FALMOUTH – The 44th running of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race takes place on Sunday.
Defending champions Stephen Sambu of Kenya and Diane Nukuri of Burundi lead the deep fields of competition.
Among the athletes challenging Sambu, are Gilbert Okari of Kenya, who is the second man to win the Falmouth Road Race three years in a row.
“We’re looking forward to a nice long weekend, the weather looks great and we’re excited to kick things off,” said Falmouth Road Race General Manager Jennifer Edwards.
Looking to reclaim her 2014 crown from Nukuri is Betsy Saina of Kenya, a three-time NCAA champion from Iowa State who had the number one time in the world this year for 5000 meters indoors.
Nukuri, Saina and the USA’s Leonard Korir will travel to Falmouth after competing in the 10,000 meter race at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The New Balance Falmouth Road Race takes place on the final day of the Olympics.
Athletes will compete for a total prize of $106,000, including a first-place prize of $10,000.
The wheelchair race division starts at 8:40 a.m. and the elite women division begins at 8:50 a.m.
The elite men and open division starts at 9 a.m.
Edwards said that the annual event is a highlight of the summer.
“We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful course and the course community, we have almost 2,000 volunteers and the spectators line the course from start to finish,” said Edwards.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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