
PLACE AMOUNT
1 $4,000
2 $2,000
3 $1,500
4 $1,000
5 $750
6 $600
7 $500
8 $400
9 $300
10 $200