LOS ANGELES MARATHON / DAILY REPORT : Married Couple Has Chance at Winning in 5K

Aaron Ramirez and Shelly Steely are one of many married couples who will compete in the fourth annual Rogaine 5K/Los Angeles on Sunday, which is held in conjunction with the L.A. Marathon. But unlike most of the couples, both Ramirez and Steely have a shot at winning.

Both were 1992 U.S. Olympians. Ramirez competed in the men’s 10,000 meters, and Steely competed in the women’s 3,000.

Ramirez and Steely, a winner in the women’s division two years ago, are among 17 Olympians who will compete in the 5K/Los Angeles.

Jim Spivey and Steve Scott, 1992 U.S. Olympians in the 1,500, and Brian Abshire, the American record-holder in the indoor 3,000, are some of the top U.S. runners who will compete.

Two of Ireland’s 1992 Olympians in the 5,000, Frank O’Mara and John Doherty, also will compete.

Khalid Skah of Morocco, the top men’s finisher in the 1992 5K/Los Angeles with a time of 13:28, will not run this year’s race.

The women’s side will include Yvonne Murray, a bronze-medal winner for the United States in the 3,000 at the 1988 Olympics and the holder of the 1992 world-best performance in the 3,000 (8:36.93), and Annette Peters, a 1992 U.S. Olympian in the 3,000.

Sonia O’Sullivan, the top female finisher in the 1992 5K/Los Angeles with a time of 15:24, will defend her title. O’Sullivan also was a 1992 Irish Olympian.

The top male and female finishers in the 5K/Los Angeles will win $3,500 each and can earn an additional $25,000 by finishing with a world-best time. William Mutwol of Kenya has the men’s world best, 13:12, and Judi St. Hilaire of the United States and Liz McColgan of Scotland share the women’s world best, 14:57.