FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lamech Mokono Sets New Course Record at the
GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon
(Victoria, BC - October 13, 2013) A new course record was set today at the
34th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon by Kenyan, Lamech Mokono.
Run under brilliant, sunny skies, Victoria's Catrin Jones also set a
personal best in the women's race. Ten age-group records were also set. In
the four events, 11,768 registered, making it the third largest event in
its 34-year history. The Marathon had 2,008 registrants, the Half Marathon:
5,471, the 8K Road Race: 2,909 and there were 1,300 in the Thrifty Foods
Kids Run, which sold out for the second year in a row.
The men's race was dominated by the top four seeds who vied for the lead
early on. Kip Kangogo, took an early charge followed by 2011 and 2012
Champion Thomas Omwenga, then Josephat Ongeri and Lamech Mokono. At 10
kilometres, Mokono took the lead but the pack remained tight with Kangogo
and Ongeri close behind with Omwenga slowly dropping out of contention. At
30 kilometres Mokono and Kangogo were keeping pace until Mokono took the
lead at 32 kilometres. With five kilometres to go the gap widened and
Mokono finished in 2:13:42, breaking the 2011 course record by 51 seconds.
Kangogo came in second in 2:15:35, and Ongeri third in 2:19:53. Omwenga was
fourth in 2:26:35. Oliver Utting, from Burnaby, was fifth and the top
master, finishing in 2:29:55. He was also crowned the BC Marathon Champion.
Mokono, who trains in Santé Fe, New Mexico and only registered for the
Marathon a week ago, was delighted with his victory. He told the hundreds
who gathered at the finish line that he knew he could set a new course
record and thanked the organizers "for making my dream come true." He
praised the crowds and the fast course and vowed to return.
Local favourite Catrin Jones did not disappoint running a personal best in
the women's marathon of 2:43:03, 87 seconds faster than her Ottawa Marathon
time this year. She took the lead from the start which she admitted
afterwards was a little worrying. "I was worried about the pressure of
taking an early lead," she said afterwards. "At the turnaround at 24 km I
saw Katherine (Moore) and pushed a little more. My pace felt good at 37 km
and I felt strong and confident." Jones was also the BC Marathon Champion.
Moore, from Vancouver, came in second at 2:50:57 and third was Denise
McHale from Carcross, YT in a PB of 2:56:41. McHale was also the top female
master.
In the Half Marathon Kelly Weibe from Vancouver, BC won in 1:04:59. Second
was Victoria's Geoff Martinson in 1:05:18 setting a PB, and third was Willy
Kimosop from Lethbridge, AB in 1:06:31. Jim Finlayson was the top master in
1:09:47. In the women's race top seed Hilary Stellingwerff won her first
half marathon in 1:16:11. Kimberley Doerksen from Gibsons, BC was second in
1:17:27 and third was Lisa Brooking from
Langley, BC in 1:17:42. Victoria's Lucy Smith was fourth and the top master
finishing in 1:17:54.
Stellingwerff, who normally runs track and who competed in the 2012
Olympics, was delighted with her performance. "I felt strong the whole way
although the last five kilometres
I had to push myself," she said. "My legs were getting tired but I really
enjoyed the challenge. The crowds were yelling and were really behind me."
Victoria runners dominated the 8K Road Race and saw a surprise winner in
Victoria's Olivier Collin who finished in 24:40. Nick Walker was second in
25:25 and Trevor Schiavone third in 25:53. Masters runners Craig Odermatt
and Bruce Deacon came fourth and fifth in 26:01 and 26:10 respectively,
with Odermatt winning the masters crown. Vancouver's Rachel Cliff made it
two in a row winning the women's race in 27:50. Patricia Roney was second
in 29:41 and Brittany Therrien was third in 30:20. Both reside in Victoria.
Cheryl Nicholls from Victoria won the masters in 31:36.
Ten age-group records were set today. In the Marathon: winner Lamech Komoko
in M30-34; Mark Bennett in M50-54 - in 2:37:20 (also a BC age-group
record). In the Half Marathon: winner Kelly Weibe - in M20-24; Second place
finisher Geoff Martinson in M25-29; David Guss in M50-54 in 1:15:11; Greg
Meiklejohn in M55-59 in 1:18:28; Women's second place finisher Kimberley
Doerksen in W20-24; Lucy Smith - in W45-49 (also a Canadian age-group
record). In the 8K Road Race: Bruce Deacon in M45-49 in 26:10 and Karin
Vickars in W75-79 in 41:41.
There were 10,263 finishers including 1,300 Kids Run participants - 1,696
in the Marathon, 4,659 in the Half Marathon and 2,608 in the 8K Road Race.
The 35th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will take place on
October 12th, 2014.
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