Fourth edition attracts 4,800 entrants for the Steel City’s fall road race classic; event kicks off 2016-17 PRRO Circuit racing season
PITTSBURGH - At the 4th EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, Buze Diriba, 22, of Ethiopia broke her own event record with a time of 51 minutes, 38 seconds, the second fastest women’s 10 mile road time ever recorded on U.S. soil. The 2014 event champion and 2016 U.S. Olympian Leonard Korir, 29, broke the tape in 47:13 in an exciting men’s finish, clocking the fastest 10 mile time by an American male this year.
In the men’s race, Jim Spisak took an early lead followed closely behind by a pack of five including Korir, Nelson Oyugi, Eliud Negtich, Teshome Mekone and Kimuati Cheruiyot. In the last 200 meters, Korir broke away from the lead pack for the win, followed closely by Cheruiyot (47:15) and Ngetich (47:16) of Kenya. For his victory, the Colorado Springs, CO resident took home $5000 ($4000 as race champion and $1000 as top American), while Spisak was second American in fifth (47:28).
"When I saw this year’s field, I knew it was going to be competitive," Korir said. "I knew the first part of the course was uphill, and the last 3 miles were downhill. I sat back for the last mile, and I made sure I was still strong for a last kick."
In the women’s race, Diriba took an early lead, setting a quick pace of 5:05 per mile through mile 5. At mile 9, Emily Sisson, Diriba’s closest competitor, trailed 15 seconds behind. Diriba would finish strongly to shatter her own event record of 52:55, set in 2015, by more than a minute. For the win, the defending champion earned $4000.
Sisson, 25, from Providence, RI, finished runner-up, also well under the old mark, clocking 52:03. The 2016 USA 10K champion produced the fastest 10 mile performance by an American woman this year and the second fastest ever on a record standard USATF certified course. Monicah Ngige, of Kenya, took home third in 54:13.
"I thought it was a challenging course," Sisson said. "It was hillier than I expected, but it was a cool course. It was nice to hear my family cheering for me at different sections. I liked the last bit that was all downhill."
"It was a perfect morning for a road race through five of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods," said P3R CEO Patrice Matamoros. "The course was lined with beautiful fall foliage and thousands of enthusiastic spectators cheering on nearly 5,000 runners representing 32 states. At the PRRO Circuit opening race, we were thrilled to have our most competitive field yet, with a defending champion in the women’s race and a two-time winner in the men’s race."
4th EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler: PRRO Circuit
Pittsburgh, PA, Sunday, November 6, 2016
MEN
1) Leonard Korir (USA), 47:13, $5000*
2) Kimutai Cheruiyot (KEN), 47:15, $2500
3) Eliud Ngetich (KEN), 47:16, $1500
4) Teshome Mekone (ETH), 47:19, $1000
5) Jim Spisak (USA), 47:28, $1500*
6) Jordan Chipangama (ZAM), 48:43, $500
7) Nick Hilton (USA), 48:43, $750*
8) Brogan Austin (USA), 49:01, $250**
9) Jeffrey Eggleston (USA), 49:38
10) Matt Gillette (USA), 49:56
*Includes Open and U.S.-only prize purses
**U.S.-only prize purse
WOMEN
1) Buze Diriba (ETH), 51:38, $4000#
2) Emily Sisson (USA), 52:03, $3500*
3) Monicah Ngige (KEN), 54:13, $1500
4) Maddie Van Beek (USA), 54:39, $1750*
5) Susan Jerotich (KEN), 56:16, $750
6) Clara Santucci (USA), 56:55, $1000*
7) Bria Wetsch (USA), 58:33, $500*
8) Meghan Peyton (USA), 59:22
9) Leah Anne Wirfel (USA), 1:01:20
10) Natalie Bower (USA), 1:01:55
#Event record (previous record, 52:55, set by Buze Diriba in 2015)
*Includes Open and U.S.-only prize purses
**U.S.-only prize purse
For more information and complete results, visit: Pittsburgh10Miler.org.
About the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler
Launched in 2013 by P3R, the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler has become Pittsburgh's premier fall road race hosting more than 5,000 runners. The race opens the PRRO Circuit 2016-17, showcasing world class competition at 5 prestigious road race events shorter than the marathon distance and featuring more than $350,000 in prize money overall, with $66,900 available for U.S. athletes. The 2017 event will also host the PRRO Championship race. Read more than at: PIttsburgh10Miler.org.
FACEBOOK: Pgh10Miler TWITTER: @Pgh10Miler HASHTAG: #Pgh10Miler
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.
About the EQT Foundation
EQT and the EQT Foundation are committed to the social and economic vitality of our operating regions. For the past decade, the EQT Foundation has made a difference by supporting local programs and initiatives that involve education, community and economic development, the arts and the environment. Together with a variety of nonprofit organizations, the EQT Foundation develops strong partnerships that enrich the diversity and viability of our communities, sustain the principles of continuous learning, and focus on environmental protection efforts. Read more at: EQT.com.
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