With six elite runners in the field with personal-bests under 2 hours 13 minutes, it would be safe to say the course record in the men's division could be broken at the second annual Salt Lake City Marathon Saturday.
The more than 3,300 participants hail from 10 different countries, including Kenya, Russia, Australia, Ethiopia, St. Lucia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Poland, United States and the Czech Republic.
 | Deseret Morning News graphic Salt Lake City MarathonRequires Adobe Acrobat. |
The marathon begins at 6 a.m. at the University of Utah's Legacy Bridge with the race/walkers and plus-14 minute-mile competitors, while the elite runners will begin at 7 a.m.
The course will take the runners through the Salt Lake Valley before ending at The Legacy Park in The Gateway.
"Our race is a great compliment to the valley. Not many races that can use five municipalities and a university and do it well," race director Greg Reid said.
Kenya's Elly Rono leads the field of elite runners, having finished first in the 2004 Ottawa Marathon with a time of 2:14:48. His personal best, however, is nearly a minute faster, posted at the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn.
John Birgen (2003 Milan Marathon), Fred Ntabo Getange and Gilbert Koech should push Rono for the top spot and the $25,000 winner's check.
Also, keep an eye on Simon Sawe (personal-best 2:14.23); Philip Kibitok Metto (2004 Mexico City Marathon winner) and Daniel Cheruiyot (2nd in the Las Vegas Half Marathon).
Kenya's Gabriel Muchiri won the inaugural event last year with the time of 2:17:21. He held of training partner Michael Mislay by 10 seconds.
The course record could fall in the women's even also with a solid field, led by Ukraine's Olga Kovpotina, who set a new course record of 2:31.53 at the 2005 Las Vegas Marathon in January. He personal best is 2:27.39.
Poland's Dorota Gruca, also set a new course record at the 2004 Mazatlan Mexico Marathon. She carries a personal-best time of 2:28:49.
Anna Pichrtova and Jenny Gillard will also be runners to watch.
Russia's Lioudmila Kortchaguina set the women's course record last year with the time of 2:30.47.
NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING: In its inaugural year, the marathon drew 3,100 participants and this year the number is more than 3,300. The numbers also rose for the 5K from 3,200 to 3,300.
In addition to the marathon and 5K, the organizers also scheduled a 25-Mile Bike Tour, which will pass by various sites in the Salt Lake Valley and a MaraFit Kids 1K.
The Bike Tour begins at 6 a.m. Saturday at the Legacy Bridge and the Kids 1K begins at 8:30 a.m. at South Temple and 400 West.
HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO: A two-day Health and Fitness Expo begins today and runs through Friday at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days.
Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the Gold Medal in the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984, will also serve as an Honorary Starter. She will be available for autographs from 11 a.m. to noon at the Expo.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: Many roads will be closed for certain times during the day during the running of the marathon. A phone bank has been set up for citizens to call to find out what roads will be closed. They can also receive information on alternate routes. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Friday. The number is 801-412-6060.
Also, information on the road closures can be found on the Internet at www.saltlakecitymarathon.com.
THIRD EYE BLIND: Each marathon, 5K and Bike Tour participant will receive a free ticket to the ThirdEyeBlind concert to be held Saturday night at the Delta Center following the awards ceremony.
Additional tickets will be made available to the public for $20 or $10 for children under 10. Tickets can be purchased at the Delta Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, 800-325-SEAT or on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available for purchases at the Fitness Expo today only.
THE ROMANTICS: In conjunction with the Pasta Party at the Gallivan Center Friday night, The Romantics will be playing a free concert.
The concert is open to the public beginning at 7 p.m.
The Romantics will also be playing at the finish line Saturday.
TWILIGHT RUN: Top high school track stars from around the country, many with state and national championship, will attempt to break a nearly 30-year-old world high-school running record at East High School at 6 p.m. Friday.
The national record in the two-mile is 8:36.3. The winner will be awarded the Gerry Lindgren National Two-mile Championship Trophy by Gerry Lindgren, a Hall of Fame distance runner.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com