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Saturday, October 25, 2008

Men

Tamrat Ayalew: Defending champion, based in Atlanta, ran 2:22:20 last year.

Ruben Garcia: Member of the Mexican navy, won in 2005 and 2006, finished second last year in 2:24:20.

Michael Wardian: Ultramarathoner from Arlington, has run three marathons in the past month. "I'm hoping to run fast enough to win," Wardian said.

Fred Joslyn: Represents the Hanson's Running Project in Michigan, has a marathon best of 2:25:34, said, "I just haven't put together a good marathon yet, but I'm certainly capable of running under 2:20 right now."

Jaron Hawkins: Third last year in 2:25:34, from Frostburg, Md., said this year "the main goal is to be in contention for the win."

Women

Irina Suvorov: Pre-race favorite, 37, from the Foot Solutions team via Russia, has a marathon personal best of 2:29:53.

Valentina Yegorova: Olympic marathon gold medalist in 1992 and silver medalist in 1996, the 44-year-old is expected to run with her Foot Solutions teammate, 2:29 marathoner Tatyana Pozdnyakova, 53.

Lindsay Wilkins: From Arlington, ran 1:17:55 for a half marathon in Philadelphia last month, has a marathon best of 2:50:33 and is a member of the Pacers running team that went one-two among the women last year.

Ashley Griffith: Another Pacers athlete, from McLean, ran a personal best 2:59:00 this year and finished 17th in last year's race.

-- Jim Hage