CARMEL, Calif. - (October 12, 2004) - The 2nd Annual Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay on Sunday, October 17, 2004 will offer an outstanding field of six elite male runners and four elite female runners.

Leading the male elites is Michael Aish, a 2004 Olympian from New Zealand in the 5000 meters. His personal records include a 27:52 in the 10,000m and a 13:21 in the 5000m, both on the track. Aish has local ties as he is coached by Team USA Monterey Bay's own Bob Sevene.

Christian Hesch is an excellent local runner from Morro Bay. Recent times and places include a 4th overall at the Heritage Banks 10K in September 2003, a 2nd in Morro Bay's Half Marathon in 2003; he also just won the Bridge to Bridge 12K held last week in San Francisco. Hesch is the fastest confirmed returning runner from last year's race as he was 2nd in 1:06:23.

Also participating in the race are two runners originally from Kenya who now live in Palo Alto: John Weru and Patrick Kamau. Weru is the winner of the Lake Tahoe Marathon 2003 - 2:35 (at altitude) and is also the winner of the San Francisco Marathon 2004 with a 2:35 time. Kamau is the winner of San Francisco Marathon 2003 with a 2:35 time as well.

Justin Patananan was the 5th place finisher in last year's Big Sur Half Marathon race with a time of 1:08:45. He also placed third at the Long Beach Half Marathon 2003 in 1:10:51. Justin currently lives in Palmdale, CA. Andrew Bartle, 27-years-old, lives in San Diego and is a member of the 2002-04 U.S. Marine Marathon Team. He owns a personal record of 2:35 from the Marine Corps Marathon.

Leading the female elites is Nicole Aish, whose personal bests include a 32:11 in the 10,000m. Aish is the NCAA Champion in the 1500m for Div II, with a mile personal best of 4:27. She is also the wife of Michael Aish, our leading male elite.

Molly Friel was an Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon and ran a 2:47 at the St. George Marathon in 2002. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and now lives in Fresno, after moving from Tucson this year.

Maria Trujillo de Rios is an Outstanding Masters Runner with a personal record of 2:28 at the 1990 Boston Marathon. More recently, the 1984 Olympian ran a 2:46:20 at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN in 2003. Trujillo de Rios lives in Los Gatos and earned a third place in the USA Masters 10K Road Championships last September in Paso Robles.

Christine Kennedy is also an Outstanding Masters Runner. Kennedy is the two-time winner of the Dublin Marathon, and she earned a 3rd place finish in the European Championships in Cross Country in 1989. She also finished second two times in the Big Sur International Marathon and she lives in Los Altos.

Nearly sold out for 2004, the inaugural Big Sur Half Marathon in 2003 did sell out at 4,000 runners and walkers. For 2004, runners from 41 states have registered for this "destination" event. One of the most breathtaking half marathon courses in the country, the Big Sur Half Marathon winds through historic Monterey and Pacific Grove, along Cannery Row and the scenic Pacific Grove coastline. The race ends at the Custom House Plaza, adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf. An additional 1,000 runners will take part in the Run Forrest Run 5K, beginning and finishing on Cannery Row. There will also be a one-day Health and Fitness Expo open to the public on Saturday, October 16, 2004.

More information about the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay is available at www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org and for the Big Sur International Marathon and related events at www.bsim.org.