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2008 Mayor's Cup XC This Weekend
BOSTON, MA With 800 participants per year, the Mayor's Cup at Franklin Park in Boston continues to be one of the nation's top open cross country events. This year's event will be held on Sunday, October 26, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event is presented by the Boston Athletic Association and adidas, and directed by USATF-New England and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families.
The Mayor's Cup offers races for all ages and abilities. Kids can take part in one of three youth events, designed for ages 10-and-under, 11-12 and 13-14, and held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Next on the schedule is the Franklin Park 5K, an open race for men and women of all ability levels, at 10:50 a.m. Then, at 11:30 a.m. and noon, respectively, will be the Women's Championship 5K and Men's Championship 8K for the top athletes.
Headlining the championship races are 2006 men's champion Stephen Chemlany (Westchester, NY / KEN) and two-time defending women's champion Aziza Ayilu (Westchester, NY / ETH), both of the Westchester Track Club.
Looking to challenge Chemlany for the men's title will be Houston University alum Stephen Magness (Chino Hills, CA), who owns a PR in the mile of 4:01.02, and North Carolina State alum Stephen Furst (Raleigh, NC). Furst was an NCAA Southeast Region all-regional selection in cross country in 2006.
Ayilu will face a deep and experienced women's field as she attempts to become the first woman or man to win three consecutive Mayor's Cup titles. Samia Akbar (Herndon, VA) is coming off an 18th-place finish at last April's U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Women's Marathon in Boston, and she has twice placed fourth in the Mayor's Cup (2005 and 2006). Mary Cullen (Providence, RI / IRL), runner-up in 2005, and Maureen McCandless (Syracuse, NY), fourth last year, both return looking to improve on their best Mayor's Cup placings. Newcomers Barbara Parker (Tallahassee, FL / GBR), a 2008 Olympian and British record-holder in the steeplechase, and Jess Minty (Blowing Rock, NC), a Division III cross country All-American while at Colby College, will also look to challenge Ayilu.
The Mayor's Cup is open to the public, and race-day registration is available until the start of the races. Proceeds from the event are used to maintain Franklin Park.
Full results and a race report will be available at www.baa.org on Sunday afternoon. Sunday's schedule of events: 10:00 a.m. Boys' & Girls' 10-and-under 1.1-mile 10:15 a.m. Boys' & Girls' 11-12 1.1-mile 10:30 a.m. Boys' & Girls' 13-14 1.1-mile 10:50 a.m. Franklin Park 5K 11:30 a.m. Women's Championship 5K Noon Men's Championship 5K
Past Mayor's Cup Champions Year Men Women 2007 Girma Tola (Westchester TC) Aziza Ayilu (Westchester TC) 2006 Stephen Chemlany (Westchester TC) Aziza Ayilu (Westchester TC) 2005 Jarrod Shoemaker (B.A.A.) Kim Smith (Reebok) 2004 Mark Carroll (adidas) Atalelech Keteme (Westchester TC) 2003 Keith Kelly (New Balance) Kate O'Neill (Nike) 2002 Keith Kelly (New Balance) Kristin Chisum (New Balance) 2001 Sandu Rebencuic (U.S. Army) Priscilla Hein (Indiana Invaders) 2000 Francis Kirwa (Life University) Sarah Dupre (B.A.A.) 1999 Sammy Nyamongo (Life University) Christine Junkermann (adidas) 1998 Francis Kirwa (Life University) Lesley Lehane (B.A.A.) 1997 Silah Misoi (Life University) Kathy Franey (Nike International) 1996 Silah Misoi (Life University) Kate Fonshell (ASICS) 1995 Seamus McElligott (ASICS) Lynn Jennings (Nike International) 1994 Abidi Bouazza (Westchester TC) Lynn Jennings (Nike International) 1993 Brad Schlapak (NYAC) Carmen Troncoso (Nike Texas) 1992 Brad Schlapak (NYAC) Kathy Franey (Reebok Racing) 1991 Andy Ball (Nike Running Room) Gwyn Coogan (Nike Boston) 1990 Michael Baugh (HFC Striders) Michelle DiMuro (Reebok Racing)
Past Mayor's Cup Team Champions Year Men 2007 Boston Athletic Association 2006 Westchester Track Club Westchester Track Club 2005 Boston Athletic Association Westchester Track Club 2004 Boston Athletic Association Boston Athletic Association 2003 Boston Athletic Association Boston Athletic Association 2002 Bryn Mawr Running Club Boston Athletic Association 2001 Boston Athletic Association Indiana Invaders 2000 Reebok Boston Boston Athletic Association 1999 Life University Syracuse Chargers 1998 Reebok Enclave Boston Athletic Association 1997 New Balance ASICS Club East 1996 New Balance Boston Running Club 1995 Life University Boston Running Club19th Annual Mayor's Cup Cross Country Races to be Held Sunday at Franklin Park
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