New York, June 16, 2010—The ING New York City Marathon will once again showcase a highly anticipated American marathon debut: Shalane Flanagan will join the likes of Deena Kastor (2001), Meb Keflezighi (2002), Marla Runyan (2002), Dathan Ritzenhein (2006), and Kara Goucher (2008) when she runs the 41st edition of the race on Sunday, November 7, 2010, New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg announced today.
"It's another coming-out party on the streets of New York as Shalane adds her name to the impressive list of American debuts here," said Wittenberg. "This will be no mere ‘toe in the water' as Shalane jumps into the deep end with the world's best. I am 100-percent confident that Shalane will hold her head above water and much more. Shalane's debut at the 10,000 meters says it all. Look for a serious and significant debut effort in NYC."
Flanagan, 28, is the American record-holder at 3000, 5000, and 10,000 meters. She set the 10,000-meter mark of 30:22.22 when she took the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, lowering her own record set earlier in 2008. Earlier this year, she won the Houston Half-Marathon in 1:09:41 in her debut at that distance. Flanagan attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she won national cross country titles in 2002 and 2003, becoming the first Tar Heel to earn the top individual honor in the sport.
"I've dreamed of running a marathon since I was a little girl, and on November 7, 2010, I will attempt to fulfill that dream by racing the merciless 26.2 miles in New York City," said Flanagan. "I've chosen to run my first marathon in New York because of the support and encouragement I've received from NYRR throughout my career. Riding the lead vehicle in 2009 showed me the gritty overall challenge, and the distinct spirit within each of New York's neighborhoods. I can't wait to begin the training and the journey to the streets of NYC!"
Kastor and Goucher set women's American marathon debut records in New York. Goucher set the current record at 2:25:53 when she finished third two years ago.
Flanagan will join the previously announced Kastor in the women's field. Defending ING New York City Marathon champion Keflezighi and world marathon record-holder Haile Gebrselassie have been announced for the men's field.
New York Road Runners
Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives through participation in our races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR's premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising nearly $25 million for charity in 2009.
NYRR's running-based youth programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers, promote children's health and fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
The ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing nearly 105,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a worldwide broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the more than 830,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit www.ingnycmarathon.org.
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