Elite winners and record holders return to the 2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon
With keen interest from elite athletes, 2014 represents the largest number of strong endurance runners in recent years
Vancouver, BC – April 11, 2014 – Over 90 elite athletes are confirmed to participate in the BMO Vancouver Marathon, bringing some of last year’s winners as well as new local and international competitors. With 31 Marathon and 61 Half Marathon elite athletes, the 2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon welcomes top runners from over 10 countries to compete on May 4th. Due to high demand, elite athlete applications closed earlier than in previous years.
The 2013 champion and four-time winner of the BMO Vancouver Marathon, Thomas Omwenga of Kenya, will return to defend his title and winning time of 2:24:09. Up against Omwenga is Kenyan runner, Gilbert Kiptoo who has run the Marathon three times – in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Kiptoo’s best time of 2:09:50 was achieved in Dublin in 2011. In addition, Tsegaye Dissasa from Ethiopia is new to the event and will be great competition for the Kenyans. Dissasa boasts a personal best time of 2:15:41 and recently ran a marathon in March in his hometown, Addis Ababa, with a time of 2:18:00. Local favourites, Ryan Day (third place in 2012 with 2:29:22), and Richard Mosley (personal best of 2:19:52 in Sacramento, 2010) will be amongst the challengers. The Marathon event record stands as 2:13:14 and was set in 1980.
In the women’s division, local resident and British citizen, Ellie Greenwood will return to compete in the Marathon. Greenwood won the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2012 with a time of 2:42:16 and intended to run in 2013 but was unable to compete due to injury. Wayinshet Hailu of Ethiopia will be Greenwood’s number one challenger with a personal best of 2:38:39. The women’s Marathon event record was set in 2007 at 2:35:50.
Paul Kimugul of Kenya, who broke the Half Marathon event record last year with a time of 1:04:18, is returning to defend his title and beat his time. Ontario’s Rob Watson, now training locally in Vancouver and ranked second in the country with a personal best time of 1:03:22 (New York, 2013), will challenge Kimugul for the first time in Vancouver. In addition, last year’s Half Marathon runner-up, Kip Kangogo returns to the starting line as a Canadian citizen for the first time, looking to celebrate with a victory. Kangogo is running the event for the fifth time and will be another top competitor with a 2013 time of 1:04:52.
Women’s Half Marathon champion, Natasha Wodak who won the event in 2012 and 2013, will defend her title for the third year in a row. Wodak achieved her personal best in Victoria, 2012 with a time of 1:14:06. Allison Macsas of the United States was injured in 2013, but will be back this year to battle Wodak. Macsas placed second in the Half Marathon in 2012, crossing the finish line in 1:15:31, only 19 seconds after Wodak. This May 4th, both runners will are keen to break the event record of 1:12:33 that was set in 1996.
Top Competitors to look for and their best times:
Men’s Full
Gilbert Kiptoo KEN 2:09.50, Dublin, 2011
Thomas Omwenga KEN 2:10.44, Seoul, 2004
Tsegaye Disassa ETH 2:12.57, Vienna, 2011
Berhanu Mekonnen ETH 2:15.30, Podgorika, 2011
Top Canadian Richard Mosley 2:19.57, Sacramento, 2010
Women’s Full
Wayinshet Hailu ETH 2:38.39, La Rochelle, 2011
Ellie Greenwood BRITAIN 2:42.16, Vancouver, 2012
Top Canadian Ailsa McDonald 2:48.16, Los Angeles, 2013
Bean Wrenn USA 2:48.10, Sacramento, 2011
Sally Daganzo USA 2:49.29, Eugene, 2007
Men’s Half
Paul Kimugul 1.00.15, Rotterdam, 2005
Top Canadian Rob Watson 1:03.22, New York, 2013
Kip Kangogo CAN 1:03.22, Vancouver, 2013
Lamech Mokono KEN 1:02.53, Indianapolis, 2008
Kevin Poole USA 1:05.53, Duluth, 2013
Women’s Half
Top Canadian Natasha Wodak 1:14.06, Victoria, 2012
Allisan Macsas USA 1:15.31, Vancouver, 2012
Kate Bazeley CAN 1:16.24, Vancouver, 2011
Kim Doerksen CAN 1:17.26, Vancouver, 2014
Lisa Brooking CAN 1:17.42, Victoria, 2013
About The Vancouver International Marathon Society
The Vancouver International Marathon Society is the non-profit organization responsible for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. The event is one of Canada’s largest marathons and has a 43-year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Half Marathon. The event will take place on May 4, 2014, featuring the three point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighborhoods. The Health, Sports and Lifestyle Expo will take place during Marathon weekend on May 1-3. The 2014 events remain capped at 5,000 for the Marathon, 10,000 for the Half-Marathon, 2,000 for the 8km, 500 for 8km Teen Challenge and 250 for the Kids 1-Mile Fun run participants.
For more information and how to register visit: www.bmovanmarathon.ca
For more information about the Vancouver International Marathon Society visit: www.van-run-wp.gssi.net
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be in its ninth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. BMO supports the running community through sponsorship of marathon events throughout North America – in Vancouver, Kelowna, Charlottetown, Phoenix, Arizona, and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. BMO’s long and proud history of supporting sports and fitness in Canada reflect some of our most deeply held corporate values, such as contributing positively to a healthy quality of life in the community and promoting the achievements of people, regardless of age or ability.
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