Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of the Boston Marathon and former world record holder in the 25K, is running in the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run on August 31 in Gaithersburg, MD.

"I'm really pleased to be racing in this 5K. It sounds like a terrific not-too-big, not-too-small type of community event," said Rodgers, 53, a 1976 Olympian who set the American marathon record of 2:09.27 in 1975.

Though he earned the nickname "Boston Billy" after his victories in Boston from 1975-80, Rodgers also won the New York City Marathon four times from 1976-79.

Race organizers say having a celebrity runner join the field will help the 5K cement its reputation as one of best races in Montgomery County.

"Having someone of Bill Rodgers' stature really helps raise the profile of the race," says co-race director, Cindy Van den Beemt. "His participation also helps establish the race as not only a fun, community event, but as a race for serious athletes."

Rodgers, who still owns American records in both the open and masters (over age 40) categories at several distances, said he hopes to win his age group (50-54) with a time in the 16-minute range over the 3.1-mile course.

Rodgers owns the Bill Rodgers Running Center in Boston, writes books on running, and lives with his fiancee in Sherborn, MA.

Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run and Kids Run Runs will be held on Saturday, August 31, at 8:00 AM in Gaithersburg, MD. The race starts and finishes at Market Square in Lakelands.

Register online at www.kentlands.org.