RUNNING USA – Rowbury, Laalou Win Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile – Close finishes mark both professional races at 30th running down famed New York City thoroughfare; nearly 4,000 overall finishers

NEW YORK – (September 26, 2010) – Finishing off their 2010 outdoor seasons in fine style, Shannon Rowbury of the United States and Amine Laalou of Morocco were victorious at the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile on Sunday. Rowbury (4:24.12) defended her 2009 title with a surge in the final meters that relegated fellow Americans Sara Hall and 2006 race champion to second place (4:24.34) and Erin Donohue to third (4:24.40).

Laalou, competing in New York for the first time, ran 3:52.83 to beat out 2007 IAAF World Championships 1500m and 5000m gold medalist Bernard Lagat of the United States, who finished second (3:53.30), and defending champion Andy Baddeley of Great Britain (3:53.34), who was third.

"I knew coming out today that I was going to have to bring every game I had," said Rowbury, 26, the 2009 IAAF World Championships 1500m bronze medalist. "We have such a talented group of American middle-distance women right now. I'm proud to be a part of it and it makes me a better athlete." The 2008 Olympian (left, NYRR) set personal records this year at 800m, 3000m and 5000m.

Laalou, 28, who ran a mile PR of 3:50.22 earlier this year, dedicated his victory to his first child, a daughter born earlier this month. "New York is a wonderful city," he said through a translator. "I would love to come here again."

The race showed a fine return to form for U.S. mile record holder Alan Webb, who finished fourth in 3:53.72. The 27-year-old had Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year and moved to Portland, OR, to train under Alberto Salazar. "This was a big-boy race here today, and I'm just really glad I was in it," said Webb, a 2008 Olympian.

It was the 30th running of the Fifth Avenue Mile, an event inaugurated in 1981 by the New York Road Runners to give middle distance stars a chance to shine on New York City's most famous thoroughfare. An elite-only race in its early years, the event now includes more than a dozen age group heats in addition to the world class races, and on Sunday, nearly 4,000 finished the mile race from different heats.

30th Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile
New York, NY, Sunday, September 26, 2010

MEN
1) Amine Laalou (MAR), 3:52.83, $5000
2) Bernard Lagat (USA / AZ), 3:53.30, $3500
3) Andy Baddeley (GBR), 3:53.34, $2500
4) Alan Webb (USA / OR), 3:53.72, $1500
5) Leonel Manzano (USA / TX), 3:54.17, $1000
6) Nick Willis (NZL), 3:54.81, $750
7) Will Leer (USA / OR), 3:55.02, $500
8) Tom Lancashire (GBR), 3:55.22, $250

WOMEN
1) Shannon Rowbury (USA / CA), 4:24.12, $5000
2) Sara Hall (USA / CA), 4:24.34, $3500
3) Erin Donohue (USA / NJ), 4:24.40, $3500*
4) Hannah England (GBR), 4:25.29, $1500
5) Molly Huddle (USA / RI), 4:25.92, $1000
6) Morgan Uceny (USA / CA), 4:26.27, $750
7) Amy Mortimer (USA / MO), 4:27.07, $500
8) Carmen Douma-Hussar (CAN), 4:27.53, $250
*includes $1000 halfway prem

Find full results, photos, heat videos and more at: www.nyrr.org

NYRRC – RUNNING USA