RECORDS MAY FALL IN PRE CLASSIC DISTANCES

May 28, 2009
For Immediate Release



RECORDS MAY FALL IN PRE CLASSIC DISTANCES

Eugene, Oregon--How good have the distance races been in the 35-year history of the Prefontaine Classic? Good enough that the fastest times ever run on American soil in two of the three endurance races in this year's Pre Classic were recorded in prior editions of the meet. How good will they be on Sunday, June 7th at Hayward Field? Good enough that all three records--in the women's 2000 meters and men's 3000 Meters and Steeplechase--are in serious jeopardy.
In the women's 2k, No. 1 ranked middle distance runner Maryam Jamal of Bahrain plans a pace that would bring her under 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The "American All-Comers Record" is 5:32.7, set 25 years ago by the incomparable Mary Slaney in the 1984 Prefontaine Classic. Jamal is the 2007 1500 Meter World Champion, and her strong season in 2008 earned her the No. 1 ranking by Track & Field News magazine at that distance. This will be no solo run, however, since Kenyan 5k specialists Vivian Cheriuyot and Linet Masai, ranked No. 4 and 7 in the world, respectively, are in the race. New York Marathon 3rd-placer and 2007 World Championships bronze medalist Kara Goucher is also scheduled to compete, along with No. 2 American Jen Rhines, and NCAA cross country champion Sally Kipyego.
One competitor in the 2009 Pre Classic men's 3000 Meter race is very familiar with the fastest time ever run on American soil. Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya set the record of 7:35.44 in the 2005 edition of the meet. Kipchoge, ranked No. 2 in the world at 5000 Meters by T&FN, has to be rated the favorite, but only slightly over double World Champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Bernard Lagat of the U.S., Beijing Olympic 10k silver medalist Sileshi Sihine, No. 5 in the world Moses Masai of Kenya, and Steeplechase world recordholder Saif Shaheen of Qatar. The planned pace for the first mile is 4:01, and they'll have nearly another mile to go!
In the 3000-Meter Steeplechase, World No. 1 Paul Koech, the Hayward Field and Prefontaine Classic recordholder (8:08.02), meets Olympic gold medalist Brimin Kipruto, in a clash of Kenyan countrymen. The American All-Comers best is 8:04.51, set by Brahim Boulami in 2002. American Olympians Billy Nelson and Josh McAdams are also in the field.
Olympic Medal Total: with 12 events announced, the number of Beijing medalists in the 2009 Prefontaine Classic now stands at 20, with the Sprints and Jumps still to be announced. For announced startlists, go to www.preclassic.com
Tickets may be purchased online at www.goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT, and at the Casanova Center ticket office. The 2009 NIKE Prefontaine Classic will be televised live on NBC from 2 - 4 p.m. ET.

2000 METERS (WOMEN)

**Maryam Jamal (Bahrain)
**Linet Masai (Kenya)
**Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya)
**Pauline Korikwiang (Kenya)
**Jen Rhines
**Sara Hall
**Sally Kipyego (Kenya)
**Marina Muncan--pace
**Amy Yoder-Begley
**Arianne Lambie
**Kara Goucher

3000 METERS (MEN)

**Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
**Bernard Lagat
**Sileshi Sihine
**Moses Masai (Kenya)
**Abreham Feleke (Ethiopia)
**Matt Tegenkamp
**Juan Luis Barrios (Mexico)
**Chris Solinsky
**Jonathan Riley
**Leonard Komon (Kenya)
**Ian Dobson
**Matthew Kisorio (Kenya)
**Saif Shaheen (Qatar)
**Brent Vaughn
**Alistair Craig
**Steve Scherer--pace

STEEPLECHASE (MEN)

**Paul Koech (Kenya)
**Ezekiel Kemboi (Kenya)
**Brimin Kipruto (Kenya)
**Billy Nelson
**Willy Komen (Kenya)
**Kyle Alcorn
**Dan Huling
**Josh McAdams
**Roba Gary (Ethiopia)
**Ben Bruce
**Tom Brooks
**Steve Slattery
**Brian Olinger
**Luke Watson--pace