by Marc Markowitz

        Five individuals who made significant impacts in the world of distance running were the first inductees
        Saturday into the newly established National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, N.Y.

        Three great champions--Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter and Joan Benoit Samuelson--and two pioneers
        in American distance running--Ted Corbitt and Kathrine Switzer--were elected to the class of '98.
        All but Benoit Samuelson were on hand for the induction ceremonies at Hamilton College.

        Rodgers, the four-time winner of the Boston and New York City Marathons, is still running
        competitively in distance events. Rodgers was the No. 1 marathoner in the world in 1975, 1977 and
        1979.

        He and Shorter, the 1972 Olympic gold medalist in the marathon and 1976 silver medalist, are
        considered the two individuals most instrumental in sparking the running boom of the 1970s. Shorter,
        a five-time national 10,000-meter champion, has done extensive television commentary for four
        major networks.

        Benoit Samuelson is the only American woman to ever win a gold medal in the marathon. At the
        1984 Games, when she entered the stadium in first place in and later circled the Los Angeles track
        carrying an U.S. flag during her victory lap, she captured the hearts of her fellow citizens and inspired
        countless women. She still holds the American record of 2:21:21 for the marathon.

        Corbitt, 79, a physical therapist by trade, is known by those in the running community as the "Father
        of Distance Running." Corbitt was a 1952 Olympian and ran 199 marathons and ultramarathons
        before either gained popularity in this country.

        Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, in 1967. She has become one of
        the sport's most eloquent spokespersons. The 1974 New York City Marathon champion was a
        prime mover in the promotion of women's distance running and creator of the Avon Running
        Program.

        Interestingly, the selection of Utica for distance running means there are now four Hall of Fames
        headquartered in a relatively small quadrant of upper New York state--baseball in Cooperstown,
        soccer in Oneonta and boxing in Canastota.

Sunny and dry, slight breeze

Race Director: Earl Reed
 

  Men         Name (Prize Money)        Age  From    Time
  (1)   Khalid Khannouchi ($5000)        26   MAR   42:57
  (2)   Ondoro Osoro ($3500)             30   KEN   43:00
  (3)   John Korir ($2000)               23   KEN   43:08
  (4)   Mark Yatich ($1300)              24   KEN   43:19
  (5)   William Kiptum ($1000)           27   KEN   43:19
  (6)   Johannes Mabitle ($800)          30   RSA   43:22
  (7)   Peter Githuka ($600)             29   KEN   43:28
  (8)   Simon Chemoiywo ($400)           29   KEN   43:50
  (9)   Hezron Otwori ($300)             21   KEN   43:58
  (10)  Simon Rono ($200)                26   KEN   44:05
  (11)  Aurelio Miti ($100)              26   ANO   44:08
  (12)  Joseph Kamau                          KEN   44:15
  (13)  John Gwako                            KEN   44:19
  (14)  Jackson Kabiga                        KEN   44:19
  (15)  Phillimon Hanneck                     ZIM   44:21
  (16)  Joseph Kariuki                        KEN   44:22
  (17)  Mohamed Baket                         PAL   44:23
  (18)  Abel Ondeyo                           KEN   44:46
  (19)  Joshua Chelanga                       KEN   44:53
  (20)  James Bungei                          KEN   44:54
  (21)  Simon Sawe                            KEN   45:21
  (22)  James Kariuki                         KEN   45:24
  (23)  Douglas Wakiihuri                     KEN   45:30
  (24)  Charles Mulinga                       ZAM   45:42
  (25)  Gideon Mutisya                        KEN   45:50
  (26)  Aaron Gabonewe                        RSA   45:57
  (27)  Simon Morolong                        RSA   46:16
  (28)  Patrick Kiptum                        KEN   46:45
  (29)  Eddy Hellebuyck                       BEL   46:47
  (30)  Jerry Lawson                          FL    47:04
31. Peter Koech, KEN, 47:16; 32. Michael Mamo, KEN,
47:27; 33. Fouzi Aloui, NJ, 47:35; 34. Keith Stopen, MI,
47:45; 35. Martin Mondragon, MEX, 47:47; 36. Travis
Redman, VT, 47:49; 37. Elijah Kitur, KEN, 47:54; 38.
Peter Pazik, CT, 48:17; 39. Salvadore Parra, MEX,
48:24; 40. Stephan Gegman, PA, 48:29... 48. Harry
Welton, CAN, 50:14
  40+
  (1)   Peter Koech ($1000)              42   KEN   47:16
  (2)   Martin Mondragon ($500)          44   MEX   47:47
  (3)   Jon Sinclair ($300)              40   CO    48:56
  (4)   Jim Hage ($250)                  40   MD    49:29
  50+   Bill Rodgers                     50   MA    50:19
  WCH
  (1)   Tony Nogueira ($1000)            30   NJ    36:41
  (2)   Josh Brunies ($750)              18   LA    36:41
 

 Women        Name (Prize Money)        Age  From    Time
  (1)   Lornah Kiplagat ($5000)          24   KEN   50:06
  (2)   Jane Omoro ($3500)               24   KEN   50:07
  (3)   Teresa Wanjiku ($2000)           24   KEN   50:13
  (4)   Joyce Chepchumba ($1300)         27   KEN   50:46
  (5)   Nadia Prasad ($1000)             30   FRA   51:13
  (6)   Hellen Kimaiyo-Kipkoskei ($800)       KEN   51:19
  (7)   Lioudmila Alexeeff ($600)        32   CAN   51:47
  (8)   Gladys Ondeyo ($400)             21   KEN   52:17
  (9)   Marion Sutton ($300)             34   GBR   52:54
  (10)  Irina Bogacheva ($200)           37   KGZ   53:21
  (11)  Jane Welzel ($1000) m            43   CO    53:31
  (12)  Delillah Asiago ($100)           26   KEN   53:41
  (13)  Milka Jepchirchir                     KEN   53:41
  (14)  Senoria Clarke                        MD    53:51
  (15)  Eyrersalem Kuma                       ETH   53:54
  (16)  Danuta Bartosek                       CAN   53:59
  (17)  Christine Sisting                     NY    54:24
  (18)  Norah Maraga                          KEN   54:39
  (19)  Katie Dosser                          CAN   55:25
  (20)  Cindy Barber-Keeler                   FL    56:06
  (21)  Heidi Gerken                          VA    56:14
  (22)  Cindy Lauzon                          NY    56:33
25. Amy Herold, NY, 57:54.
  40+
  (1)   Jane Welzel ($1000) m            43   CO    53:21
  (2)   Cindy Barber-Keeler ($500)       40   FL    56:06
  (3)   Diane Legare ($300)              47   CAN   56:40
  (4)   S. Rae Baymiller ($250)          54   NY    59:03
  WCH
  (1)   Jessica Galli ($1000)            14   NJ    52:06
  (2)   April Coughlin ($500)            19   NY    54:22
m = Earned masters prize money only