Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, announced the recipients of its sixth annual "Heroes of Running" - an editorial and online package highlighting six inspirational individuals who use running to improve the lives of others, redefine the limits of human potential and literally make the world a better place. These six honored runners have gone above and beyond, defying expectations, breaking barriers and leading future generations of runners.

The six inspirational 2009 "Heroes of Running" include:

World Champion Distance Runner Kenenisa Bekele There is a growing number of people calling him the finest distance runner of all time and Bekele has the resume - five world track titles, three Olympic gold medals, 10 world cross-country championships and five world records. With all the titles to be had, he is now putting his winnings to good use for his hometown of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The natural-born champion plans to fund an athletics center to help inspiring young athletes train, motivate and persevere. And with Bekele as the main attraction, it looks more promising than ever. It's speculated that he's in full force training mode to beat the marathon record time of 2:03:59, currently held by fellow Ethiopian great, Haile Gebrselassie.

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