Mutai and Kilel for Boston 10k

[TheEd]

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association today announced that 2011 Boston Marathon men’s and women’s champions Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel, both of Kenya, will return to Boston to compete in the inaugural B.A.A. 10K on June 26.

At the 115th Boston Marathon on April 18, the 29-year old Mutai ran the world’s fastest marathon in 2:03:02. His performance was 57 seconds faster than the world record time of 2:03:59 set by Haile Gebrselassie at the 2008 Berlin Marathon. Mutai’s Boston performance bested the previous course record of 2:05:52 held by Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (2010). Already having won several international marathons prior to this year’s Boston Marathon, Mutai’s new title as “world’s fastest marathoner” has instantly placed him among the sport of running’s top professionals.

Kilel’s Boston Marathon performance also ranks among the fastest ever recorded in Boston’s illustrious 115-year history. This year’s winning time of 2:22:36 at the Boston Marathon by the 30-year old Kilel was the fourth fastest in race history. Only course record holder Margaret Okayo, and legends Catherine Ndereba and Uta Pippig have run faster at Boston. Kilel and American Desiree Davila dueled to one of the most exciting finishes ever in the women’s race and since an official division was instituted in 1972. Kilel edged Desiree Davila by two seconds with a perfectly-timed finishing kick.

For Mutai and Kilel, who are both part of the Elite Team which Boston Marathon principal sponsor John Hancock Financial Services recruited for this year’s race, winning at Boston represented their first World Marathon Majors victory.

“The B.A.A. is pleased to welcome back to Boston Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel for another B.A.A. event: this time the B.A.A. 10K,” said Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association. “Their winning performances in the Boston Marathon were awe-inspiring, and they captivated the sports world with their incredible races. The B.A.A. looks forward to launching its newest event next month – the B.A.A. 10K – with the Boston Marathon champions at the head of the field. The inclusion of Geoffrey and Caroline will be an attraction not only for B.A.A. 10K participants, but also for all of those who followed this year’s Boston Marathon and marveled at their remarkable races on Patriots’ Day.”

The inaugural B.A.A. 10K will provide runners the opportunity to participate on an urban course through Boston’s Back Bay, Kenmore Square and Boston University neighborhoods. The fast, flat course begins and ends at Boston Common, with long stretches along picturesque Commonwealth Avenue. Online registration began on Wednesday, May 4 and the field is expected to reach its field size limit of 5,000 entrants quickly.

Other top competitors in the B.A.A. 10K will be introduced in May and June. The B.A.A. 10K includes a prize purse of $30,000 with $5,000 awarded to the winners and equally distributed among the top male and female finishers.

With the Boston Marathon® as its premier event, the B.A.A. has added the B.A.A. 10K in the summer which complements two of its other races: the B.A.A. 5K in April and the B.A.A. Half Marathon in October. Also, the B.A.A. organizes the B.A.A. Invitational Mile and youth programs and races, as well as other charitable and community-based efforts.