Originally published June 24, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 1, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Ethiopia's Berhane Adere added to Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon

Two-time Chicago Marathon winner adds speed to women's half-marathon field.

Seattle Times staff reporter

The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon just got a little faster.

Actually, quite a bit faster as Berhane Adere of Ethiopia was announced as an entrant in the women's 13.1-mile half-marathon Saturday.

Adere has won the Chicago Marathon twice as well as the prestigious Dubai Marathon. She is a former world champion in the 10,000 meters, and her personal-best time in the half-marathon is 1 hour, 8 minutes, 17 seconds.

Paul Tergat, a former world-record holder and two-time Olympic silver medalist, was already announced as part of the men's field in the half-marathon. He ran a half-marathon in 59:17 in 1998, one of the 20 fastest times recorded at that distance.

Adere and Tergat are two very prominent international runners among the field of 25,000 runners taking part in the event, about 17,500 of whom will run the half-marathon. Some of the world-class distance runners are competing in the half-marathon and not the full marathon because of where this event falls in their training schedule.

Saturday's 26.2-mile marathon will begin in Tukwila and finish at Qwest Field.

There's a chance that the full marathon will be won in state-record time. But the addition of Adere makes a record in both half-marathons likely.

Americans Mark Batres and Andy Martin lead the marathon field, but they will be pushed by three Kenyans — David Kiprop Yego, Jynocel Basweti and Zach Nymbaso.

Another American, Leah Thorvilson of Little Rock, Ark., has won two marathons this year and is considered the women's favorite.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

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