Four of America’s leading long-distance runners—Meb Keflezighi, Dathan Ritzenhein, Kara Goucher, and Desiree Davila—will take on the spectacular new 13.1-mile NYC Half course on March 18.

Keflezighi, Goucher, and Davila are all members of this year’s U.S. Olympic Marathon team. Ritzenhein, who finished fourth at the marathon Trials, is preparing for June’s 10,000-meter Trials in.

Increasing the depth of the American roster for the NYC Half are talented pros Scott Bauhs, Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, Molly Pritz, Julie Culley, Jeannette Faber, and Stephanie Pezzullo.

This year’s NYC Half will feature a race-record field of 15,000 runners and a finish at South Street Seaport. WABC-TV will be airing the NYC Half live beginning at 7:00 a.m. as part of NYRR’s comprehensive television agreement with ESPN/WABC-TV. The NYC Half will again offer the largest half-marathon prize purse in the United States: $100,000. 

“We are ecstatic to welcome four of America’s brightest running stars to NYC,” said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. “New Yorkers and runners and fans everywhere will no doubt be awed as this spirited foursome races through the city streets on their ‘Road to London.’” 

Keflezighi, 36, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston on January 14. He won the ING New York City Marathon in 2009, and he’s finished in the top 10 in the Marathon a total of seven times. The silver medalist in the men’s marathon at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Keflezighi has won more than 20 USA titles in his career.

“I am happy to announce that my first race after winning the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will be the NYC Half,” said Keflezighi. “NYRR events have been a big part of my professional career, so I am very excited to start my 2012 Olympic Games buildup at the NYC Half.”

Ritzenhein, 29, of Portland, OR, ran a personal best time of 2:09:55 at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. A two-time U.S. Olympian, Ritzenhein finished second in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and went on to finish ninth—and top American—at the Beijing Games. Ritzenhein took the bronze medal at the 2009 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships, and his 60:00 finishing time there makes him the second-fastest American in history over the distance.

“Coming off the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, I need a big race to test my fitness but more importantly to turn my focus to making the Olympic 10,000-meter team, and the NYC Half is the perfect step in achieving that goal,” said Ritzenhein. “I’ve had great success at the half-marathon distance. I love racing in New York City and can’t wait to be back there in a few weeks to continue the journey to making the team for London.”

Goucher, 33, of Portland, OR, qualified for the London Olympic Marathon by placing third at the U.S. Trials in a time of 2:26:06. A native of Queens, Goucher will return to New York as a fan favorite, having placed third at last year’s NYC Half. At the 2011 Boston Marathon, Goucher finished fifth in a personal-best time of 2:24:26. At the ING New York City Marathon in 2008, she ran the fastest-ever debut marathon by an American woman—2:25:53—and finished third. The time is also the fastest ever by an American woman at the race.

“I’m looking forward to returning to NYC to run the half-marathon,” said Goucher. “I feel a special connection with NYC, and it’s always a season highlight for me when I race there.”

Davila, 28, of Rochester Hills, MI, became a member of the U.S. Olympic marathon team by finishing second in the U.S. Trials with a time of 2:25:55. Davila burst into the spotlight with her thrilling finish at the 2011 Boston Marathon, in which she battled for the win with eventual winner Caroline Kilel through the final miles and finished second by only a two-second margin. Davila’s time of 2:22:38 was the fastest ever by an American woman at the Boston Marathon.

“After the high of the Olympic Trials, followed by a bit of recovery time, it was important for me to find a race that would get me excited to compete and motivated to train hard through the spring season,” said Davila. “The strong fields that NYRR traditionally puts together, along with the thrill of running through the streets of New York, made the NYC Half the perfect opportunity.”

Other top Americans in the field:

• Scott Bauhs, 25, of Danville, CA, is a three-time NCAA Division II champion. He finished third at the 2011 USA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 meters. 
• Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, 33, of Rome, GA, finished fifth in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in a time of 2:29:45. She is the reigning USA champion at 20K, 10 miles, and 10K.
• Molly Pritz, 23, of Rochester Hills, MI, was the top American female finisher in the ING New York City Marathon 2011, finishing 12th in a time of 2:31:52.
• Julie Culley, 30, of Lebanon, NJ, was the USA 5K champion in 2011. The New Jersey native was second in the 2011 NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K. The NYC Half will be her half-marathon debut.
• Jeannette Faber, 29, of Portland, OR, finished the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in a personal-best time of 2:36:50. She finished third at the 2011 USA 25K Championships. 
• Stephanie Pezzullo, 29, of Charlotte, NC, won the 2012 Naples Daily News Half-Marathon in 1:13:12. She also won the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park on New Year’s Eve.