Kogo, Temesgen UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon champions; Bestine, Molinero win Handcycle Divison presented by PNC Bank; 8th edition witnesses record 39,000-plus participants during the two-day Steel City running festival
PITTSBURGH - (May 1, 2016) - After a brief period of rain, cloudy and cool temperatures prevailed at the 8th DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon on Sunday morning as Kenya’s Kipkoech Ruto took the Men’s title in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 27 seconds, while Ethopia’s Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo won the women’s race in 2:42:47. In the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon Kenya’s Julius Kogo, the race record holder (1:02:32 in 2013) won the men’s race in 1:03:13, while Ethiopia’s Etaferahu Temesgen won the women’s in 1:13:08. 18,240 marathoners and half-marathoners plus 1,219 FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay teams ran through 13 neighborhoods experiencing more than 80 bands and cheer groups as well as thousands cheering them along to the finish in downtown Pittsburgh.
"Congratulations to all the finishers in our Marathon and Half Marathon! In our 8th year, we now have a multi-generational and global event showcasing our wonderful city, which is enjoying its 200th birthday in 2016," said Patrice Matamoros, P3R CEO and race director of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. "Thank you to our volunteers, sponsors and everyone who came out to cheer on their family and friends, making it special for each and every participant finishing their personal journey: truly all Runners of Steel!"
In the Men’s Marathon Kipkoech Ruto, 27, would lead from the start gapping the field on event record pace crossing the half-marathon mark in 1:05:56. With almost a one minute lead on his closest competitor, Ruto would relax in the rolling hills of Pittsburgh’s Shadyside, Point Breeze and Homewood neighborhoods. Werkuneh Seyoum Aboye (ETH), 31, would begin to close the gap begininng at mile 17, catching Ruto just after the 21 mile mark. The two would battle for the next three-plus miles and as they entered downtown, Ruto would use the downhill finish and conserved energy from earlier in the race to win handidly in 2:17:27 to Aboye’s 2:18:42.
"I felt very good today. I did relax and save energy, allowing me to feel good at the end," said Ruto who won on his first trip to Pittsburgh and will take home $8000 for the title.
American Tyler Jermann, 23, a resident of Flagstaff, AZ would also manage his race well in the rolling hills and would cross the line in third, clocking 2:20:38. As part of P3R’s American Development Progam (ADP), Jermann would pick up $4000 for third place overall and an additional $4500 for being the first American under 2:25.
"I had a lot of fun out here. I backed off on the hills and some runners caught me, but relaxing a litte allowed me to finish strong," commented Jermann. "I look forward to being back next year!"
On the women’s side Ethopians Hailemaryam Ayantu Dekubo, 20, and Bizuwork Getahun Kasay, 27, would run stride-for-stride for 23 miles through the streets of Pittsburgh. By mile 25, Dekubo would build a one-minute lead over her fellow countrywoman going on to win in 2:39:18 to Kasay’s 2:42:47. Dekubo earned $8000 for her efforts while Kasay would earn $6000 as runner-up. For Kasay, her second place also matched her husband’s second place finish, Aboye in the men’s Marathon.
American Phebe Ko, 33, an anesthesiologist in San Francisco, CA and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifer (2008 and 2012) returned to racing after getting through medical school. Ko would claim third place and like Jermann would take home $4000 for third place overall and $4500 for being the first American under 2:50 as part of the ADP.
"My goal coming in was to be top American and I know the Marathon can be unpredictable. I didn’t panic," commented Ko. "It’s great that Pittsburgh really takes care of all the elite athletes and especially the Americans. Training is hard when you’re on call, but I still have a goal to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials."
The men’s UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon featured a two-way battle between athletes familiar to Pittsburgh. Kenyan’s Julius Kogo, 30, and 2015 champion Kimutai Cheruiyot, 30, would race side-by-side through nine miles before Kogo would begin to pull away at mile 10. He would hold on and break the finish line tape in 1:03:13 to Cheruiyot’s 1:03:29. Fellow countryman, Nelson Oyugi, 23, would make it a Kenyan sweep with a third place finish in 1:05:04. The trio would also win $6500, $4000 and $3000 respectively.
"It was not bad. The rain slowed us down a little bit, and I think next year we can try for the record," commented Kogo. "I’m happy to be a two-time champion."
In the women’s Half Marathon, Etaferahu Temesgen (ETH), 26, Susan Jerotich (KEN), 29, and Virginia’s Serena Burla (USA), 33, would run in lock step through the first five miles in 27:36. Temesgen would make her move soon after with Jerotich following closely behind, but it would prove too much as she would continue to build an eventual one-minute gap after mile 10. Temesgen crossed the line in 1:13:08 to Jerotich’s 1:14:00.
"It was a good race, although it rained a little bit. It was my first race in Pittsburgh since the 2014 EQT 10 Miler, and I was prepared very well," said Temesgen. "I knew I could win this race and I executed."
Burla, one of the top American marathoners and cancer survivor, would finish in 1:14:48 and collect $3000 for third place overall as well as $3000 for being the first American under 1:20 as part of the ADP.
"The conditions were fine, cool and not a lot of wind. The bands were out there and a couple of those neighborhoods were really rowdy," commented Burla. "I’ve heard good things about Pittsburgh, and they didn’t disappoint."
Kenneth Bestine, 49, from Bluffton, SC won the men’s Marathon Handcycle Division presented by PNC Bank in 1:25:59. Ashli Molinero, 44, of Bethel Park, PA defended her 2015 title capturing the 2016 crown in 1:29:25.
8th DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon - Pittsburgh, PA, Sunday, May 1, 2016
MEN
1) Kipkoech Ruto (KEN), 2:17:27, $8000
2) Werkuneh Seyoum Aboye (ETH), 2:18:42, $6000
3) Tyler Jermann (USA/AZ), 2:20:38, $8500*
4) Tony Migliozzi (USA/OH), 2:21:13, $6000*
5) Birhanu Dare Kemal (ETH), 2:21:35, $1500
6) Abu Kebede Diriba (ETH), 2:22:04, $1000
7) Musa Ido (ETH), 2:23:40, $500
8) Jed Christiansen (USA/PA), 2:24:22, $3500+
9) Thomas Rammelkamp (USA/VA), 2:35:10
10) Kenny Goodfellow (USA/NY), 2:38:25
*Includes American Development Program U.S.-only money
+Includes American Development Program U.S.-only money and $1000 first Pennsylvanian
MASTERS MEN (40 & older)
1) James Hommes, 45, (PA), 2:41:22, $1000
2) Dustin Sprague, 41, (OH), 2:44:04, $500
3) Brett Mason, 40, (PA), 2:45:04, $250
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WOMEN
1) Hailemaryam Ayantu Dak (ETH), 2:39:18, $8000
2) Bizuwork Getahun Kasay (ETH), 2:42:47, $6000
3) Phebe Ko (USA/CA), 2:48:00, $8500*
4) Sara Zambotti (USA/PA), 2:55:04, $3500+
5) Mindy Sawtelle-Zottola (USA/PA), 2:59:49, $1500
6) Jacqueline D’Attoma (USA/OH), 3:11:02, $1000
7) Erika Suhy (USA/PA), 3:11:18, $500
8) Dana Catanzaro (USA/PA), 3:12:36
9) Tammy Slusser (USA/PA), 3:13:49
10) Christy Crummy (USA/PA), 3:16:55
*Includes American Development Program U.S.-only money
+Includes $1000 first Pennsylvanian
MASTERS WOMEN (40 & older)
1) Mindy Sawtelle-Zottola, 43, (PA), 2:59:49*
2) Tammy Slusser, 51, (PA), 3:13:49, $1000+
3) Kelly Annapolen, 44, (PA), 3:24:51, $500+
4) Stacy Kopchak, 52 (PA), 3:27:18, $250+
*Earned overall prize money (see above)
+Moved up one spot in Masters prize money
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8th UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon
MEN
1) Julius Kogo (KEN), 1:03:13, $6500
2) Kimutai Cheruiyot (KEN), 1:03:29, $4000
3) Nelson Oyugi (KEN), 1:05:04, $3000
4) Aschalew Meketa (ETH), 1:05:42, $2000
5) Ayele Megersa Feisa (ETH), 1:06:25, $1000
6) Rob Molke (USA/MN), 1:07:07, $3500*
7) Paul Yak (USA/CO & SSD), 1:08:36, $2250*
8) Kyle Dawson (USA/PA), 1:09:00, $1000*
9) Christian Thompson (USA/NC), 1:09:34, $750*
10) John Yankello (USA/PA), 1:11:38
*Includes American Development Program U.S.-only money
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WOMEN
1) Etaferahu Temesgen (KEN), 1:13:08, $6500
2) Susan Jerotich (KEN), 1:14:00, $4000
3) Serena Burla (USA/VA), 1:14:48, $6000*
4) Heather Lieberg (USA/OR), 1:15:57, $4000*
5) Yihunlish Bekele (USA/MD), 1:19:56, $2000*
6) Heather Cleary (USA/WV), 1:20:07, $500
7) Jessie Peterson (USA/NY), 1:21:01, $250
8) Megan Tramaglini (USA/PA), 1:22:53
9) Ann Mazur (USA/VA), 1:23:40
10) Megan Wright (USA/WV), 1:25:35
*Includes American Development Program U.S.-only money
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For complete results and more, go to: the PittsburghMarathon.com.
Participants and spectators are encouraged to share photos and their enthusiasm for race weekend via Twitter with the following hashtags: #GameOnPgh and #PghMarathon.
About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
The 2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is not just a race - it’s a journey. The race is your game - however you decide to play it. As a competitor. A fundraiser. An enthusiast. A veteran. A team player. It’s whatever you want it to be. It’s whatever you make it. It’s your game...Run it. Play it. Own it. Love it. #GameOnPGH
Organized by P3R, the 8th edition will be held April 30-May 1, 2016. For more information, go to: The PittsburghMarathon.com.
About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy, and active! Read more at P3R.org.
FACEBOOK: P3Revents TWITTER: @P3REvents.
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