NEW YORK CITY, November 7, 2011 — Emmanuel Mutai
of Kenya and Liliya Shobukhova of Russia have been crowned champions of
the 2010-2011 World Marathon Majors series, and both were presented
$500,000 USD for their respective accomplishments today in New York
City.

Emmanuel Mutai accumulated 70 points over the two-year series with a win at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon and three runner-up performances (ING New York City Marathon
in 2010 and 2011; Virgin London Marathon in 2010). The men’s title came
down to the final miles in the final event of the series — yesterday’s
ING New York City Marathon — as Emmanuel Mutai needed points from either
a first or second place performance at yesterday’s race when it became
clear Geoffrey Mutai (no relation) would win the race. He was second.

“The World Marathon Majors are the best events and have the strongest
fields,” said Emmanuel Mutai. “The series includes races over a
two-year period, and to earn the most points over that time and win the
series is very difficult so I am proud of my achievement. I came to New
York [this weekend] in the lead for the series, knowing that I needed
to be at least among the top 3. When I realized that I would be second
in the race, I knew this meant that I had won in the final standings.
Yes, I was very much thinking about the World Marathon Majors during the
race.”

Shobukhova secured the women’s title in October when she won the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
and set an insurmountable 30-point lead in the standings. She finished
the series with 90 points, also having posted victories at the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon in 2010 and the Virgin London Marathon in 2010.
She was runner-up at the Virgin London Marathon earlier this year.
Shobukhova also won the 2009-2010 World Marathon Majors series.

“I want to thank the World Marathon Majors for its great idea to
raise awareness of the sport and its top athletes,” said Shobukhova. “The
series has helped both to identify talented runners and to place
attention on marathon running. I don’t think I would have achieved such
heights in marathoning without the series, even after many years in the
sport. Also, the World Marathon Majors has helped the best marathoners
to focus on the best events, which adds to the competition and which
surely will help anyone in their preparation for the Olympics.”

The World Marathon Majors series point structure:

1st place: 25 points; 2nd place: 15 points; 3rd place: 10 points; 4th place: 5 points; 5th place: 1 point.

The events comprising the World Marathon Majors are the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, the Virgin London Marathon, the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York City Marathon.
In years in which the IAAF World Championships or Olympic Games are
contested, the marathons from those events also may count towards
scoring in the series.

2010-2011 Series:

MEN

• 1.) Emmanuel Mutai, KEN, 70 points
• 2.) Geoffrey Mutai, KEN, 65 points
• 3.) Patrick Makau, KEN, 60 points
• 4.) Tsegaye Kebede, ETH, 51 points
• 5t.) Gebre Gebremariam, ETH, 40 points
• 5t.) Moses Mosop, KEN, 40 points

WOMEN

• 1.) Liliya Shobukhova, RUS, 90 points
• 2.) Edna Kiplagat, KEN, 60 points
• 3.) Mary Keitany, KEN, 45 points
• 4.) Bezunesh Bekele, ETH, 30 points
• 5t.) Firehiwot Dado, ETH, 25 points
• 5t.) Teyba Erkesso, ETH, 25 points
• 5t.) Aberu Kebede, ETH, 25 points
• 5t.) Caroline Kilel, KEN, 25 points
• 5t.) Florence Kiplagat, KEN, 25 points

Media Contacts:

• Boston: Jack Fleming +1 617.236.1652 ext. 2627
• London: Nicola Okey + 44 207.902.0182
• Berlin: Thomas Steffens + 49 171.933.4836
• Chicago: Robin Monsky + 1 312.992.6630
• New York: Richard Finn +1 212.423.2229

For more on the World Marathon Majors, please click on:

Worldmarathonmajors