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VANCOUVER. 22 June 2008. Kenyan Moses Macharia made it three wins in four races in Canada Running Series '08, as he cruised to a comfortable victory in 64:50, ahead of compatriot Josephat Ongeri, at this morning's Scotia Vancouver Half. Twenty-four year old Florence Jepkosgei, also a winner at Sporting Life 10K on May 4th, had an even easier time of things, taking the women's title in 1:14:04, more than 3 minutes ahead of Calgary's Lisa Harvey. Conditions were good for running, with overcast skies and a temperature of 12 degrees celcius at the 7am start at UBC--though some stiff breezes in the early going, and some humidity, mitigated against really-fast times. A record 4,220 participants toed the line for the 10th Anniversary running, drawn from 7 Canadian provinces, 38 American states, and 24 different countries. Another 500 took part in the accompanying 5K fun run, helping raise $200,000 for 10 local charities.
Macharia and Ongeri took charge from the Start, going through the first kilometre in 3:04, with Toronto's Danny Kassap being the only Canadian to hang onto them. Ongeri made a move between 4k and 5k, and then there were just two. Macharia and Ongeri ran stride for stride through 9k, before Ongeri started to mix things up. After turning onto Marine Drive for the precipitous downhill to Spanish Banks, he threw in a 2:44 kilometre, to pass 10k in 30:24 at the bottom of the hill. Macharia stayed close, looking very comfortable, and then pressed his case on the short, sharp rise from Jericho Beach up to West 4th. Ongeri struggled on the incline, and by 12k he was 20m down--a gap he was never able to close. Macharia passed 15K in 45:51, taking the occasional glance back, as he cruised passed Kits Beach, over the Burrard Bridge, and down Pacific Avenue to the Finish line in Vancouver's world-famous Stanley Park.
Ongeri ran steadily for 2nd place, 25 seconds back, and Danny Kassap held onto 3rd [and 1st Canadian] in a disappointing 67:26-- well off the 64:03 he ran for 2nd last year. Victoria's Jim Finlayson and Todd Howard rounded out the top 5 [67:50 and 69:15].
Florence Jepkosgei was never challenged in the women's race, leading from Start to Finish. The second-youngest of 9 children from Eldoret, she was pleased to have an easy win for her 10th and final outing of her Spring season in North America, before returning home on Wednesday. The $1500 she takes with her as first-place prize from Vancouver, will be put towards school fees for her sisters' children. Behind Lisa Harvey [1:17:29], Milton, Ontario's Josiane Aboungono and Whistler's Kristina Rody had a great see-saw battle with the Ontarion finally prevailing, 80:28 to 80:33.
British Columbia has always had a very strong Master's running scene, and today was no different. Coquitlam's Nancy Tinari, at 49 years of age, placed 5th overall with a sterling 81:04. On the men's side, CRS defending champion, Louis Philippe Garnier of Montreal, fought off a West coast pack for the victory in 73:08, with Courtney's Neil Holm 2nd in 73:41, and Maple Ridge's Norm Tinkham 3rd, in 74:07.
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