19th annual Mayor's Cup to be held Sunday at Franklin Park

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 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	Women
2007	Boston Athletic Association	RIADHA/Shoes 4 Africa
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 Club