THE WOMEN
IRENE LIMIKA (#100)
AGE: 30
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Defending champion who ran 32:06 last summer, a personal best. Last month placed seventh in Crazy 8’s 8K in Tennessee and 12th at Peachtree 10K in Atlanta.
CATHERINE NDEREBA (#101)
AGE: 38
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Five-time Beach to Beacon champion and two-time Olympic marathon silver medalist who returns after a five-year absence.
EDNA KIPLIGAT (#102)
AGE: 30
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Won Los Angeles Marathon earlier this year. Set course record at Utica Boilermaker 15K and placed third at Peachtree 10K.
LINETH CHEPKURUI (#103)
AGE: 22
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Set world record for 12K at Bay to Breakers, also won Peachtree 10K (30:51) and recorded fastest time of the year (30:45) at Crescent City Classic.
WUDE AYALEW YIMER (#104)
AGE: 23
RESIDENCE: Ethiopia
THE SKINNY: Returning for the first time since she was favored in 2007, only to collide with another runner early in the race and finish fourth. Former Peachtree 10K and Bix 7-Miler champion.
AYALECH ASSEFA (#105)
AGE: 22
RESIDENCE: Ethiopia
THE SKINNY: Wife of returning runner Dejene Berhanu, who underwent surgery last year to correct a droopy eyelid after, as luck would have it, his host family for Beach to Beacon included an ophthalmologist.
THE MEN
ED MUGE (#1)
AGE: 27
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Two-time defending champion looking to tie Gilbert Okari’s record three wins among men. Finished in 27:52 in 2008 and 28:05 last year.
MARTIN LEL (#2)
AGE: 31
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Among the world’s top marathoners, with three London and two NYC titles. Placed fifth in 2008 Olympic marathon.
KHALID KHANNOUCHI (#3)
AGE: 38
RESIDENCE: Ossining, N.Y.
THE SKINNY: Won the 1999 Beach to Beacon as a Moroccan citizen, then returned in 2000 for his first race as a U.S. citizen. Current American and former world champion in marathon (2:05:38).
BOAZ CHEBOIYWO (#5)
AGE: 32
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: Last year’s runner-up to Muge and a fifth-place finisher in 2008. Graduate of Eastern Michigan, with a 10K best of 27:46.
WILSON CHEBET (#6)
AGE: 25
RESIDENCE: Kenya
THE SKINNY: A rising star among Kenyan international road runners, with four sub-60 half marathons to his credit, the fastest at 59:15.
BEN TRUE (#9)
AGE: 24
RESIDENCE: North Yarmouth
THE SKINNY: Two-time Maine men’s champion, including course record of 29:10 last year. Turned pro last fall and moved to Oregon, but recently returned to New England.
– Glenn Jordan, Staff Writer
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