Rotich sets half-marathon course record; Handel Williamson defends half crown
ST. LOUIS - (April 19, 2009) - Zach Freudenburg, 30, established a course record of 2 hours, 23 minutes, 57 seconds to win the 9th GO! St. Louis Marathon. Freudenburg, defeated two-time winner Karl Gilpin from Russellville, MO, who finished second with a time of 2:27:00. Gilpin had won the race in 2007 and 2008. Brian Baillie from Carbondale, IL was third overall, finishing in 2:31:08.
On the women's side Megan Earney, 29, from Olathe, KS set a course record on her way to the win - 2:51:20. Jackie Pirtie-Hall finished runner-up at 3:08:24 and Mairi Burfoot was a close third at 3:09:04.
In the Half Marathon presented by National City, Kipruto Rotich, 28 from Columbia, MO set a course record with a time of 1:07:19. He defeated two-time half-marathon champion Mathew Chesang who finished fourth this year. Right behind Rotich was Arthur Kern from Searcy, AR with a time of 1:07:52. Finishing third was Craig Donnelly from Hillsborough, NJ at 1:08:27.
Kelly Handel Williamson from Austin, TX repeated in the women's half-marathon in 1:23:03, while Sarah Jarvis was second, finishing at 1:25:59.
Complete results are available at: www.GOstlouis.org.
More than 15,000 participants had registered for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Race. And, more than 20,000 participants competed in one of the ten different events over the two-day weekend fitness celebration.
The GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend is an event that was created for all ages and fitness abilities and features a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) - presented by National City, Marathon Relay - presented by Lockton Companies, 5K Run / Walk (3.1 miles) - presented by YMCA of Greater St. Louis, GO! St. Louis Read, Right and Run Marathon® - presented by Centene Corporation, Children's Fun Runs - presented by Subway and a Mature Mile.
The 2010 GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend will be held on April 10 & 11.
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