RunnersWeb Athletics: Burla, Mebrahtu Eye Top Prize at UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon

Race weekend features guaranteed $132,000 prize purse; deep field of Americans will compete for American Development Program bonuses totaling $40,500 at 8th edition

PITTSBURGH - Serena Burla and Yonas Mebrahtu lead deep women’s and men’s fields in the 2016 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, set for Sunday, May 1. This year’s DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events features a guaranteed $132,000 prize purse, including American bonuses totaling $40,500.

Burla, a 2013 U.S. Half Marathon champion and top-10 finisher at the 2015 IAAF World Marathon Championships, will face tough competition from her Mizuno teammate Yinhunlish Bekele, who is a 2-time DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon champion (2011 and 2013) and Ethiopian Etaferahu Temesgen with a personal best of 1:10:56. Also joining them in the field are Americans Heather Lieberg and Jennifer Bergman, with personal bests of 1:13:09 and 1:14:03, respectively.

"I am very excited to race in Pittsburgh for the first time," Burla said. "I have heard great things about the city and the event itself. My goal is to compete well and give it everything I have. Training wise, I am working on getting mentally and physically stronger each day."

On the men’s side, Mebrahtu, who finished third in last year’s UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, will compete against Kenyans Julius Kogo with a personal best of 1:01:47 and Nelson Oyugi with a personal best of 1:01:53. Top Americans in the field include Team USA Minnesota’s Rob Molke with a personal best of 1:03:27, Christian Thompson with a personal best of 1:04:31 and Kyle Dawson with a personal best of 1:04:35.

"My goal is to win the race this year," Mebrahtu said. "Last year, I finished in third place. I’ve improved this year, so I’m excited to see what I can do on race day."

For more information about the 2016 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon and DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events, visit: ThePittsburghMarathon.com

MEN’S HALF MARATHON Yonas Mebrahtu, USA, Unattached, 1:01:41 Julius Kogo, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:01:47 Nelson Oyugi, KEN, Unattached, 1:01:53 Aschalew Meketa, ETH, Unattached, 1:02:23 Desta Alemu Mokona, ETH, Unattached, 1:02:23 Kimutai Cheruiyot, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:02:45 Ayele Megersa Feisa, ETH, Unattached, 1:03:03 Rob Molke, USA, Team USA MN/Brooks, 1:03:27 Diriba Degefa Yigezu, ETH, Unattached, 1:03:34 Christian Thompson, USA, NJ/NY Track Club, 1:04:31 Kyle Dawson, USA, Bryn Mawr Running Co, 1:04:35 Tyler Jermann, USA, Team Run Flagstaff Pro, 1:07:01 Charlie Ban, USA, Georgetown Running, 1:10:10 Justin Taylor, USA, Unattached, 1:10:22 Steve Febish, USA, Falls Road Racing, 1:11:00 Phil McNeal, USA, Fleet Feet Sports, 1:12:59 Cullen Davis, USA, True Runner, Debut Steve Kirkland, USA, PGH Pharaoh Hounds, Debut

WOMEN’S HALF MARATHON Serena Burla, USA, Mizuno, 1:10:08 Etaferahu Temesgen, Unattached, 1:10:56 Hellen Jemutai, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:11:27 Susan Jerotich, KEN, MarathonGuide.com, 1:11:50 Yihunlish Bekele, USA, Mizuno, 1:12:43 Heather Lieberg, USA, Oiselle, 1:13:09 Jennifer Bergman, USA, High Performance West, 1:14:03 Brhane Regassa Menegesha, ETH, WSX, 1:14:29 Megan Wright, CAN, Unattached, 1:15:00 Heather Parks, USA, Skechers Performance, 1:15:41 Emily Hulme, USA, Unattached, 1:16:51

About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

The 2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is not just a race - it’s a journey. The race is your game - however you decide to play it. As a competitor. A fundraiser. An enthusiast. A veteran. A team player. It’s whatever you want it to be. It’s whatever you make it. It’s your game...Run it. Play it. Own it. Love it. #GameOnPGH

Organized by P3R, the 8th edition will be held April 30-May 1, 2016. For more information, go to: The PittsburghMarathon.com.

About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)

P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy, and active! Read more at P3R.org.

FACEBOOK: P3Revents TWITTER: @P3REvents.