Running USA Wire
27 April 2000 – Nashville, USA - The elite fields at the Country Music Marathon on Saturday, April 29 in Nashville will be stacked with world-class athletes that are expected to break state and city marathon records in both the men's and women's fields.
The men's pre-race favorite is Philip Chirchir of Kenya, whose PR of 2:08:51 is the fastest in the field. Chirchir's time is an incredible 24 minutes faster than the Nashville marathon record [2:33:02] and more than 10 minutes faster than the best mark ever recorded in Tennessee [2:19:33]. Expected to challenge Chirchir is fellow Kenyan and Fila teammate Luka Kibet [PR of 2:11:16], Kenya's John Kiprono [PR of 2:11:34] and Peruvian National record holder Miquel Mallqui [PR of 2:11:36].
The women's field will feature the 1998 Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon champion and candidate for the Dutch Olympic team, Nadja Wijenberg. Wijenberg is a very strong and consistent runner who ran a PR of 2:28:44 at the 1999 Eindhoven Marathon. Nadja will face strong competition from Kenya's Lucia Subano, the 2000 Armed Forces Cross Country Champion and Hungary's Judit Nagy, who boasts a PR of 2:27:58. The women are also in great contention to break both the Tennessee state women's marathon record [2:40:35] and the Nashville marathon record [2:55:38].
"It would be shocking if records were not broken at the Country Music Marathon," said Mike Long, Elite Athlete Recruiter for Elite Racing, Inc., producer of the event.
With a total prize package valued over $100,000, the male and female champions will take home at least $20,000; second place $10,000; third place $5000; fourth place $2500 and fifth place $1500. There is also a time bonus of $10,000 for the first male under 2:11:00 and an additional $10,000 if this individual breaks 2:10:00. The first female to finish under 2:30:00 will receive a $10,000 bonus and an additional $10,000 for finishing under 2:29:00.
The Country Music Marathon will host 11,000 runners and feature more than 40 live country bands along its scenic course. In addition, 26 cheerleading squads will root for marathon runners in a "Spirit on the Course" competition. The post-race concert in the Gaylord Entertainment Center, featuring country music legend Kenny Rogers with special guests Collin Raye and Linda Davis, will conclude the festivities.
For more information visit www.CMMarathon.com.
