Joyce Chepkirui Runs Away With 2013 Falmouth Road Race Women’s Title

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom
(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

FALMOUTH, MASS. (11-Aug) — Kenya’s Joyce Chepkirui won her second road race titles in eight days, breaking the tape first here at the 41st New Balance Falmouth Road Race. Under perfect sunny skies, Chepkirui put on a show on the sometimes winding roads between Woods Hole and Falmouth Heights.

Before even passing the mile mark and historic Nobska Lighthouse, Chepkirui and Kenyan compatriot Linet Masai had broken from the pack of about eight women.

The two would run together –Chepkirui always doing the leading duties with Masai a step behind– ultimately gaining a 20 second advantage on the field by the third mile. In the chase pack behind, Britain’s Gemma Steel and Burundi’s Diane Nukuri-Johnson worked together trying to keep the Kenyans in sight.

“She didn’t give us a chance really, she took off from the start,” said Steel, 27, with a laugh.

Midway through the third mile, it appeared as if it would be an all African duel to the finish. Both Masai and Chepkirui looked focused on the task at hand, passing the ocean and sandy beaches without even the slightest look tothe side.

Chepkirui’s big break came as the pair approached the four mile mark. Within a matter of seconds, Masai went from on her shoulder to ten meters back.

“I am coming back from injury so my body is not great now. I am still struggling, not feeling well but I hope I will feel better soon,” Masai told Race Results Weekly, explaining that her calf has been giving her trouble, forcing her toslow down.

With the loss of Masai, Chepkirui had the roads all to herself. For the remaining three miles, she would rule the pavement, her only challenge being the final hill a half mile from the finish which organizers have dubbed “Little Heartbreak.”

“The last mile was very hard for me, because of the hill is very steep,” said Chepkirui.

For Masai, the final miles would be even harder. Little by little the former IAAF World Champion over 10,000m fell back towards the waiting Steel and Nukuri-Johnson. What once was a 10-second gap between Masai and thechasers soon became 5 seconds; shortly after reaching the six mile mark, Masai was caught.

While Chepkirui broke the tape comfortably in front in 36:42.8, the battle was on for second. Storming down the final downhill, Steel turned on the jets to edge Masai by a meter, giving a pump of the fist as she crossed the line.

“I think it was my mental strength today to catch her,” said Steel, who timed 37:05.8. “It’s just a dream really to pull it out of the bag when it matters.”

Masai wound up third in 37:06.5, with Nukuri-Johnson fourth in 37:15.2.

The show belonged to Chepkirui, though, who became the seventh Kenyan women to win the race since 2000.

“It feels very good to win again,” said Chepkirui, who is based in Iten. Chepkirui’s win is her second in eight days, as she was victorious at the TD Beach to Beacon 10K last Saturday.

Finishing in sixth as the top American was Alexi Pappas. The 23-year-old was spurred on by many of her Dartmouth College teammates and friends along the course, including NCAA champion Abbey D’Agostino and coach Mark Coogan.

On the eve of today’s race, Coogan spoke with Pappas and told her to be tough and to expect the pain. That, combined with the advice American marathoner Deena Kastor gave her last week –to take in the crowd and use it as an advantage– Pappas had the best race she could’ve imagined.

“It’s just really amazing,” she said. “It’s been an amazing weekend and something I am really going to reflect on. I’m proud of it but I’m ready for more.”

Results below.

Men’s Race: Micah Kogo Captures Close Victory Over Ben True at 2013 Falmouth Road Race

Results:
WOMEN (Extended Net Times) –
1. Joyce Chepkirui, 24, KEN                    36:42.8  $10,000
2. Gemma Steel, 27, GBR                        37:05.8    7,500
3. Linet Masai, 23, KEN                        37:06.5    5,000
4. Diane Nukuri-Johnson, 28, BDI               37:15.2    3,500
5. Adrienne Herzog, 27, NED                    37:20.8    2,000
6. Alexi Pappas, 23, Eugene, OR                37:31.9    5,000a
7. Katie Matthews, 22, Rocky Hill, CT          37:49.6    3,000a
8. Jane Murage, 26, KEN                        37:57.8
9. Frances Koons, 27, Bryn Mawr, PA            38:07.0    2,000a
10. Delilah DiCrescenzo, 24, New York City, NY  38:22.1    1,000a
11. Laura Nagel, 21, NZL                        38:23
12. Tara Erdmann, 24, Portland, OR              38:55        500a
13. Sara Vaughn, 27, Beaverton, OR              40:12
14. Kara Foster, 23, Boalsburg, PA              40:36
15. Jess Barton, 24, Newton, MA                 41:34
16. Lindsay Willard, 34, Somerville, MA         41:52
17. Kristin Johansen, 27, Longmont, CO          42:03
18. Melody Fairchild, 39, Boulder, CO           42:14
19. Erin Murphy, 20, Easton, MA                 42:43
20. Anisa Arsenault, 21, Attleboro, MA          42:44
21. Dianna Chivakos, 30, Melrose, MA            42:51
22. Caitlin Fahey, 22, Bridgewater, MA          42:56
23. Nikki Braceras, 19, Essex Junction, VT      42:59
24. Ashley Miller, 24, Tipton, IA               43:04
25. Kara Haas, 42, Chelmsford, MA               43:06        1000m
26. Melissa Henry, 26, Brookline, MA            43:36
27. Emily Norton, 31, Los Angeles, CA           43:42
28. Amanda Waldron, 21, Walpole, MA             43:47
29. Stephanie Garcia, 25, Charlottesville, VA   43:56
30. Heidi Gregson, 23, AUS                      43:56
31. Lauren Philbrook, 26, Hopkinton, MA         43:56
32. Joan Samuelson, 56, Cape Elizabeth, ME      44:04         500m
33. Aisha Praught, 23, Moline, IL               44:16
…
Stephanie Rothstein Bruce, 29, Flagstaff, AZ DNF
Lineth Chepkurui, KEN                        DNS
m= Earned Masters Prize Money
a= Earned American Prize Money