Elite Field for Philly Half-Marathon includes Bobby Curtis

Bobby Curtis, the fifth fastest US-born 10,000 meter runner in history, is making his half-marathon debut this weekend in Philadelphia. A time of 1:05:00 or fatser will qualify Curtis for the 2012 Olympic marathon trials. Here is a list of the very deep elite men's field against whom Curtis will be competing:

Matthew Kisorio, 22, Kenya, Defending champion has since lowered his PR to 60:03 and won Berlin 25K in May

Sammy Kitwara, 24, Kenya, PR of 58:58 when winning the 2009 Rotterdam half-marathon

Deriba Merga, 26, Ethiopia, 2009 Boston Marathon Champion. PR of 59:15 and has run the 2nd fastest half in 2011

Tilahun Regassa, 21, Ethiopia, PR of 59:19 set last year when he won the world’s richest half marathon in Abu Dhabi

Peter Kamais, 34, Kenya, Won the NYC half-marathon last year in a personal best of 59:53.

Markos Geneti, 27, Ethiopia, Won his debut marathon in Los Angeles earlier this year in 2:06:35

Abderrahim Goumri, 35, Morocco, A 2:05:30 marathoner, set his PR in Philadelphia last year finishing 3rd in 61:33

Jason Hartmann, 30, USA, Finished 8th at Chicago marathon last year with a time of 2:11:06

James Mwangi, 27, Kenya, PR of 60:34, holds event record at Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon

Shadrack Biwott, 26, Kenya, PR of 61:40 in 3rd behind Martin Lel & Sammy Wanjiru at ’10 Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras

McDonard Ondara, 27, Kenya, PR of 61:11 when winning the 2007 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon

Adam Goucher, 36, USA, Hoping to get the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time of 65 minutes

Julias Koskei, 29, Kenya, PR of 61:17 set in Philadelphia in 2004

Ridouane Harroufi, 30, Morocco, PR of 61:37. 3rd at Cherry Blossom and won Indianapolis Half Marathon this year

Bobby Curtis, 26, USA, Fastest American man over 10,000m this year running his debut half-marathon

Tyler McCandless, 24, USA, All-American for Penn State University in the 10,000m

Shawn Forrest, 28, Australia, PR of 61:25, won the 2011 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon

Weldon Kirui, 23, Kenya, PR of 61:10 and won the AFC Half marathon in 63:18 last month

Sage Canaday, 25, USA, Set PR of 64:32 finishing 5th at Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras, qualifying for Olympic Trials

Paul Hefferon, 25, USA, Set PR’s in all three races he’s taken part in this year. Has run 65:55 for the half-marathon

Matthew Eaton, 24, USA, Louisville grad has run 28:41.96 for 10,000m. Debut half-marathon

Abebe Yimer, 31, Ethiopia / USA, 2008 Las Vegas Marathon Champion

Gian-Paul Caccia, 25, USA, Has qualified for the Olympic Trials running a 1:04:46 at the NYC Half in March

Matthew Forys, 26, USA, Ran 1:04:56 at the NYC Half in March to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

C. Fred Joslyn, 27, USA, Winner of the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

Chris Barnicle, 24, USA, Debut half-marathon. Has run 28:10 for 10,000m on the track

Cole Atkins, 25, USA, Set the fastest 8k on the roads by an American in 2010 (23:18 – HCA Richmond 8k)

Mohamed Khadraoui, 26, USA, Moe has a personal best of 28:33 for the 10k and 13:53 for 5k

Boaz Cheboiywo, 33, Kenya, PR of 61:38 set in Philadelphia in 2008

Carl Dusen, 29, USA, Graduate of Colombia University and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier