Running USA wire 94, November 15, 2009

More than 26,000 participants in second edition under humid conditions

SAN ANTONIO - (November 15, 2009) - Gilbert Koech led a five-man Kenyan sweep of the second Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon on Sunday, notching his first marathon victory since the 2005 Las Vegas Marathon. In testing, humid conditions, Koech, 29, broke from the five-man lead pack shortly after the 19-mile mark, and was headed to victory in a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, 39 seconds.

The race began under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, but humidity hovered at over 90 percent. Notwithstanding, half-marathon winner Westly Keating and runner-up Shadrack Songok, running in their debut half-marathons, led the accompanying six marathon runners through a fast first 10 miles, reached in an aggressive time of 49:25, sub-2:10 marathon pace.

"I wasn't concerned by the early pace because I felt comfortable," said Koech, whose $17,500 first place prize equates to 1.26 million Kenyan shillings. "I'm looking forward to coming back next year to defend my title at this race."

After reaching the 10.7-mile-mark where the half-marathon and marathon courses split off from one another, the six marathon runners increasingly slowed their pace reaching the half-marathon point in 1:05:39. The pack stayed together until just after the 19 miles when Koech made his move running a 4:56 20th mile to gain an initial six second advantage over eventual third place finisher James Boit (2:15:43), which surprised his better credentialed compatriots.

Koech remained on course record pace through 25 miles, but he began to suffer the effects of the fast early miles and rising temperatures. It was a difficult second half as Koech ran a split of 69:00 with a 5:45 final mile, falling just three seconds shy of the course record. However, none of his challengers including runner-up Laban Moiben (2:15:21) had the firepower to close the gap that Koech had built.

"I didn't care about the time; winning was awesome. It's been a struggle living in America with little money," said Koech, whose injuries over the last two years had been misdiagnosed and eventually cost sponsorship contracts.

He is married to two-time Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Champion Edna Kiplagat, who was planning to run in San Antonio but was unable to due to visa difficulties.

Washington's Drew Polley was the top American, placing eighth in 2:20:59 in his debut marathon.

In the women's race, Tatiana Pushkareva of Russia won in a time of 2:30:30, over four minutes ahead of countrywoman Svetlana Ponomorenko, 40, who finished second in 2:34:57. It was the second Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series victory of the year for Pushkareva (left, PhotoRun), who also won the Country Music Marathon in April.

"After we hit the half-marathon I was confident; I was running my pace," said Pushkareva, who finished fourth last year in San Antonio. "I love the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon."

Polish Olympian Dorota Gruca finished third in 2:36:07, while Russia's Albina Gallymova, 45, was fourth (2:40:38). Kenya's Evelyn Lagat rounded out the top five finishers in 2:42:28.

"I felt I ran well today," said Gruca, who represented Poland in the marathon at last year's Beijing Olympics. "I'm looking forward to running faster in my next marathon. It was a little lonely with no one really in front or behind me during the race. Finishing on the podium was my goal and I achieved it."

Becca Prichard of Charleston, SC was the top American woman, finishing in seventh place (2:52:51).

The event - marathon and half-marathon - had nearly 26,500 starters from all 50 states and 23 countries. Temperatures were in the mid-60s at the start line, a stark contrast from the extreme cold that greeted runners in 2008, the event's inaugural year. The first hour and 50 minutes of the race were held under cloudy skies, with the sun only coming as the winners crossed the finish.

The third Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon is set for Sunday, November 14, 2010.

2nd Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon
San Antonio, TX, Sunday, November 15, 2009

MEN
1) Gilbert Koech (KEN), 2:14:39, $17,500
2) Laban Moiben (KEN), 2:15:21, $8000
3) James Boit (KEN), 2:15:43, $4000
4) Joseph Mutinda (KEN), 2:16:00, $2000
5) Noah Talam (KEN), 2:17:43, $1500

WOMEN
1) Tatiana Pushkareva (RUS), 2:30:30, $17,500
2) Svetlana Ponomorenko, 40, RUS, 2:34:57, $8500
3) Dorota Gruca (POL), 2:36:07, $4000
4) Albina Gallymova, 45, RUS, 2:40:38, $2250
5) Evelyne Lagat (KEN), 2:42:28, $1500

More event results at: http://san-antonio.competitor.com

Event record field of 15,723 highlights 32nd edition; first-ever Runner's World Marathon Challenge

RICHMOND, Va. - (November 14, 2009) - Jynocel Basweti, 22, of Kenya took first place on Saturday morning at the 32nd SunTrust Richmond Marathon for the second consecutive year in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 28 seconds, beating his 2008 finish time by four minutes, while countrywoman Salome Kosgei, 29, who entered at the last minute, surprised spectators with her 26.2 mile debut victory in 2:40:51.

In the second McDonald's Half Marathon, two new course records were set as Nicholas Kurgat, 30, of Kenya won the men's division in 1:06:02 and Ethiopian Alemtsehay Misganaw, 29, defended her race title in 1:16:34, a two minute improvement from last year's time.

In the accompanying HCA Virginia 8K, Elkanah Kibet, 23, of Kenya and Teyba Naser, 23, of Ethiopia were the race champions in 22:47 and 26:31 respectively.

An all-time record of 15,723 runners participated in this weekend's events. The SunTrust Richmond Marathon and the McDonald's Half Marathon both drew record-breaking number of event entries - 5,188 and 5,572 respectively. The HCA Virginia 8K had a total of 4,564 runners, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch Kid's Run on Friday evening drew in 399 participants.

Among the SunTrust Richmond Marathon registrants were more than 200 participants in the first-ever Runner's World Marathon Challenge. The Marathon Challenge is an exclusive 16-week training plan created by Runner's World's Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso. All 14 of the magazine's editors also ran in Saturday's marathon.

On top of an all-time high number of participants, spectators also crowded the streets cheering and handing out water and snacks to the runners. "The atmosphere is great. The bands and people cheering along the way really do make a difference," said McDonald's Half Marathon participant Trish Tait of Fredericksburg, Va.

Good friends Bob Curtin, Jr., Hampton, Va., and Gladys Sopko, Williamsburg, Va., also participated in the McDonald's Half Marathon. Sopko, a first-time participant running in honor of her two granddaughters, said, "I loved it! I would rate it a 10."

"We danced at all the music stops. We got a workout just dancing," said Curtin.

The 2010 SunTrust Richmond Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 13.

32nd SunTrust Richmond Marathon
Richmond, VA, Saturday, November 14, 2009

MEN
1) Jynocel Basweti (KEN), 2:18:28, $2500
2) Michael Wardian (USA / VA), 2:25:13, $1500
3) Tim Young (USA / VA), 2:25:19, $750
4) Tom Haxton (USA / PA), 2:28:18, $500
5) Jon Molz (USA / VA), 2:28:33, $250

WOMEN
1) Salome Kosgei (KEN), 2:40:51, $2500
2) Divina Jepkogei (KEN), 2:44:25, $1500
3) Ilona Barvanova (RUS), 2:47:04, $750
4) Emily Ward (USA / VA), 2:58:48, $500
5) Kate Hudson Walker (USA / VA), 2:59:45, $250

2nd McDonald's Half Marathon
MEN
1) Nicholas Kurgat (KEN), 1:06:02*, $1000
2) Jared Abuya (KEN), 1:08:26, $500
3) Matthew Barresi (USA / VA), 1:08:38, $250
4) Jay Wyss (USA / VA), 1:09:00, $150
5) David Moore (USA / PA), 1:10:51, $100
*course record (previous record, 1:06:50, Derese Deniboba (ETH), 2008)

WOMEN
1) Alemtsehay Misganaw (ETH), 1:16:34*, $1000
2) Elena Orlova (RUS), 1:16:59, $500
3) Maria Busienei (KEN), 1:17:56, $250
4) Sara Petrick (USA / FL), 1:20:03, $150
5) Elizabeth Knize (USA / VA), 1:21:16, $100
*course record (previous record, 1:18:34, Alemtsehay Misganaw (ETH), 2008)

20th HCA Virginia 8K
MEN
1) Elkanah Kibet (KEN), 22:47, $1000
2) Peter Matelong (KEN), 22:50, $500
3) Julius Kogo (KEN), 22:55, $250
4) Julius Kiptoo (KEN), 23:19, $150
5) Kipyegon Kirui (KEN), 23:24, $100

WOMEN
1) Teyba Naser (ETH), 26:31, $1000
2) Hellen Jensutai (KEN), 26:57, $500
3) Alissa McKaig (USA / NC), 27:33, $250
4) Jessica Minty (USA / NC), 27:57, $150
5) Tatyana Mironova, 41, RUS, 28:57, $100

Deeper results at: www.richmondmarathon.com

Near-perfect racing conditions made for great action, fast times and a memorable experience for 5,500 finishers

MONTEREY, Calif. - (November 15, 2009) - At the 7th Big Sur Half Marathon on Sunday, Stephen Muange, from Kenya, led the event's largest elite field ever to win in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 37 seconds, the second fastest performance at the event.

A tight pack of elites, including Muange, Ezkyas Sisay (ETH), Crosby Freeman (CA), Sergio Reyes (CA), Josh Spiker (CA) and Moses Kororia (KEN) tore through the first two miles in 9:57, a fast pace that would hold steady. Near three miles, Muange and Sisay pulled away from the other hopefuls, opening a 26 second lead by mile 4.

On the event's steepest hill rising into downtown Pacific Grove, Muange, 28, powered ahead to put away Sisay, his final challenger. A 4:38 fifth mile ended any questions about the winner of this year's event. As Muange continued his solo race, Reyes slowly reeled in Sisay, eventually setting up an all out sprint to the finish for second place. Sisay, a native Ethiopian who now trains in Flagstaff, AZ, finished second in 1:05:25 and Reyes took third one second later in 1:05:26. Kororia, exhausted from a 26 hour flight from Kenya, held on for fourth in 1:06:32, while Freeman was fifth (1:06:43).

The female competition was a four women battle until the turnaround point just before mile 8. Mary Akor (CA), the 2005 Big Sur International Marathon champion, Lauren Johnson (OR), Fiona Docherty (NZL) and Peris Chumba (KEN) jostled for position while drafting behind some fast male runners. Akor, originally from Nigeria, made her move just past the turnaround and pulled away to win by almost one minute in 1:15:55. Docherty, a native New Zealander, who now trains in Boulder, CO with running legend Steve Jones, finished second in 1:16:37. Johnson moved up one spot from last year's fourth place finish to take third in 1:17:04. Chumba, a Kenyan who now trains in Aurora, CO took fourth in 1:17:47. Former Carmel, CA resident (now of San Francisco, CA) Brooke Wells finished fifth (1:19:24).

In the Masters race, Kevin Sheehy of Boise, ID, dominated the 40 and older crowd with a new Masters course record of 1:10:29. This mark shattered Fred Arapmayiek's 2006 record of 1:12:00 by over a minute and a half. Todd Booth of Santa Barbara, CA, was runner-up in 1:14:22 and four-time Masters champion Jeff Magallanes from Seaside placed third (1:16:55).

Magdalena Visser and Mary Coordt waged a good battle for the women's Masters crown with Visser of San Francisco, CA, taking the title in 1:20:13. Coordt (Elk Grove, CA), a two-time Big Sur International Marathon champion, who recently turned 40, took second in 1:20:27. Melinda DiNapoli of Saratoga, CA, was the third Master (1:27:07).

With a backdrop of clear skies, crashing waves along the Pacific shoreline and a cool, but sunny morning, the day was picture perfect for the 5,500 finishers in the half-marathon, 10 mile walk and 5K. The Eighth Presentation will take place on November 14, 2010 with registration opening on April 1, 2010.

7th Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay
Monterey, CA, Sunday, November 15, 2009

MEN
1) Stephen Muange (KEN), 1:03:37, $2000
2) Ezkyas Sisay (ETH), 1:05:25, $1000
3) Sergio Reyes (USA / CA), 1:05:26, $800
4) Moses Kororia (KEN), 1:06:32, $600
5) Crosby Freeman (USA / CA), 1:06:43, $400
6) Josh Spiker (USA / CA), 1:07:03, $200
7) Kevin Peters (USA / ID), 1:08:31, $200
8) Matt Tyrrell (USA / CA), 1:09:40, $50

MASTERS MEN (40+)
1) Kevin Sheehy, 40, ID, 1:10:29, $500
2) Todd Booth, 40, CA, 1:14:22, $300
3) Jeff Magallanes, 47, CA, 1:16:55, $100

WOMEN
1) Mary Akor (USA / CA), 1:15:55, $2000
2) Fiona Docherty (NZL), 1:16:37, $1000
3) Lauren Johnson (USA / CA), 1:17:04, $800
4) Peris Chumba (KEN), 1:17:47, $600
5) Brooke Wells (USA / CA), 1:19:24, $400
6) Magdalena Visser, 41, CA, 1:20:13, $200
7) Mary Coordt, 40, CA, 1:20:27, $200
8) Jenny Wilson (USA / CA), 1:23:11, $50

MASTERS WOMEN (40+)
1) Visser, see above, $500
2) Coordt, see above, $300
3) Melinda DiNapoli, 40, CA, 1:27:07, $100

Full results at: www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org/results.htm

"Brooks Running Club" allows members to share all facets of their running life online

BOTHELL, Wash. - (November 11, 2009) - Leading running company Brooks Sports, Inc. has announced the official launch of its Brooks Running Club application for members of Facebook, the world's largest social network.

The Brooks Running Club application is available now for download on Facebook. It enables any running enthusiast to share his or her personal running progress, connect with other local runners, inspire others to run and even win Brooks footwear and apparel.

"At Brooks, we invite everyone to experience the joy of running," said Dave Larson, Brooks VP of Marketing. "We're excited to extend that invitation to the Facebook community and give members the chance to come together online and 'Run Happy'."

As members of the Brooks Running Club, users can:
* Share Running Progress: Post running goals, daily mileage, PRs, race results and upcoming events to your Facebook profile page
* Connect with Other Runners: Find running buddies in your local area, form running teams, host running-themed events
* Inspire Others: Throw a water bottle, share a gel, present a trophy, and send fun Superpokes to help spread Brooks' 'Run Happy' vibe!
* Win Prizes: Members have access to periodic free drawings for Brooks shoes and running gear

"In creating the Brooks Running Club application, we wanted to give runners a way to come together, encourage each other and share their passion for the sport. What better platform to achieve that through than Facebook?" said Meredith Han, Brooks Director of Online Marketing. "One of the most exciting opportunities is to create online training groups for upcoming races, where racers from all over the world can share training and nutrition advice, injury prevention tips, and then meet for the first time on race day after months of online interaction."

To download the Brooks Running Club application for Facebook, visit http://apps.facebook.com/brooksrunningclub. The Brooks Running Club was created in association with Ascentium, a Bellevue, Washington-based interactive agency.

For more information about Brooks or to purchase Brooks footwear, apparel or accessories, go to: www.brooksrunning.com