Tergat, Lel for New York Marathon

By FeverPitch Reporter and Agencies

Two-time winner and defending champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil (2006, 2008) headlines an all-star field of former champions including Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa (2004), Paul Tergat (2005) and Martin Lel of Kenya (2003, 2007), Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia (2005, 2006), and Ludmila Petrova of Russia (2000) are in the ING New York City Marathon 2009 on November 1, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.

Also announced was the total guaranteed prize purse of $800,000, the largest in race history and the most awarded in of any of the World Marathon Majors series races. With the announcement of a new champion’s bonus of $70,000, any past champion who wins this year will collect a first-place prize of $200,000.

"This galaxy of champions will be chasing the largest winner’s purse in our history and for several, another spot in our record book," said Wittenberg.

"We know already that they have the strength, the speed, and the smarts to win on the streets of New York, and the question is whether they can find that magic formula again this year."

Reigning ING New York City Marathon titlist Gomes, 32, made history when he surprised a stellar field, including Tergat and Ramaala, in 2006 and became the first South American winner and a hero in his home country. He repeated his victory last year, finishing in 2:08:43.

Consecutive titles

No man has won consecutive titles in New York since John Kagwe of Kenya won in 1997 and 1998. A third crown would tie Gomes with American running legend Alberto Salazar for the second-most New York City Marathon men’s titles. (American Bill Rodgers won the race four times, from 1976 to 1979.)

"The New York City Marathon was the race that broke me into the ranks of the world-class marathons, and training to win for a third time is exciting," said Gomes. "It will be my fourth time in this great marathon, and I believe that I will be ready to defend my title and claim my third victory."

These athletes join previously announced US Olympians Ryan Hall and Brian Sell, who will both be making their ING New York City Marathon debut in the final race of the 2008-09 World Marathon Majors series. Lel, 31, is a three-time London Marathon winner (2005, 2007, 2008).