GEOFFREY MUTAI – Kenya – Bib #1
PRONUNCIATION: JOFF-free MOO-tie
AGE: 30 (October 7, 1981)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:19 (27:27:59 for 10,000m)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Geoffrey Mutai is no stranger to running success in Boston. Mutai won the 115th Boston Marathon in 2011. His time of 2:03:02 is the fastest marathon ever run under any conditions. He returned to Boston for the inaugural B.A.A. 10K, which he won in a personal best of 27:19. His time was the world’s 3rd-fastest 10K of 2011 and the 2nd fastest ever run in the U.S.
After winning the Boston Marathon, Mutai won the ING New York City Marathon in a course record time of 2:05:06. He is the first man in history to break course records at the Boston and New York City marathons in the same year.
Mutai returned to Boston for this year’s 116th Boston Marathon, but did not finish the race in the unseasonably warm conditions. He dropped out near mile 18 due to stomach cramps. Despite this disappointment, he remains at the top of the 2011-2012 World Marathon Majors leaderboard. This May, he won the Ottawa 10K in 27:42.
Mutai’s fastest marathon outside of his Boston Marathon win came in 2010, when he placed second at the Fortis Rotterdam Marathon in 2:04:55. Mutai is married with two daughters named Ivy and Marieke. His second child was born while he was in Boston for last year’s B.A.A. 10K.
LEVY MATEBO – Kenya – Bib #2
PRONUNCIATION: LEE-vy Mah-TAY-bow
AGE: 22 (November 3, 1989)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:55
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
A few years ago, Levy Matebo was an accomplished track athlete, setting personal bests of 7:33.01 for 3000m and 13:03.04 for 5000m in 2008. More recently, he has made the transition to longer races.
In 2010, he tried his luck in the half marathon, running 1:02:48 at the Eldoret Half Marathon. He won the 2010 Brussels Marathon in 2:13:30 and placed 6th at the La Rochelle Marathon, running 2:12:06.
In 2011, Matebo enjoyed even greater road racing success, setting a half marathon personal best of 1:00:06 in Nice, France. Later that year, he won the Barcelona Marathon in 2:07:31. His next major breakthrough happened at the 2011 BMW Frankfurt Marathon, where he placed 2nd in 2:05:16.
At this year’s 116th Boston Marathon, he was the runner-up, finishing in 2:13:06. Matebo helped push the pace starting around the 17-mile mark. After 20 miles, he took sole possession of the lead and opened a 150-meter gap on the rest of the field. The eventual champion, Wesley Korir, of Kenya, overtook Matebo near the 25-mile mark. Matebo held on for 2nd place.
SAM CHELANGA – Kenya – Bib #3 ** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant – Current Leader after B.A.A. 5K
PRONUNCIATION: Sam Chuh-LANG-guh
AGE: 27 (February 23, 1985)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:31 (27:08.39 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
A highly decorated collegiate runner at Liberty University, Chelanga garnered 14 NCAA All-American honors. He holds the NCAA record at 10,000 meters with a time of 27:08.39. Chelanga won two consecutive NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2009 and 2010.
Sam Chelanga made his professional running debut at the Inaugural B.A.A. 10K last year, placing 4th and running 28:31. He returned to Boston in October, placing 2nd at the B.A.A. Half Marathon in 1:03:41.
At the 2012 NYC Half Marathon in March, he ran 1:01:19 to place 5th overall. There, he finished alongside 2012 Boston Marathon champion, Wesley Korir, of Kenya, who posted the same time. At the 2012 B.A.A. 5K, Chelanga placed 2nd in 13:43, following a sprint finish down Boylston Street. He now leads the B.A.A. Distance Medley by 3 seconds over Kenya’s Lani Rutto.
On June 2, Chelanga ran a new personal best time of 13:09.67 for 5000 meters, placing 8th at the Prefontaine Classic. Chelanga’s older brother, Joshua, is a professional marathon runner who placed 3rd at the 105th Boston Marathon in 2001. Sam Chelanga also has family ties to the Bay State. His wife, Marybeth, is originally from Plymouth. They were married last year.
ALI ABDOSH – Ethiopia – Bib #4 ** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant – 17 seconds behind leader after B.A.A 5K
PRONUNCIATION: Ah-LEE AB-dosh
AGE: 24 (August 28, 1987)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:26 (27:04.92 for 10,000m)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Ali Abdosh burst onto the world stage in 2006 when he beat 5000 meter World Championship silver medalist Sileshi Sihine over 4K at the Ethiopian Cross Country National Championships. In 2009, he competed in the IAAF World Championships, placing 6th in the 5000 meters.
Abdosh won the 2011 B.A.A. Half Marathon in 1:03:36. He used a strong kick to break away from a tight pack of elite runners late in the race, winning by five seconds over Sam Chelanga, of Kenya.
Abdosh has continued to run well in 2012. At the 2012 B.A.A. 5K, Abdosh was ninth overall, running 14:00. He trails current leader, Sam Chelanga by 17 seconds. On May 27, he ran 28:54.69 for 10,000 meters at the FBK Games in the Netherlands.
On the track, Abdosh ran 27:04.92 for 10,000 meters in Hengelo in May of 2007. He has also run 12:56 for 5000 meters, a personal best he set in 2009.
ALLAN KIPRONO – Kenya – Bib #5 ** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant – 5 seconds behind leader after B.A.A 5K
PRONUNCIATION: AL-in Kip-ROW-no
AGE: 22 (February 15, 1990)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:42
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Allan Kiprono, who only began running professionally in the last few years, placed 2nd at the 10th Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon in 2010. After a late bid for the win, Kiprono finished behind John Korir. They were both timed at 1:02:21.
Kiprono set his 10K personal best at the 2010 TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K, where he placed second in 27:42. He placed 5th at the same race last year in 28:12. At the 2010 Frankfurt Marathon, Kiprono ran an impressive 1:29:12 through the first 30K, before eventually dropping out of the race.
Kiprono has run well so far in 2012. On April 1, he set a new course record at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run of 45:15. At the 4th annual B.A.A. 5K, he placed fifth in 13:48. He went on to win the Bolder Boulder 10K in 29:53. Most recently, he won the Bellin Run on June 9, running 29:04 and beating the second place finisher by just over a minute.
Kiprono is participating in the 2012 B.A.A. Distance Medley. He is currently 3rd on the leaderboard, but sits only 5 seconds behind the men’s leader, Sam Chelanga, of Kenya.
LANI RUTTO – Kenya – Bib #6 ** B.A.A. Distance Medley participant – 3 seconds behind leader after B.A.A 5K
PRONUNCIATION: LAH-nee ROO-toe
AGE: 23 (March 29, 1989)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:35
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Lani Rutto notched some impressive road race performances in 2011. He was 6th at the Bolder Boulder 10K in May, and then was the runner-up at the Bellin Run, finishing in 29:04. At the Bix 7 in Iowa, he placed 3rd and ran 33:09. In August, he ran 28:25 to place 6th at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K.
At the 2012 B.A.A. 5K, Rutto placed 3rd in 13:46, a new personal best for him on the roads. At this June’s Bellin Run, he placed 2nd behind fellow B.A.A. Distance Medley participant and Kenyan countryman, Allan Kiprono. Rutto’s time for the 10K race, run in hot and humid conditions, was 30:05.
SAM NDEREBA – Kenya – Bib #7
PRONUNCIATION: Sam Deh-RAY-buh
AGE: 35 (February 2, 1977)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:01 (28:31.2 for 10,000m)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Sam Ndereba has enjoyed several years of road racing success. In 2006, he set his half marathon personal best of 1:01:50 in Philadelphia. The following year, he won the Azalea Trail Run in a personal best of 28:01.
In 2010, Ndereba had an 8th place showing at the NYC Half Marathon, followed by a 3rd place finish at the Azalea Trail Run, where he ran 28:43. Last year, Ndereba ran 22:42 for 2nd place at the Alliant Energy 8K. He was runner-up at the Buffalo Subaru 4M for the second straight year, before going on to win the Rothman Institute 8K in 23:44. At the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon, he placed 11th and finished in 1:02:08.
More recently, Ndereba placed 7th in the Ottawa 10K, running 29:32. At the Shelter Island 10K in New York, he ran 29:45, good enough for 3rd place.
Sam Ndereba also placed 5th at the inaugural B.A.A. 10K last year with a time of 29:01. He placed 4th at the 2011 B.A.A. Half Marathon, running 1:04:01. His sister, Catherine Ndereba, is a four-time Boston Marathon champion (2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005) and the race’s first female Kenyan winner.
SIMON NDIRANGU – Kenya – Bib #8
PRONUNCIATION: SI-mon Dih-RAN-goo
AGE: 26 (November 1, 1985)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:49 (27:31.29 for 10,000m)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
In 2010, Ndirangu won the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in Charlston, SC, setting a personal best of 27:49. That year, he had success over 5K, placing 5th at the Carlsbad 5000 in 13:40 and winning the Chris Thater 5K in 13:52.
2011 was a similarly successful year for Ndirangu. He placed 2nd at the Cooper River Bridge Run in 29:01. He recorded wins at the Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K (33:58) and the Newport 10,000 (28:45). Ndirangu placed 5th at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in 28:19. At last year’s inaugural B.A.A. 10K, he ran 29:30, good for 7th place.
Ndirangu has raced well thus far in 2012. He placed 3rd at the Ottawa 10K in 28:38. This June, he has notched victories at the Shelter Island 10K (28:38) and the Litchfield Hills Road Race in Connecticut. There, he ran 34:21, beating Sam Ndereba by 7 seconds over the 7.04-mile course.
PHILIP LANGAT – Kenya – Bib #9
PRONUNCIATION: FILL-ip LAN-got
AGE: 22 (April 23, 1990)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:28
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
A young talent, Philip Langat will look to prove he can run with the world’s best at the B.A.A. 10K. He began his career on the Kenyan junior cross country circuit with little success. In 2010, he made a breakthrough, winning the Administration Police National Cross Country Championships. Since then, he has primarily competed in road races.
Langat ran a series of Dutch road races in 2011, with great success. In June of 2011, he placed fifth at the Zwolle Half Marathon in a personal best time of 1:01:56. He went on to win the Singelloop Utrecht 10K in September, setting a personal best of 27:28. Langat was also a winner at the LCM Montferland Run, setting a new personal best of 42:34 at 15K. In the process, he defeated world class runners, including Kenya’s Abel Kirui, the 2009 and 2011 gold medalist at the World Marathon Championships.
ABDERRAHIME BOURAMDANE – Morocco – Bib #10
PRONUNCIATION: Ahb-der-ah-HEEM BORE-ahm-dah-nee
AGE: 34 (January 1, 1978)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 29:15 (29:53.21 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Abderrahime Bouramdane is a veteran road race competitor who specializes in the marathon. He was the runner-up at the 2008 Boston Marathon, finishing behind Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, of Kenya. Bouramdane’s time was 2:09:04. That year, he went on to represent Morocco at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he placed 26th in the marathon.
In 2010, he set a personal best in the marathon of 2:07:33 at the Virgin London Marathon, placing 4th. He returned to the Virgin London Marathon in 2011 and 2012, running 2:08:42 for 7th place and 2:10:13 for 11th place, respectively. On September 4, 2011, he finished 4th at the 2011 IAAF World Marathon Championships in Daegu, South Korea. In March of 2012, he ran 1:04:28 to place 27th at the NYC Half Marathon.
In 2009, he ran his personal best 10K of 29:15 at the Healthy Kidney 10K. Just last year, he nearly matched that time, running 29:17 at the Bupa Great Manchester Run.
AHMED BADAY – Morocco – Bib #11
PRONUNCIATION: AH-med Buh-DIE
AGE: 38 (January 12, 1978)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 27:56 (27:48.55 for 10,000m)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Ahmed Baday is a veteran distance runner who has been competing internationally for many years. In the short course (4030 meters) at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2003, Baday placed 15th. In 2007, he placed 18th in the Senior Race. Baday ran personal bests of 13:03.82 for 5000 meters and 7:34.94 for 3000 meters in July of 2007 before beginning his road racing career in 2008.
In 2009, he established a personal best at the half marathon distance, running 1:01:03 at the Rabat Half Marathon in Morocco. At the 2009 Mediterranean Games, Baday won the gold medal in the half marathon, running 1:04:06.
In 2011, he won the Beppu-Ōita Marathon in Japan with a time of 2:10:14. It was his first marathon victory. He started off 2012 with another personal best, running 27:56 to win the Taroudant 10K in March. He notched another personal best in April, placing 6th at the Daegu International Marathon in 2:09:16.
PETER KOSGEI – Kenya – Bib #12
PRONUNCIATION: PEE-tur KOSS-gee
AGE: 26 (February 28, 1986)
10K PERSONAL BEST: Debut
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
A native of the Rift Valley in Kenya, Peter Kosgei arrived at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY via the Kenya Scholar-Athlete Program. Kosgei went on to become one of the greatest athletes in Hamilton College history. He won 9 NCAA Division III national titles and holds 11 Hamilton College school records. His school records include a 14:26.66 best at 5000 meters (indoors) and an 8:43.78 showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Last March, while visiting family in Eldoret, Kenya, he was brutally mugged, suffering two broken legs and a broken arm. He has since recovered and is running competitively once again.
On April 6, 2012, he ran 14:36.91 for 5000 meters. On May 6th, 2012, he won the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce Bridge Run Half Marathon in 1:07:52.
LANDON PEACOCK – United States – Bib #15
PRONUNCIATION: LAN-din PEE-cahk
AGE: 24 (November 17, 1987)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 30:14 (28:53.17 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
In Landon Peacock’s five years at the University of Wisconsin, the Badgers placed in the top 5 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships 4 times. In 2008 and 2010, Landon took home NCAA All-American honors in cross country. He was also the 2010 Big Ten conference champion in cross country.
Peacock now runs professionally with the North Carolina-based ZAP Fitness team. In his first fall with ZAP Fitness in 2011, he set a new personal best in the 10,000 meters of 28:53.17. He also placed 2nd at the 2011 Manchester Road Race in Connecticut, running 21:39 for the roughly 4.75-mile race.
On December 31, 2011, Peacock won the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, covering the 4-mile course in 18:35. So far in 2012, he competed in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country – International Challenge in Scotland and won the Ras na heireann IAAF Cross Country Grand Prix in Ireland.
CHRIS CLARK – United States – Bib #16
PRONUNCIATION: Chris Clark
AGE: 26 (July 16, 1985)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:41.65 for 10,000 meters
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
A star runner at California University of Pennsylvania, Chris Clark was a 5-time NCAA Division II All-American. During his senior season, he was the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Cross Country and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
In January of 2010, Clark ran a personal best time of 1:04:38 for 16th place at the USA Half Marathon Championships. That April, he ran a personal best of 13:51.21 for 5000 meters. Since July 2010, Clark has been running professionally for the ZAP Fitness team.
In 2011, as a member of ZAP Fitness, he set personal bests in the 10,000 meters (28:41.65) and at 10 miles (48:21). He was 10th at the 2011 USA 20K Championships, running 1:02:26. He is also a 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier.
COLE ATKINS – United States – Bib #17
PRONUNCIATION: Cole AT-kins
AGE: 26 (November 21, 1985)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 29:20.77 for 10,000 meters
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Unlike most of the elite athletes in this field, Cole Atkins only began competitive running in 2008. At High Point University in North Carolina, Atkins was a four-year soccer player before joining the track & field team in 2008.
In his only race of the 2009 outdoor track & field season, he ran 14:30.08 for 5000 meters at the Raleigh Relays. Granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, Atkins was able to run the 2009 – 2010 track & field season, during which he ran personal bests of 14:17.66 for 5000 meters (indoors) and 29:20.77 for 10,000 meters. That 10,000-meter time, which remains his personal best, was run in his debut at the distance.
In 2010, Atkins joined the North Carolina-based ZAP Fitness team. On November 13, 2010, he ran a personal best time of 23:18 for 8K.
While at High Point University, he earned an undergraduate degree in International Business in 2008 and a Master’s of Business Administration in 2010.
TIM RITCHIE – United States – Bib #18
PRONUNCIATION: Tim RICH-ee
AGE: 24 (August 7, 1987)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 29:28 (28:37.20 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Tim Ritchie is a star member of the Boston Athletic Association Running Club. In the spring of 2011, he set personal bests at 5000 meters (13:53.55) and 10,000 meters (28:37.20).
Ritchie has run many memorable races in Boston. At the 2011 B.A.A. 10K, he placed 10th in 30:26. At the 2011 B.A.A. Half Marathon, he placed 7th, with a time of 1:05:29. He was the top American finisher at both races. At the 2012 Boston University Terrier Classic, he broke the 4-minute-mile barrier, running 3:58.49. This April, he placed 4th at the B.A.A. Invitational Mile.
Other highlights from 2012 include a 3rd place finish at the USA 15K Championships (44:41) in March and a 5th place showing at the USA Half Marathon Championships (1:03:57) on June 16.
Ritchie graduated from Boston College in 2009. He returned for a master’s degree and a fifth year of eligibility, graduating in 2010. The Worcester, MA native and Brighton, MA resident is now an assistant coach for the Boston College men’s track & field team.
CHRIS BARNICLE – United States – Bib #19
PRONUNCIATION: Chris BAR-nik-uhl
AGE: 25 (March 31, 1987)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 28:10.59 for 10,000 meters
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Born in Boston and raised in Newton, MA, Chris Barnicle is a 2005 graduate of Newton North High School. At Newton North, Barnicle was a Nike Athlete of the Year, USA Today All-USA Track & Field team honoree, and Track & Field News All-American.
Barnicle competed collegiately for the University of Arkansas and the University of New Mexico, where he was a two-time NCAA All-American specializing in the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters.
In 2011, Barnicle placed 13th at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon in 1:02:43. A few weeks later, he placed 7th at the Medtronic TC 10 Mile in 47:06. This April, Barnicle ran 13:42.46 for 5000 meters at Stanford University’s Payton Jordan Invitational. On June 16, 2012, he placed 5th at the Steamboat Classic 4 Mile, running 18:20.
The Newton, MA native now lives and trains in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
NATE JENKINS – United States – Bib #20
PRONUNCIATION: Nate JEN-kins
AGE: 31 (October 6, 1980)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 29:33 (29:59.46 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Following a strong career at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Nate Jenkins began more intense training, logging up to 140 miles per week.
One of the major highlights of Jenkins’ career came in 2007, when he placed 7th and ran 2:14:56 at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. That time remains his personal best. In 2009, he represented the United States at the IAAF World Marathon Championships.
At the 2012 B.A.A. 5K, he placed 15th overall, running 14:32. He set his 10K personal best of 29:33 at the 2010 TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, ME.
RUBEN SANCA – Cape Verde – Bib #21
PRONUNCIATION: ROO-bin SANG-ka
AGE: 25 (December 13, 1986)
10K PERSONAL BEST: 29:58 (29:49.48 for 10,000 meters)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Ruben Sanca was born in Cape Verde and resides in Dracut, MA. Now a dual citizen, he came to the U.S. in 1999. He graduated from John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science in Roxbury, MA and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he was a standout runner.
On the track, his personal bests are 13:56.46 for 5000 meters (indoors) and 29:49.48 for 10,000 meters. Sanca has found more success on the roads. He won the 2011 New Bedford Half Marathon in 1:05:26. On April 10, 2011, he placed 17th and ran 2:18:47 at the Rotterdam Marathon. It was his debut at that distance. That summer, Sanca represented Cape Verde at the IAAF World Marathon Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
In his native Cape Verde, Ruben Sanca holds national records at 5K (14:10), 5 miles (23:51), 10 miles (50:22), and the marathon (2:18:47).