December 2006
2 DEC | 3 DEC |
10 DEC | 12 DEC | 17 DEC |
31 DEC
2 DECEMBER 2006: REGGAE MARATHON, JAMAICA
Prize money was up for grabs in the absence of four-time winner Pamenos Ballantyne and with
no active recruitment of elite athletes writes Diane Ellis. Andrew Gutzmore, who has
competed in every Reggae Marathon since 2001, finally had his day to shine and won in 2:45.
In the women's race, Euleen Josiah-Tanner, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia ran to win and captured
the Rita Marley trophy in 3:14:03. Guyanese-born Euleen set a pace that kept her nearest
competitors in her wake from start to finish.
In the half-Marathon, Jamaica's Wainard Talbert again proved that he is tough to beat on his
home soil. Talbert surged over the last mile to close the gap on South African Tobias Philander
to make for another exciting finish. The experienced Philander observed "the course was
nice. It is good for people who want to run a fast time." Third-placer Gregory McKenzie
helped to pace Talbert through the first 10 miles of the race.
Returning female champion Tamica Thomas successfully defended her crown. A 20 year-old
student of GC Foster College, Thomas was followed by Rosemarie Alridge of Bellefield High
School and Keniesha Jones also of GC Foster College to complete a Jamaican school-girl sweep.
MEN:
1 Andrew GUTZMORE JAM 2:45:00
2 Colin GRAHAM JAM 3:05:07
3 Ralf KLEIN USA 3:06:06
4 Maxwell SMITH 3:11:05
5 Andrew ROUTH 3:24:56
6 Colin MACKENZIE 3:25:35
7 Richard MUELLER 3:26:00
8 Owen GREAVES 3:31:00
9 Robert ACOSTA 3:31:28
10 David ROWE 3:22:57
WOMEN:
1 Euleen JOSIAH-TANNER USA 3:14:03
2 Terri REJIMBAL USA 3:27:59
3 Carla ARNOLD CAN 3:30:27
4 Alexa GEMMA 3:33:18
5 Shanna TRENDLEY 3:39:19
6 Carlene BLAGROVE 3:46:02
7 Rachel PETRUSKA OLSON 3:58:40
8 Nadine HENRY 3:58:50
9 Georganna QUARLES 4:02:32
10 Patti PIOTROWSKI 4:02:47
HALF MARATHON:
MEN:
1 Wainard TALBERT 1:10:31
2 Tobias PHILANDER 1:10:50
3 Gregory MCKENZIE 1:11:19
WOMEN:
1 Tamica THOMAS 1:28:20
2 Rosemarie ALRIDGE 1:30:06
3 Keniesha JONES 1:32:27
2 DECEMBER 2006: MTN LAGOS INT'L HALF MARATHON, NIGERIA
Louisette Thobi photos
Kenyan Solomon Busendich won the 5th edition despite coming across heavy traffic on the
supposedly closed race route writes Louisette Thobi. The race attracted 48,489
registered starters, and this year was dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.
Busendich was a long way off Joseph Fabiano Naasi's course record of 62:21, but given the
conditions which the runners faced on the course the times were little more than a guide to
their efforts.
"After 14km, we met a big traffic jammed route that made us lose hope," said the
winner. "At that moment I asked myself if we had missed the way. We were losing
concentration but the most important thing was to finish the race."
Six runners quickly formed the front group, led by John Cheruyot Korir who won this race in
2004, and was second last year. Francis Kibiwott, recent winner of the Obudu Ranch
International Mountain race, upped the pace a third of the way through. Rwandan Dieudonné
Disi, Korir and Busendich were the only ones to respond. This quartet ran up to the Ahmadu
Bello Way where Korir virtually gave up.
At 13km the two remaining Kenyans accelerated to leave Disi behind. When it came down to
the final sprint, Kibiwott was found wanting, "...I was tired, he is stronger than me",
while Busendich "decided to run behind him so that I could win the sprinting stage."
The women's race was at the last minute honoured by the return of the race winner Millicent
Doadi of Ghana, who retained her title by beating the much more internationally experienced
Jennifer Chesinon, who had won in 2004.
MEN:
1 Solomon BUSENDICH KEN 1:03:18
2 Francis KIBIWOTT KEN 1:03:19
3 Dieudonne DISI RWA 1:06:17
4 John Cheruyiot KORIR KEN 1:06:51
5 Martin SULLE TAN 1:08:14
6 Wilson EKU NGR 1:08:45
WOMEN:
1 Millicent DOADI GHA 1:16:50
2 Jennifer CHESINON KEN 1:17:42
3 Maria KABANG NGR 1:28:52
Top
3 DECEMBER 2006: RUN BARBADOS MARATHON
Neighbouring St Lucia took most of the plaudits in the 24th Run Barbados series, with
evergreen Victor Ledger besting his Caribbean competition and a Kenyan challenger to slip
under 2.5 hours. Pamenos Ballantyne, from St Vincent, had opted for Barbados over Jamaica's
Reggae Marathon this year but could not quite live with Ledger's pace, as the St Lucian went
ahead over the last third of the race up the scenic west coast of Barbados.
Some way in front of him his compatriot Zepherinus Joseph had scored a commanding win in
the Half Marathon as he led a group of five away early in the race. At 11km he was feeling so
much on top of things that he took the trouble to right an upturned kilometre marking sign
before piling on the pressure that dropped all challengers. He had finished third in the
previous day's 10km race around the streets of the island capital, Bridgetown, while the
winner of that race, Henry Gituka managed a distant sixth in the half marathon.
Britain's Liz Yelling performed a similar double by finishing as runner up in the 10km to
Tatyana Chakluh and then winning the Half marathon with relative ease. The women's marathon
turned into a solo run for Gabonese-born Josiane Aboungono, now a Canadian citizen, as she
left regular contestants Sarah Williams and Kim Goff trailing.
MEN:
1 Victor LEDGER STL 2:29:49
2 Pamenos BALLANTYNE STV 2:33:32
3 Charles NYAKUNDI KEN 2:43:10
4 Stephen MARINUS STL 2:43:57
5 Ken MACALPINE CAN 2:54:07
6 Keith CUMBERBATCH BAR 2:56:30
7 Joseph CLARKE BAR 3:16:01
8 Andrew BRAITHWAITE BAR 3:17:12
9 Martin BACON GBR 3:17:31
10 Jean-Benoit JAOUEN FRA 3:18:46
WOMEN:
1 Josiane ABOUNGONO CAN 3:05:36
2 Sarah WILLIAMS GBR 3:19:33
3 Kim GOFF USA 3:44:37
4 Marylin RENWICK GRE 4:11:43
5 Janet WATSON GBR 4:14:37
6 Kim MOXLEY CAN 4:15:57
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Zepherinus JOSEPH STL 1:08:15
2 Richard KIMELI KEN 1:09:21
3 Sean WADE USA 1:09:36
WOMEN:
1 Liz YELLING GBR 1:17:36
2 Joyce CHEMATUI KEN 1:19:54
3 Amanda MAXILLIEN BAR 1:48:44
10km (2 DECEMBER)
MEN:
1 Henry GITHUKA KEN 30:28
2 Richard KEMELI KEN 30:59
3 Zepherinus JOSEPH STL 31:03
WOMEN:
1 Tatyana CHAKLUH RUS 34:10
2 Liz YELLING GBR 34:18
3 Emily CHEBET KEN 34:18
3 DECEMBER 2006: STANDARD CHARTERED SINGAPORE INT'L MARATHON, SINGAPORE
Salina Kosgei of Kenya was the star of the show, elegantly delivering the expected win and
breaking the course record by almost three minutes writes Pat Butcher. Her time was
exceptional in the conditions, 25°C heat and close to 100% humidity right from the
06.00 start.
There was another course record in the men's race—for the third year in succession—and
the first repeat winner in the history of the event, when Amos Matui of Kenya again beat
Ashebir Demissu of Ethiopia in the final stages.
Whereas Matui and Demissu made it a race right to the final kilometre, Kosgei's was
virtually a solo run to victory. She stayed with the lead group, including last year's winner,
Irina Timofeyeva of Russia, over the first 7km, before making a break.
"I was feeling quite easy, and I realised the weather conditions were good for here, so
I decided to take the lead. But I still made sure I drank lots of water," said Kosgei at
the finish, while all around her athletes were prostrate from heat exhaustion. Yet it was
relatively cool and overcast by Singaporean standards, compared to last year, for example,
when temperatures reached close to 30°C in bright sunshine. That will make her performance
a difficult one to match. She finished second in Berlin three months ago, in a personal best
of 2:23:22. Timofeyeva suffered from foot problems in the final stage, and limped across the
line. Nevertheless, she was faster than her winning time last year.
The men's race was virtually a carbon copy of last year, except that Demissu never went
clear, as he did with 10km to run in 2005. Matui caught him in the last 200 metres then. But
the Kenyan decided to make absolutely sure this year, and took off at 41km. Demissu was
philosophical about his successive second place here. "He beat me last year, he beat me
this year," he said shrugging, as if to say, 'what can I say?'. "It was still a
fantastic race, easier than last year, but still hot". The first three all three beat
Matui's course record of 2:15:57 from last year.
The second wave of popular marathoning has certainly made its mark in south-east Asia.
Overall entries for the full and half marathon, and 10km were 30% up this year, with over
30,000 runners.
MEN:
1 Amos MUTAI KEN 2:15:01
2 Ashebier DEMISSU ETH 2:15:08
3 Abel KIRUI KEN 2:15:22
4 Eric YETOR ETH 2:16:33
5 Francis KIPROP KEN 2:18:22
6 David KIPTANUI KEN 2:19:02
7 Charles YABEI KEN 2:19:34
8 Paul KIPTANUI KEN 2:20:58
WOMEN:
1 Salina KOSGEI KEN 2:31:55
2 Irina TIMOFEYEVA RUS 2:34:35
3 Emily KIMURIA KEN 2:38:37
4 Rose NYANGACHA KEN 2:39:42
5 Kotu GEMEDA ETH 2:43:40
6 Pa PA MYA 2:47:59
7 Banuelia KATESWIGA TAN 2:48:26
8 Doruta GRUCA POL 2:50:06
HALF MARATHON:
MEN:
1 Henry WANYOIKE KEN 1:20:08
2 Joseph KIBUNJA KEN 1:20:08
3 Mok YING REN SIN 1:21:13
WOMEN:
1 Trudy FAWCETT GBR 1:29:19
2 Chan KIT YEE HKG 1:32:35
3 Victoria HILL GBR 1:35:07
3 DECEMBER 2006: LISBON INT'L MARATHON, PORTUGAL
With some rain and a lot of wind the 21st edition of the Lisbon Marathon brought wins for
the two Portuguese favourites writes Antonio Manuel Fernandes. Luis Jesus took the lead
with the pacemakers and went through the half marathon in 1:05:04. But the strong wind, and a
lack of preparedness took their toll. "I was not prepared to run so fast for the first
half. My legs were not as good as I thought," said the winner who took eleven minutes
longer to cover the second half. "This was the hardest marathon of my career."
Fatima Silva achieved her fifth win in this marathon, ten minutes ahead of Dorota
Ustianowska. "After dropping out in the last European Championship, I was not able to know my
shape, so I came here without expectations. I'm glad to win here, after I got the lead at
15km."
685 runners finished in the marathon and 1252 runners in the half-marathon.
MEN:
1 Luis JESUS POR 2:21:08
2 Sebastian PANGA TAN 2:22:02
3 Manuel FERRAZ POR 2:22:21
4 Andrey BRIZGALOV RUS 2:24:40
5 Rui BELO POR 2:28:17
6 Eugenio NETO POR 2:32:41
7 Jose JARMELA POR 2:33:22
8 Custodio ANTONIO POR 2:34:18
9 Conor MCGEE IRL 2:35:02
10 Jorge REIS POR 2:37:42
WOMEN:
1 Fatima SILVA POR 2:40:00
2 Dorota USTIANOWSKA POL 2:50:54
3 M Natalia PINHO POR 3:08:33
4 M Aureliana EDMUNDO POR 3:09:43
5 Fatima KOVACS HUN 3:09:50
6 Angelique PEPER NED 3:10:54
7 Rasa PTASHEKAITE POR 3:21:22
8 Sandra ISABELINHA POR 3:27:38
9 Michelle MCCANN USA 3:29:12
10 Anna ZAUNER AUT 3:30:30
3 DECEMBER 2006: 60TH FUKUOKA INT'L OPEN MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP, JAPAN
Takefumi Tsutsui photos
Haile Gebrselassie surged away from double World Champion Jaouad Gharib and defending
champion Dmytro Baranovsky at 39km writes Ken Nakamura.
Gebrselassie's winning time was one second short of the course record, 2:06:51, set by
Atsushi Fujita in 2000.
Defending champion Baranovsky, who passed Gharib on the final approach to the finish on the
track of the Heiwadai stadium, hugely improved his personal best and national record of
2:08:29.
Toshihiko Seko, a four-time winner (in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1983) acted as starter. Samson
Ramadahni, Isaac Macharia and Fabiano Joseph were asked to pace to the turnaround at 31.6km at
3 minutes/km but in unseasonably cold weather and strong winds, the race started slowly. A huge
pack passed 5km in 15:44 but the pace quickened immediately after that point, and from then on
was steady around 3 minutes/km.
A pack of nearly 20 runners passed 10km in 30:56, 15km in 45:57, and 20km in 1:00:59. Haile
Gebrselassie, Paul Biwott, Dmytro Baranovsky and Atsushi Fujita were running just behind the
pace setters.
After halfway was passed in 1:04:18 the pace picked up some more with the following 5km
split dipping under 15 minutes. Nine leaders passed 30km in 1:30:47 but the real racing
started soon after the turn-around point. The pace setters dropped out and Toshinari Suwa and
Paul Biwott fell behind, so that by 34km it was down to a trio.
Gebrselassie ran the 39th kilometre in 2:56 and Gharib and Baranovsky were left behind, as
he continued to push the pace with 2:54 and 2:51 kilometres. He covered the second half in
1:02:34, 1:44 faster than his first half.
Wataru Okutani finished fourth in under 2:09:30 which gave him automatic selection for the
World Championships Marathon in Osaka.
1 Haile GEBRESELASSIE ETH 2:06:52
2 Dmytro BARANOVSKY UKR 2:07:15
3 Jaouad GHARIB MAR 2:07:19
4 Wataru OKUTANI JPN 2:08:49
5 Toshinari SUWA JPN 2:08:52
6 Tsuyoshi OGATA JPN 2:10:48
7 Jon BROWN GBR 2:11:46
8 Atsushi FUJITA JPN 2:11:50
9 Fernando CABADA USA 2:12:27
10 Tomoyuki SATO JPN 2:12:29
3 DECEMBER 2006: CAYMAN ISLANDS MARATHON, CAYMAN ISLANDS
MEN:
1 Mark HYDES CAY 3:09:26
2 Michael RIDSDALE CAY 3:18:01
3 Dane RAUSCHENBERG USA 3:24:35
4 Paul MCGEOUGH CAY 3:24:36
5 Rupert NELL CAY 3:28:23
6 Eduardo TORRES CAN 3:29:02
7 Hannes EFFERL CAY 3:37:20
8 Kevin DELANEY USA 3:37:27
9 Curtis KEITH CAY 3:39:44
10 Dylan KING CAY 3:41:58
WOMEN:
1 Julie STACKHOUSE USA 3:06:17
2 Julia ARMSTRONG GBR 3:19:53
3 Beth SCHREADER CAY 3:31:23
4 Andrea KOVACH USA 3:48:38
5 Joclyn LOYD CAY 3:50:11
6 Anja HANSEN DEN 3:57:18
7 Gabriella MAGLIONE USA 4:00:55
8 Meng HOEPFNER USA 4:01:18
9 Laura KNOX CAY 4:19:48
10 Lyn EVINS CAY 4:21:21
3 DECEMBER 2006: BLOM BANK BEIRUT MARATHON, LEBANON
Kenyans Moses Kemboi and Eunice Korir took the titles in the race which had been postponed
from the previous week due to the assasination of Government minister Pierre Gemayel writes
Dave Martin.
The course, starting in the port area of the city, had been slightly altered although
competitors did run within 600m of trouble hotspots, Partizan and Riad Al-Solh squares.
"It was very peaceful," said Sara Nasser, the event's international delegate. The
presence of armed troops and police on the streets reduced the watching crowds to a few
hundred in the finish area. Kemboi, the pre-race favourite, was an emphatic winner in
extremely hot conditions. The women's contest was much closer, with Korir pulling away from
Alemtsehay Kakissa in the final stages to win by just eight seconds.
MEN:
1 Moses KEMBOI KEN 2:17:28
2 Eric KIPTOON KEN 2:19:55
3 Abraham YEMIL ETH 2:20:49
WOMEN:
1 Eunmice KORIR KEN 2:49:25
2 Alemtsehay KAKISSA ETH 2:49:33
3 Haimanot WONDIMU ETH 2:54:18
3 DECEMBER 2006: MACAU INT'L MARATHON AND HALF, MACAU
A total of 3077 runners registered and 2549 of them completed the three events within the
established time limits: 449 runners completed the marathon within 5 hours; 1253 runners the
half marathon within two and half hours; and 847 the mini marathon of around 5km within 1:15.
At 06.00 all participants were geared up in the Macau Stadium, expectantly awaiting the
start at 07.00. After a long and exciting competition, Peter Kemboi from Kenya was first
across the finish line followed by the defending champion—Philip Bandawe from Zimbabwe.
MEN:
1 Peter KEMBOI KEN 2:18:56
2 Philip BANDAWE ZIM 2:19:17
3 Mbogo J MIANO KEN 2:19:51
4 Mykhail IVERUK UKR 2:19:59
5 Adam DOBRZYNSKI POL 2:20:20
6 Chol SONG PAK PRK 2:21:06
7 Yi CHU WENG CHN 2:22:18
8 Kasirai SITA ZIM 2:25:22
9 Carlos VALENTE POR 2:25:30
10 Jingbo ZHANG CHN 2:25:48
WOMEN:
1 Suk UN YYO PRK 2:38:27
2 Edyta LEWANDOWSKA POL 2:39:09
3 Svetlana NEKHOROSH UKR 2:41:46
4 Sun CHOL KIM PRK 2:43:32
5 Shawuti NUERGULI CHN 2:45:36
6 Rael JEPTOO MUREY KEN 3:06:15
7 Hing CHUN CHAN HKG 3:24:54
8 Catherine LEONARD HKG 3:26:28
9 Cora JONGENOTTER NED 3:27:08
10 Heong LAI LEONG MAC 3:27:34
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Kwok WAI CHAN HKG 1:16:02
2 Yau TIN WONG HKG 1:16:43
3 Lee WWAI CHENG HKG 1:17:28
WOMEN:
1 Xia FENG YANG CHN 1:17:57
2 Giovanna MANDY USA 1:20:25
3 Suet YING LEUNG HKG 1:26:13
3 DECEMBER 2006: 21K NUEVO LEON, MEXICO
Genoveva Jelagat, from Kenya, won the women's race in a new course record writes Ruben
Romero. Jelagat won the 5km National Championship of Mexico held in Mazatlán the previous
day with a new record of 15:41, after which she flew to Monterrey to win the 21K.
The half marathon started and finished at the Parque Fundidora in Monterrey. Rain, and a
temperature of 11°C, did not impede Jelegat as she finished more than two minutes ahead.
"I am very happy, thanks to God that I won with a new record, and also I could win
yesterday, I had a good weekend".
David Galván led during the first 20km but eventually yielded to Isaac Kimayo, who won by
three seconds, in a race that had a total of 1,518 runners including 28 runners from five
foreign countries.
MEN:
1 Isaac KIMAYO KEN 1:03:00
2 David GALVAN MEX 1:03:03
3 Joseph KOECH KEN 1:03:59
4 Kibet CHEROP KEN 1:06:01
5 Charles KANDIE KEN 1:06:02
6 Evans MAIKO KEN 1:06:09
7 Evans ROTICH KEN 1:07:34
8 Asencion ARREDONDO MEX 1:07:35
9 Miguel LEON MEX 1:09:15
10 Rogelio SALINAS MEX 1:09:20
WOMEN:
1 Genoveva JELEGAT KEN 1:11:30
2 Judith RAMIREZ MEX 1:13:54
3 Lucy MUHAMI KEN 1:15:03
4 Margaret TOROITICH KEN 1:15:19
5 Nora Leticia ROCHA MEX 1:20:29
6 Maria Guadalupe ALTUNEZ MEX 1:20:41
7 Wanda PANFIL POL 1:22:21
8 Elida JASSO MEX 1:24:58
9 Dolores Eva DAVILA MEX 1:27:51
10 Ana Teresa JUAREGUI MEX 1:27:58
3 DECEMBER 2006: GRAN MARATON PACIFICO, MEXICO
MEN:
1 George OKWORO KEN 2:17:27
2 Peter OMAE KEN 2:18:17
3 Jorge Rivera HERNANDEZ MEX 2:19:20
4 Ruben Garcia GOMEZ MEX 2:19:51
5 Ignacio Carretero MENDIOLA MEX 2:21:07
6 Bob ONYANCHA KEN 2:22:07
7 Mario Martinez CRUZ MEX 2:23:37
8 Roman ESPINOZA MEX 2:26:03
9 Fidel Garcia QUINTANA MEX 2:27:11
10 Hector Perez Gonzalez MEX 2:27:29
WOMEN:
1 Ma.Guadalupe Santana MARIN MEX 2:43:52
2 Ariana Quino SALAZAR MEX 2:56:25
3 Penninah NYABOKE KEN 2:57:24
4 Lorena Ciro CORTES MEX 2:57:34
5 Beatriz Rangel TELLEZ MEX 2:58:22
6 Gloria Escareno LOPEZ MEX 3:06:43
7 Esther Bustamante MORENO MEX 3:16:20
8 Eugenia Hernandez GALLEGOS MEX 3:17:03
9 Gariella Suarez ALVORADO MEX 3:17:34
10 Aida Martha Butron AVILES MEX 3:22:37
HALF MARATHON:
MEN:
1 Mateo CERON MEX 1:03:15
2 Luis BARRIOS MEX 1:03:15
3 Sergio PEDRAZA MEX 1:06:50
WOMEN:
1 Susana Diaz ESCOBAR MEX 1:16:18
2 Marisol Romero ROSALES MEX 1:16:50
3 Paula Apolonia JUAREZ MEX 1:17:21
3 DECEMBER 2006: PAMPULHA LAGOON ROAD RACE, BRAZIL
Franck Caldeira, winner of the Sao Paulo Marathon and Rio Half Marathon earlier in the year
and winner of this race in 2003, beat a pair of young Kenyans to win again writes Rodolfo
Eichler. The race is run through scenic parkland surrounding the Pampulha Lagoon and is
17.8km in length. It has become more and more attractive because in its eight editions it has
influenced the urban recovery of the lake area and its paths and trails, which are broadcast
each year to more than 30 countries.
The artificial lagoon was formed in the 1940's when buildings were erected in the
surrounding area, designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer—still alive
today at the age of 99. The little church of Sao Francisco is the most famous of these.
The race was fast with favourable weather (56% humidity and 18°C at the start) attracting
more than 11,000 runners. The elite field included Brazilian runners, invited by the GloboTV
Organizers, some Kenyans and a few of South America's top runners. Lucelia Peres won the
women's race for the third consecutive time. Both winners are from the state of Minas Gerais,
in the centre of Brazil, where the race takes place.
MEN:
1 Franck Caldeira DE ALAMEIDA BRA 53:52
2 Kenneth Kiplimo KOSGEI KEN 54:02
3 Cosmas Kibet KEMBOI KEN 54:31
4 Jose do Nascimento SOUZA BRA 54:34
5 Ubiratan Jose DOS SANTOS BRA 54:48
6 Joao Ferreira DE LIMA BRA 54:59
7 Luis Paulo de Silva ANTUNES BRA 55:09
8 Giomar Perreira DA SILVA BRA 55:25
9 Paulo Luis Dos Santos FILHO BRA 55:39
10 Rogerio FERREIRA BRA 55:52
WOMEN:
1 Lucelia de Oliveira PERES BRA 1:02:14
2 Marcia NARLOCH BRA 1:04:00
3 Marily DOS SANTOS BRA 1:04:40
4 Marizete Moreira DOS SANTOS BRA 1:05:00
5 Edielza Alves DOS SANTOS BRA 1:05:43
6 Janete Gomes BARBOSA BRA 1:06:23
7 Luiza de Souza PINTO BRA 1:07:07
8 Maria Sandra Pereira SILVA BRA 1:07:22
9 Conceicao de Maria CARVALHO BRA 1:07:33
10 Rosilene Alves De OLIVEIRA BRA 1:07:44
Top
10 DECEMBER 2006: LAS VEGAS MARATHON AND HALF, USA
Any event that features lasers, Santa Claus, a bunch of jogging Elvises, and milk and
cookies gets a big fat seal of approval from us says the staff reporter of the Las Vegas
Review. And so we wholeheartedly endorse the New Las Vegas Marathon, which not only boasts
a field of 12,000 competitors tearing it up through the city, but also features other
family-friendly attractions such as the Gospel Choir Alley and the Xbox Lounge. For those not
yet family: you can get married during the race at the Run Through Chapel.
MEN:
1 Joseph KAHUGU KEN 2:16:23
2 Noah TALAM USA 2:17:57
3 Mark ROBERTS GBR 2:37:42
4 Abebe YIMER ETH 2:41:25
5 Jonathan ROSSING USA 2:42:06
6 Hampus HOLMS TER SWE 2:42:47
7 Darrell GENERAL USA 2:44:12
8 Jonathan BALABUCK CAN 2:44:28
9 Matt ZUCHETTO USA 2:46:21
10 David BICE USA 2:49:23
WOMEN:
1 Jemma JELAGAT KEN 2:35:12
2 Angela BESTWICK USA 2:56:16
3 Pauline MCLEAN CAN 2:59:20
4 Christa ORLOWSKI GER 3:01:05
5 Stephanie TIERNEY USA 3:03:53
6 Sarah POPEK USA 3:06:08
7 Keri NELSON USA 3:09:37
8 Heather GOODFELLOW CAN 3:07:17
9 Sarah GRAVES USA 3:08:52
10 Mary MOSIER USA 3:09:38
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Josh SPIKER USA 1:10:11
2 Nicholas GRAMSKY USA 1:10:17
3 Matt BARRESI USA 1:13:13
WOMEN:
1 Maria Magdalena SANDOVAL USA 1:23:20
2 Carla OPHORST NDL 1:26:07
3 Judy DORPINGHAUS USA 1:37:42
10 DECEMBER 2006: HONOLULU MARATHON, USA
Errol Anderson photo
Lyubov Denisova overwhelmed a strong women's field to run the fastest-ever marathon by a
woman in this event's 34-year history writes David Monti. Denisova, 35, beat compatriot
Lyubov Morgunova's 2004 record by 14 seconds. Ambesse Tolossa's win in the men's race brought
Jimmy Muindi's win streak to an end.
Denisova prepared carefully for the heat, humidity and hills which make the Honolulu
Marathon so challenging. Conditions were favourable for a fast time; it was relatively cool and
the winds had died down. Denisova ran on her own through 5km (17:29) and 10km (34:21), but was
eventually joined by her strongest challenger, Alevtina Biktimirova, also of Russia. They ran
together through halfway in 1:13:32, modestly under the course record pace, but soon
Biktimirova could no longer keep pace. Running the second half of the out-and-back course only
slightly slower than the first, Denisova came home more than two minutes clear of Biktimirova.
Eri Hayakawa, the 2003 Honolulu champion, came from behind to finish third and defending
champion Olesya Nurgalieva was fourth.
In addition to the $40,000 first prize Denisova won a $10,000 record bonus and $17,000 for
running sub-2:28:00. Her $67,000 payday was the largest ever won by a woman at the Honolulu
Marathon.
Denisova had applied too late for the elite field in Honolulu but entered Honolulu on her
own. Race director Jon Cross gladly accommodated her in the elite field when he found out she
was planning to run, and made sure she had an elite number and a good starting position.
No athlete is more experienced at the Honolulu Marathon than five-time winner, Jimmy Muindi.
He had won the last three editions of the race and has the fastest personal best time
(2:07:49), but all was not well. A sore throat and cough were the warning signs but Muindi
conserved his energy by drafting the leaders through the first 10km in 30:17. Ambesse Tolossa,
Muindi's biggest challenger, was among them. "Up and down like Ethiopia," Tolossa
later said of the Honolulu course which was definitely to his liking.
After the aggressive start, the pace slackened. Five contenders, including Muindi, Tolossa,
Ethiopians Araya Haregot and Tekeste Kebede, and two-time Olympic medallist Eric Wainaina of
Kenya, reached the half-way point in 1:06:19, but they were still slowing; from 20-25km took
16:42. The race finally got going at 30km and Kebede and Haregot fell back. Wainaina was the
next to falter and at 35km (1:51:04) it was just Muindi and Tolossa. According to Muindi, the
Ethiopian was running aggressively, bumping the taller Kenyan and sometimes clipping his heels.
Words were exchanged.
Beginning the climb up Diamond Head Avenue after 35km, Tolossa managed to get a step ahead.
After 2km and a 34m climb he had a lead. Tolossa went on to finish nearly a minute up on
Muindi.
The race had 28,635 entrants of which 17,905 came from Japan. Runners continued to finish
into the evening despite the 05.00 start because the race has an open finish line, part of the
"Aloha Spirit" which makes this marathon unique.
MEN:
1 Ambesse TOLOSSA ETH 2:13:42
2 Jimmy MUINDI KEN 2:14:39
3 Eric WAIAINA KEN 2:16:08
4 Araya HAREGOT ETH 2:16:59
5 Eric NZOIKI KEN 2:17:10
6 Fujii YAKANORI JPN 2:25:13
7 Nicholas MUINDI KEN 2:25:26
8 Tekeste KEBEDE ETH 2:26:16
9 Makoto YUKIMOTO JPN 2:29:30
10 Shawn BRADY USA 2:31:07
WOMEN:
1 Lyubov DENISOVA RUS 2:27:19
2 Alevtina BIKTIMIROVA RUS 2:29:42
3 Eri HAYAKAWA JPN 2:32:31
4 Olesya NURGALIEVA RUS 2:36:02
5 Albina IVANOVA RUS 2:39:44
6 Elena NURGALIEVA RUS 2:41:15
7 Namie YAMAMOTO JPN 2:49:44
8 Rika UMEYAMA JPN 2:50:23
9 Kaoru AKAKA JPN 2:54:02
10 Yukiko MAKIHARI JPN 2:56:48
10 DECEMBER 2006: POWERADE MONTERREY MARATHON
Maria Elena Valencia won the Marathon Powerade Monterrey with a personal best of 2:30:53,
the third best time for a Mexican in 2006 writes Ruben Romero. Valencia suffered
dehydration and vomiting during the race but managed to cross he finish line four minutes
before the second place. She bettered the 2:33:14 with which she won the Lala Marathon last
March.
The female elite runners started 17:52 before the elite men. This is the difference
between the best times registered in Mexico—male and female—and there was a
special bonus of 100,000 pesos for the first person to cross the finish line.
During the first half of the race the men reduced the handicap quite rapidly, but Valencia
sped up at the half marathon mark and arrived at the finish line 1:42 before the male winner
Christopher Kipyego.
Both winners ran negative splits. Valencia recorded 1:17:15 and 1:13:38, and Kipyego
1:08:40 and 1:06:03. The first five women and the first seven men broke the Monterrey marathon
records.
MEN:
1 Christopher KIPYEGO KEN 2:14:43
2 Christopher TOROITICH KEN 2:14:50
3 Jesus PRIMO CAPULA MEX 2:16:13
4 Edilberto MENDEZ MEX 2:16:17
5 George OKWORO KEN 2:16:47
6 Lazarus NYAKERAKA KEN 2:20:31
7 Philip METTO KEN 2:20:54
8 Miguel ANGEL IBARRA MEX 2:21:02
9 Gerardo MORALES MEX 2:21:57
10 Ricardo LARA ZAVALA MEX 2:22:
WOMEN:
1 Maria Elena VALENCIA MEX 2:30:53
2 Lucy MUHAMI KEN 2:35:03
3 Angelica SANCHEZ MEX 2:35:25
4 Karina PEREZ DELGADO MEX 2:36:11
5 Liliana MERLO FERNANDEZ MEX 2:37:58
6 Judith RAMIREZ HERNANDEZ MEX 2:39:30
7 Susan KIHARA MUTHONI KEN 2:41:56
8 Sara CEDILLO SANCHEZ MEX 2:42:39
9 Adriana SANCHEZ RUIZ MEX 2:46:27
10 Amelia TORRES ROMERO MEX 2:54:21
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12 DECMBER 2006: ANTARCTICA ICE MARATHON,
ANTARCTICA
Competitiors from Armenia, Australia, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Russia, South Africa,
Ukraine, and the USA took part in the second Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100km races. These
are the only footraces held within the Antarctic Circle and take place in 24-hour daylight at
80 degrees South.
Clear skies, temperatures of -10°C and light winds met the participants on 13 December
for the marathon. Low cloud cover in the later stages of the race led to poor contrast and
visibility. A group of six top mountaineers, including four Everest summiteers from the seven
summits club, were late registrants for the event. Their inclusion in the field added further
excitement to the race particularly when the best marathoner among them, Karo Ovasapyan of
Armenia, was still in contention for third place after 25km. But by this point Henri Alain
d'Andria (FRA) had carved out a sizeable lead over Tim Harris (GBR). The Frenchman continued
to push ahead to win in a new Antarctic Ice Marathon record of 5:08:17 hrs, beating Eveginy
Gorkov's (Russia) existing record by over a minute. In finishing second, Tim Harris
successfully completed seven marathons in seven weeks on seven continents and will undoubtedly
enter Guinness World Records for the shortest cumulative marathon time for the task. Noelle
Sheridan (USA) was the sole female participant and finished in a time of 7:15:46 to set a new
Guinness World Record for women by running seven marathons in seven months on seven
continents.
Two of the mountaineers finished the marathon event while the others decided at different
points to withdraw rather than putting an imminent Mount Vinson summit attempt in jeopardy due
to blistering or other running-related injuries. Nevertheless, a record of other sorts was
probably set for the greatest concentration of Everest summiteers in one marathon.
In the 100km race, held on 15 December, Richard Donovan (IRL) took the lead from the outset
and pressed hard over the first 25km. D'Andria (France) followed close behind. However, the
gap widened to 40 minutes at the halfway point as the relentless pace continued. Easing up
over the final quarter, the Irishman set a new Antarctic 100km record of 12:55:06—a race
distance that is equivalent of 10% of the distance from the race venue to the South Pole. Both
overall winners received $5,000 Kobold Expedition watches.
MEN:
1 Henri Alain D'ANDRIA FRA 5:08:17
2 Tim HARRIS GBR 5:15:28
3 Philippe MOREAU FRA 5:30:11
4 Herve TAQUET FRA 5:30:11
5 Gavin MELGAARD AUS 7:05:18
6 John KRAUS USA 7:17:48
7 Mike NIXON RSA 7:32:20
8 Jim WOOD USA 7:32:20
WOMEN:
1 Noelle SHERIDAN USA 7:15:46
100K: (15 DEC)
1 Richard DONOVAN IRL 12:55:06
2 Henri Alain D'ANDRAI FRA 13:25:10
3 Philippe MOREAU FRA 14:35:54
4 Herve TAQUET FRA 14:35:54
5 Tim HARRIS GBR 17:16:53
6 Mike PIERCE USA 17:16:53
7 John KRAUS USA 22:31:10
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17 DECEMBER 2006: ANGKOR WAT INT'L HALF MARATHON,
CAMBODIA
The race takes place amongst the spectacular ruins of Angkor Wat, designated as a world
heritage site by UNESCO. The scenic course starts and finishes in front of the Central
Sanctuary of the Angkor Wat.
The race was conceived with a charitable purpose: to provide landmine victims with prosthetic
limbs, and youth with education for HIV/AIDS prevention. There are categories for artificial
leg, and wheelchairs. The field has grown steadily since foundation and this 11th edition drew
2,154 participants from 35 countries, including a record 481 half marathoners from 29
countries. Entry fees are donated to the same charitable organizations every year.
On race day, sunny skies and a start temperature of 21.5°C offered good running
conditions. The course is flat and runner friendly. Many runners were repeating the experience,
both from Cambodia and abroad. Hem Bunting from Cambodia won the half marathon for third
straight year. Every year there are more and more local residents offering support along the
course and at the finish line. Runners enjoyed the hi-fives offered by little children,
demonstrating how this event brings a zest for living to people in Cambodia as well as
developing Cambodian athletes.
MEN:
1 Hem BUNTING CAM 1:12:26
2 Masashi SHIMPO JPN 1:16:50
3 Tony SEAKINS GBR 1:19:04
4 Sien SOPHAK CAM 1:20:40
5 Patrick Michel LORENTZ FRA 1:21:57
6 Allesina FLAVIO SUI 1:23:31
7 Kiency SAMORN CAM 1:23:52
8 Jay JOHANNESEN USA 1:24:07
9 Trevor James SEAMAN AUS 1:24:36
10 Tapio TIKKANEN FIN 1:25:05
WOMEN:
1 Wakana AKIMOTO JPN 1:26:52
2 Brigitte NIEDERBERGER SUI 1:29:42
3 Sam SAUNDERS CAN 1:31:27
4 Pauline Elizabeth MULROY GBR 1:33:22
5 Nicola GREEN GBR 1:33:30
6 Mika KUINE JPN 1:34:33
7 Larissa Nicole MACLACHIAN CAN 1:36:16
8 Mary WHITTFIELD USA 1:36:18
9 Anna ODMAN SWE 1:39:00
10 Lesley PERLMAN USA 1:41:11
17 DECEMBER 2006: ING TAIPEI INT'L MARATHON, TAIWAN
MEN:
1 Luke KIBET KEN 2:11:05
2 Stephen KAMAR KEN 2:11:50
3 Julius SUGUT KEN 2:12:32
4 Andrey CHERNISHOV RUS 2:22:01
5 Samson KANDIE KEN 2:24:34
6 Ji Jian CHENG 2:25:25
7 Jhih Fong HE 2:32:00
8 Jhih Hong HE 2:35:19
9 Jian Shing CHIOU 2:35:23
10 Shih Jie KE 2:42:34
WOMEN:
1 Jane AURO KEN 2:30:56
2 Tabitha TSATSA 2:32:09
3 Irina SAFAROVA RUS 2:37:38
4 Wan Ling WU 2:47:27
5 Ka-wai LAI 2:58:35
6 Xiao Yu LEE 2:58:38
7 Su Ling CHANG 3:12:51
8 Eriko KATO 3:16:47
9 Pui Ling CHEUNG 3:20:19
10 Su Wei CHEN 3:29:03
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31 DECEMBER 2006: ST CATHERINE'S MARATHON, EGYPT
A total of 110 runners completed the four events, ranging from 5km through 10km and half
marathon up to the full marathon, which were held on the last day of the year in the shadow of
Mount Sinai, with the start and finish in St Catherine's village just a few hundred metres
from the ancient monastery. Water and bananas were offered every 2.5km. The whole course was
under close control of the competition organisers and two ambulances were permanently
patrolling the course. All participants received medals, T-shirts and papyrus diplomas to
commemorate their efforts.
MEN:
1 Mark WERNER USA 2:54:31
2 Mohamed MORSY EGY 3:11:09
3 Salid JBEDA EGY 3:20:32
4 Nail ZABAROV RUS 3:26:24
5 Heinrich VAN NAHMEN GER 3:40:22
6 Ossama MOHAMED EGY 3:43:29
WOMEN:
1 Elke MELFER GER 3:59:05
2 Jlona SCHLEGEL GER 3:59:06
3 Laura KOSTABORDER USA 4:28:58
4 Una RATH GER 4:35:23
5 Brigitta BIERMANSKI GER 4:43:44
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Mahmoud EGY 1:18:13
2 Forid SAMIR EGY 1:19:23
3 Gaber BAHNASY EGY 1:22:40
4 Mohamed ADEL EGY 1:36:17
5 Detlef MEHLAU GER 1:36:17
WOMEN:
1 Lydia LYSENKO RUS 1:57:29
2 Alicia GALE USA 2:24:15
December 2006
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