Bob Kennedy to Debut in Marathon
Ending years of speculation, Bob
Kennedy, two-time Olympian and the
American record-holder at 3000 and
5000 meters, has entered the ING New
York City Marathon 2004 on Sunday,
November 7. New York Road Runners
president and CEO Allan Steinfeld made
the announcement with Kennedy at a
luncheon today at the New York Athletic
Club.
Kennedy will bring years of worldclass
running experience to the line in
New York as he makes his long-anticipated
marathon debut. He joins 2004
Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor as the
second official entrant in this year's professional
athlete field.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bob to
New York," said Steinfeld, also the ING
New York City Marathon race director.
"We are eager to see him bring the same
guts, speed, and tenacity that have made
him a success in cross country and on the
track to the marathon distance, and what
better place to do it than here in New
York."
Twice an Olympian at 5000 meters,
Kennedy finished 12th in Barcelona in
1992 and sixth in Atlanta in 1996. In the
Atlanta race, he thrilled the home crowd
when he briefly took the lead midway.
Kennedy was seventh in the 1995 World
Championships at 5000 meters and sixth
in the 1997 World Championships.
Kennedy, 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana,
is arguably the best American distance
runner ever with American records of
7:30.84 for 3000 meters and 12:58.21 for
5000 meters. He is the only American to
ever break 13 minutes for 5000 meters,
and has won the 5000 meter national
title four times. Though he has been
plagued by injury and illness in recent
years, he has recently returned to form
and is the reigning USA 10K road (28:35)
and USA Cross Country 12K (35:03)
titlist.
Kennedy's marathon potential and the
timing of his debut have been subjects of
intense interest and speculation. Today,
flanked by Marcus O'Sullivan, his longtime
running adviser and the head cross
country and track coach at Villanova
University, Kennedy announced that the
time is finally right.
"I've thought about the marathon for
some time, but have not felt as though
the time was right for this new challenge
until now," said Kennedy. "It's an honor
to have the opportunity to take this next
step in my athletic career at one of the
world's greatest footraces, the ING New
York City Marathon."
About the ING New York City Marathon
The ING New York City Marathon is the
premier event of New York Road Runners
(NYRR). Inaugurated in 1970 with 127
entrants, the ING New York City
Marathon has grown into the world's premier
road race, featuring 35,000 participants,
more than two million spectators,
a leading professional field, and a guaranteed
prize purse of more than
$500,000. Broadcast across the nation
and in 125 countries worldwide, the
26.2-mile footrace is the United States'
most watched one-day sporting event.
The ING New York City Marathon joins
the USA Men's 8K Championships and
the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10K
as the cornerstones of the NYRR
Professional Racing Series and continues
NYRR's tradition of bringing the very best
runners in the world to New York City.
For more information visit: www.ingnycmarathon.org
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