FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Exciting Finish for Elites in the 36th Annual
GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon
(Victoria, BC – October 12, 2015) Yesterday was a race full of drama for
the elite athletes, but for the majority of the 9,000 plus participants it
was a glorious day to set personal goals in the 36th Annual GoodLife
Fitness Victoria Marathon. The 2014 marathon winner Daniel Kipkoech
successfully defended his title, albeit in unexpected circumstances, while
first-time marathoner Erin Burrett from Nanaimo, BC sprinted to a
spectacular finish. The Marathon had 1,484 registrants, the Half Marathon:
3,808, the 8K Road Race: 2,688 and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run: 1,087, for a
total of 9,067.
The men's race was fast and furious with sixth seed Tisia Kiplangat taking
an early lead. Clocking a 1:06 at the half way point, the course record of
2:13:42 was there for the taking. Second seed and course record holder
Lamech Mokono, and Kipkoech were hanging on, but it was Kiplangat who was
blazing the course and recorded 1:41 at 32km. But his pace started to slow
and at 40km he started cramping and was clearly struggling, collapsing in
the last kilometre. Kipkoech passed him and finished in 2:25:40. Mokono was
second in 2:30:22, and Oliver Utting, from Burnaby was third in 2:34:39 and
was the top Master.
The favourite in the women's race, and 2014 champion, Lioudmila
Kortchaguina, was leading for the majority of the race with Burrett and the
2013 champion Catrin Jones close behind. But with just a kilometre to go
Burrett attacked and in the last 300 metres passed Kortchaguina to win in
2:39:17. Kortchaguina, finished in 2:39:37 but breaking her own Masters
record from 2014. Jones was third in 2:44:28. "My goal was 2:40 and I felt
very strong out there," Burrett said. "At three kilometres to go I had a
few hip issues, but I had enough left for a sprint finish."
The Marathon hosted the BC Marathon Championships, with Burrett and Utting
winning the 2015 titles."In a deep field of extremely talented and seasoned
Kenyans, Ethiopians, Americans and Japanese, it was Canadian athletes that
surged to the front of the pack in an entertaining and competitive day of
racing," said Bob Reid, Dairyland High Performance Director. "Burrett and
Utting get top marks for their overall positions and outstanding times.
Burrett, in her marathon debut, finished 8th of 1,204 finishers to
establish the highest ever position by a female in the 36 years of the
race. She only led for the final 300 metres with a ferocious kick to
surpass last year's champion. For Burrett, running a 1:15 half marathon is
rewarding, which she has done this year so for her to run a 2:39 marathon
is ten times more difficult. Considering the course record of 2:37:56 was
set in 2011 by Kenyan Lucy Njeri, there is a bright future in Burrett's
marathon opportunities. Utting was the top Canadian master and he beat all
other open runners (under-40) by over two minutes. He is a deserving BC
Champion."
The Half Marathon was won by top seed Paul Kimugul in 1:05:00. Second was
Benard Ngeno in 1:06:01 and third was the 2014 winner, Willy Kimosop in
1:07:53. Top master was Victoria's Jim Finlayson finishing in 1:09:15. The
women's race saw some surprises with late registrant, Malindi Elmore from
Kelowna, winning in 1:15:35, setting a W35-39 age group record. Second was
Kristen Rohde from Portland (1:16:06) and third was fellow Portland elite
team-mate Lauren Johnson in 1:17:24. Lucy Smith was the top female Master
winning in 1:20:42.
Elmore, who now is transitioning to triathlons after a successful track and
road race career, was delighted. "I did the Half Ironman in Vegas last
weekend and so came here and thought I would give the half a try," she
said. "I was on a 1:15 pace for a while and led all the way so very pleased
with winning."
"Finlayson and Elmore proved to be the shining Canadian lights," Reid
commented. "Finlayson was fourth overall and Elmore was 17th of 3,257
finishers. "Honourable mention goes to 21-year-old Logan Roots, of
Whitehorse, who finished eighth with a personal best time of 1:10:56."
The 8K Road Race was won by Victoria's Nick Walker in 26:16, closely
followed by Craig Odermatt (Victoria, BC) in 26:22 and third was Robin
Poirier (Duncan, BC) in 27:03. Odermatt was also the top Master. Lindsay
Carson from Whitehorse, YT defended her 2014 title, winning the women's
race in 27:32. Second was Victoria's Hilary Stellingwerff in 27:40, and
third was Cindy Crowther (Vancouver) in 28:42. Crowther also was the top
female Master.
Roslyn Smith from Comox, BC set a new age-category course record in the
Marathon W65-69 with a 3:39:35. In the 8K, Lenore Montgomery, from
Vancouver, BC set a course record in the W85-89 finishing in 55:25.
There were 6,819 finishers – 1,204 in the Marathon, 3,257 in the Half
Marathon, 2,358 in the 8K, plus 1,087 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run, for a
total of 7,906.
For full results from the 36th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon go
to: www.runvictoriamarathon.com/After-The-Race/Results.aspx
The 37th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will take place on
October 9th, 2016.
###
|
