Kiprotich Victorious at 29th Annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run
Kenyan newcomer wins women's race Race Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sept. 17, 2006) – Under clear skies outside the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, both the men's and women's races at the
29th annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run were won in
almost identical fashion as each athlete displayed a powerful final
kick inside 200 yards to the finish line. Kenyan Wilson Kiprotich, 26,
covered the 13.1-mile distance in a time of 1:01:05 on the men's side,
and fellow Kenyan, 18-year-old Lineth Chepkurui won the women's race in
1:10:09.
Even though he finished second to Kiprotich, the race was controlled by
American Abdi Abdirahman, 29, from Tucson, Ariz. Abdirahman was the
only man testing the pack as he flirted with an American half marathon
record pace through the majority of the race. He finished in 1:01:07.
"I came here to run fast and I wasn't going to sit around and let it (the race) go slow," said Abdirahman.
Just after the men's pack turned south on to Kelly Drive, having
crossed the Schuylkill River over Falls Bridge, the men were still
tightly packed as they had been from the start of the race. At mile 10,
the pace picked up dramatically as Abdirahman and Kiprotich began to
pull away.
By mile 11, it was clear those two men would battle to the finish as
they pushed a one-hour pace. Quickly closing on the finish line, 100
yards out, the pair was neck-and-neck before Kiprotich turned on his
final kick and broke away, crossing the finish line unchallenged.
In the women's race, a lively and confident newcomer surprised the
competition with her talent and finishing speed. Just over a year in
to her professional running career, Chepkurui felt she took a
significant step with her victory in Philadelphia's historic half
marathon.
"I was surprised by my performance, but I was confident today," Chepkurui said. "I trained very hard for this race"
Challenged only by fellow Kenyan Edna Kipalagat, 26, Chepkurui
displayed strong form in a talented field that included the 2000
Olympic marathon gold medalist Naoko Takahashi, 34, of Japan.
By mile 5, the pack of 17 women had dwindled to eight with Chepkurui,
Kiplagat and Takahashi at the front on a 70-minute pace. However, the
pack began to string out as Chepkurui and Kiplagat started to take
control at the 10k mark, opening a 20-second lead on the rest of the
women.
The Kenyan lead continued to increase approaching mile 11 and attention
turned briefly to American Colleen De Reuck, 42, as the elite masters
runner, in sixth position overall, appeared to be on a masters' world
record pace. De Reuk fell short of the world record by approximately
nine seconds finishing in 1:11:50.
Just as the men had done only minutes before, Chepkurui and Kiplagat
approached the finish side-by-side. When she realized Kiplagat did not
have her finishing kick, Chepkurui turned on the speed and sprinted to
her second career half marathon win.
Chepkurui won the challenging Standard Chartered Nairobi Half Marathon
on Oct. 5, 2005 and draws her inspiration from running legend and
six-time Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run champion
Catherine Ndereba of Kenya.
Over 11,000 participants made up the largest field ever for the 29th
annual Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run. Participants were
treated to live music at nearly every mile on the course, as well as
local high school cheer squads, which entertained and motivated the
runners and walkers.
-- TOP 10 RESULTS FOLLOW --
2006 Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run
Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 17, 2006
Top 10 Men
Place, Name, Age, Country, Time, Prize Money
1, Wilson Kiprotich, 26, Kenya, 1:01:05, $8,000
2, Abdi Abdirahman, 29, USA, 1:01:07, $5,000
3, Sammy Kipketer, 26, Kenya, 1:01:25, $3,000
4, Mohammed Amyn, 30, Morrocco, 1:01:31, $2,000
5, Samuel Ndereba, 28, Kenya, 1:01:50, $1,500
6, Reuben Chebii, 24, Kenya, 1:01:57, $1,250
7, Luke Kipkosgei, 30, Kenya, 1:02:01, $1,000
8, Julius Kibet, 24, Kenya, 1:02:14, $750
9, Joseph Chirlee, 25, USA, 1:02:18, $600
10, David Kemboi, 23, Kenya, 1:02:31, $500
* Includes $1,000 for winning the Master's competition.
Masters (40 yrs. and over)
Men
1, Darren De Reuck, 41, USA, 1:12:45, $1,000
2, Greg Watson, 40, USA, 1:13:33, $250
3, Steve Metraux, 42, USA, 1:13:35, $250
Women
1, Colleen De Reuck, 42, USA, 1:11:50, $1,000
2, Stephanie Herbst-Luck, 40, USA, 1:16:24, $250
3, Doreen McCoubrie, 44, USA, 1:19:44, $250
First Philadelphia resident
1, Macharia Yuot, 24, 1:06:18, Declined
1, Emily Kroshus, 23, 1:18:32, $1,000
