The 27th edition of the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile Run in suburban Chicago is set to kick-off on Monday morning at 8am. Several former champions are in the field with defending men's champ Patrick Nthiwa leading the way. Nthiwa is a 2-time champion with victories in 2003 and 2001. He will be strongly challenged by fellow Kenyan Ronald Mogaka who won the 25th edition of the race in 2002. Also looking to be a strong contender is Isaac Arusei who finished 2nd at The Crim 10 Mile this past week just ahead of Nthiwa.

In the women's race, defending champion Alevtina Ivanova is not returning. Looking to capture the top spot will be 2002 Scenic 10 champ Teresa Wanjiku of Kenya. Wanjiku should have a major challenge on her hands as 2003 Berlin Marathon champion Yasuko Hashimoto from Japan is also in the field along with countrywoman Ichiyo Naganuma. Look for U.S. Olympian local resident Jenny Spangler to be right in the thick of things as she is gearing up for another run at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in October. Last year, Spangler ran very well here in preparation for Chicago where she set an American masters record (40+).

Others in the field include:

WOMEN

Janet Robertz - Shorewood, Minn. - personal best of 56:32 for 10 miles set at the 2001 Scenic 10 (a U.S. single age (42) record)

Lucie Mays-Sulewski - Fishers, Ind. - 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials marathon qualifier

Heather May - Bloomington, Ind. - 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier

MEN

Peter Tanui - Kenya (resides in Colorado) - 5th in 2003 Scenic 10 in 48:11; a PR of 29:20 for 10K; a graduate of Lubbock Christian

Jonah Rono - Kenya/Colo. - 8th in 2003 Scenic 10 in 49:08 Julius Rotich - Kenya/Des Moines, Ia. - 10th place in 2003 Scenic 10 in 49:41

Shadrack Kimeli - Kenya/Fayetteville, Arkansas - attending graduate school at Arkansas; 14:00 for 5K, former Big 12 champion in 1500 and 5000 meters; 11th in the 2001 NCAA 5000 meters

Charles Ndereba - Kenya/Philadelphia - the younger brother of former WR holder Catherine Ndereba

Julius Kiptoo - Kenya - PRs of 27:30 for 10K, 13:06 for 5K

Valentine Orare - Kenya - PRs of 27:50 - 10K, 14:12 - 5K, 1:02:50 for half-marathon Matt Thull - USA/Milwaukee, Wisc. - PRs of 28:55 for 10K, 47:54 for 10 miles; 3rd 2003 USA 10 Mile Championship

Julius Koskei Kibet - Kenya - PRs of 28:03 for 10K, 13:48 for 5K; won 2004 Broad Street 10 Mile in Philadelphia

John Kariuki - Kenya/Mich. - 2nd in 1999 Scenic 10 and 5th in 2002; 7th at Crim 10 Mile last week in 49:08; PRs of 27:18 for 10K, 2:12:51 for marathon and 46:40 for 10 miles

Andrzej Krzyscin - Poland

Matt Byrne - USA/Pa. - 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier