Boston Marathon record holder to compete in Bupa Great North 10k – Sunderland.

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot a sensational winner of the Boston Marathon in April will compete at the Bupa Great North 10k - Sunderland on Sunday July 18.

Cheruiyot smashed the Boston record with a very fast time of two hours five minutes 52 seconds, which was considered an exceptional performance over one of the world's toughest marathon courses. Now the 21-year-old Kenyan who lowered the mark set by namesake Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot by an exceptional 1min 22sec four years earlier, is already being tipped as a strong contender for the 2012 London Olympic Games title. "He's no flash in the pan, just another young African runner who has got the bit between his teeth and decided to make a living as a top class road runner," said Peter Riley the elite athletes manager for the Bupa Great North 10k - Sunderland event. "He certainly raised plenty of eyebrows as his winning margin was also over a minute-and-a-half ahead of defending champion Deriba Merga, which doesn't normally happen in a World Major Marathons' labelled competition. Riley added: "Cheruiyot's progress has seen him win the less competitive but still high quality Frankfurt marathon in 2008 as a teenager and last year he was a solid fifth in Boston before this massive breakthrough. "But like every marathon runner he needs to get in some speedwork and our race fits perfectly into his schedule as he prepares himself for an autumn marathon." Cheruiyot's appearance will see him face top European distance runners, Switzerland's Viktor Rothlin a surprise bronze medallist in the 2007 World Championships marathon and Guenther Weidlinger from Austria. "Rothlin is also an experienced 10km competitor while Weidlinger is considered even better having won the 2008 Bupa Great Manchester Run and last year taking the Great Australian Run title over the distance," said Riley. "With Luis Feiteira a top Portugese athlete also in the field and Dan Robinson the Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist carrying British hopes, the field is looking very strong." Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Liz Yelling is the leading name announced for the women's event over the course starting on Wearmouth Bridge and finishing at the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland football club. The elite field will be followed by thousands of runners of all abilities with around 5000 participants expected to take on the 10km course. The day also includes the Bupa Junior Great Sunderland Run making it a great day out for all the family. Councillor Mel Speding, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy City said: “Sunderland is delighted to welcome top international athletes to our city to take part in this event. “Our city has a commitment to promoting sporting excellence and participation, and seeing these athletes in action through our city streets can only set the very best example for everyone watching or taking part.” Entries for both the Bupa Great North 10k – Sunderland and the Bupa Junior Great Sunderland Run are still open at www.greatrun.org. Ends For more information Lynsey Stephenson Lynsey.stephenson@nova-international.com 0191 2263249 07595564266 Nova International The Bupa Great North 10k - Sunderland 2010 is brought to you by event organisers Nova International in partnership with Sunderland City Council. Nova International, headed by Olympic Medallist Brendan Foster is one of the UK’s leading event management and sports marketing agencies. The company’s current brand portfolio also includes some of the biggest running events in the world all based on the Bupa Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon with over 54,000 entries. Nova International was established in 1988 and has a strong sporting pedigree. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Nova have established themselves as a market leader in the world of sports marketing and event management. For more information please visit www.greatrun.org <http://www.greatrun.org/>. Bupa Bupa is a leading international healthcare company. Established in 1947, it has over ten million customers in more than 190 countries and employs over 52,000 people around the world. Its main interests are health insurance, care homes for young disabled and older people, workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching and healthcare services in the home. While Bupa’s largest and original business is in the UK, it has significant operations around the world including Sanitas in Spain, MBF, HBA, Mutual Community in Australia, IHI in Denmark and Health Dialog in the US. Bupa also has businesses in Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Latin America. In addition, Bupa Care Services owns care homes in Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Bupa has no shareholders. We reinvest our money to provide better healthcare for our customers, helping them to live longer, happier, healthier lives. Sunderland City Council Sunderland City Council and its partners are regenerating the city, building on its assets and developing Sunderland into a place that can offer a better future for residents, visitors, students and businesses. Sunderland combines a quality environment with a smart way of working. The city is building a new image that reflects its light and airy location by the sea and its green environment, as well as its success in embracing and adapting to new technologies. To find out more go to www.sunderland.gov.uk <http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/> Alzheimer’s Society Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland are calling for runners to support them in one of the 2010 Bupa Great Runs across the country. For further details visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun <http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun> or telephone 0870 417 0192. Runners in Scotland can visit www.alzscot.org <http://www.alzscot.org/> or telephone 0845 260 0789.

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