Kenyans Head the Field for Sunday’s 10K Race

Four Kenyans will lead an elite men’s field dominated by foreign runners in Sunday’s Nissan 10K.

The race, formerly known as the Buick 10K, begins at 7:45 a.m. at the corner of G Street and Fifth Avenue. It winds through downtown and finishes at the US Grant Hotel. A first prize of $4,000, from a purse of $18,000, will be awarded to the men’s and women’s winners.

Many top Americans who might have entered are recuperating after competing in the Olympic marathon trials April 24. But several other world-class runners are scheduled to participate.

Sam Ngatia of Kenya won the Cleveland Revco 10K with a time of 28 minutes 53 seconds just 10 days ago in 85-degree heat. Kenyans Paul Rugut, who has a personal best of 28:00 for the 10,000 meters, Gabriel Kamau and Sam Sitonik are also expected to run.

The top Americans entered include Terry Cotton of El Cajon, who ran 28:11 at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays three weeks ago to become one of six Americans qualified for the Olympic trials in the 10,000 meters. Ron Tabb of Pacific Beach and Dave Gordan, both of whom ran in the marathon trials, also will run.

Kellie Cathey from Little Rock, Ark., a former American track record-holder in the 10,000 meters (32:22.5), Maria Trujillo of Mexico, Gabriel Anderson of Switzerland and Gail Kingma of Seattle are among the top women scheduled to run.

For more information, call 483-9501.