Sports - Athletics: Elite Athletes Announced For ING Philadelphia Distance Run

2008 Olympic Silver Medalist And World Marathon Champion Highlights Elite Field

Philadelphia, PA (September 19, 2008) – An international field of elite athletes were introduced this morning will for the 31st Annual ING Philadelphia Distance Run on Sunday, September 21, 2008. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, who won an Olympic silver medal in the marathon this year in Beijing, will lead this years women’s field. The defending champion of the Philadelphia Distance Run in 2007, Claire Duncan of the USA, will be back to defend her title at this year’s race.

The men’s elite division will be lead by this year’s winner of the New York half marathon, Tadese Tola of Ethiopia. Joining Tadese in the elite men’s field will be Mike Aish of New Zealand, who won the 2008 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Arizona earlier this year and Mcdonard Ondara of Kenya, who won last year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose and came in third place at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach last month.

“We’re delighted to have such an incredible lineup of athletes at this year’s ING Philadelphia Distance Run,” said Matt Turnbull, Athlete Coordinator for Elite Racing. “Being the first race for Catherine Ndereba after her Olympic performance, which earned her the silver medal, is an honor. I’m sure the competition will be fierce – but Philadelphia is the perfect place to host such a race.”

Terefu Zwedie of Ethiopia, who won the Carlsbad 5000 (5K) and Peachtree 10K in 2008, will also make his debut appearance at the race. The winner in each division will take home $3,500.

"I am overjoyed at being back in Philadelphia to race. It's been some time since my schedule has allowed me to run the ING Philadelphia Distance Run,” said Ndereba, who trains outside of Philadelphia. “It's great that this will be my first race after the Olympic Marathon. It's my home training ground where I prepare for every marathon, so it's great to come back home for a race."

The first four-time women's winner at the Boston Marathon, Ndereba, 36, boasts an impressive running resume. Her list of global achievements includes two victories at the Chicago Marathon and runner up finishes in the London and ING New York City marathons.

About Elite Racing Inc.
Based in San Diego, Calif., Elite Racing, Inc. is a division of Competitor Group, Inc., which includes endurance sports publishing leaders Competitor Magazine and Triathlete Magazine. Elite Racing produces world-class road racing events for runners and walkers throughout the United States. Its signature Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series began in 1998 with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. Over the past 10 years, the sports marketing and management company has grown to manage a total of seven marathons and half marathons including the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathons in Virginia Beach, Va. and San Jose, Calif., and the ING Philadelphia Distance Run. Events feature live bands on entertainment stages and cheerleaders at every mile along the course and attract between 13,000 and 37,000 participants.

In addition, Elite Racing also produces the Carlsbad 5000. Known as the “world’s fastest 5K,” the Carlsbad 5000 is home to 16 world best times at the 3.1-mile distance and welcomes over 10,000 runners and walkers to the streets of Carlsbad, Calif. annually. For more information about Elite Racing’s events visit EliteRacing.com.

About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million residential, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of about 130,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand. In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 14 million customers across the nation.

Source : runnersweb