Duncan Kibet Runs 2nd Fastest Half Marahton Ever in America at Inaugural San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Race Press Release
SAN
JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2006) - Ideal running conditions greeted the
inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Jose Sunday morning,
setting the stage for strong performances by both the men's and women's
fields. Newcomer Duncan Kibet, 28, of Kenya won after setting a
blistering pace en route to the second fastest half marathon time ever
on American soil, covering the 13.1-mile course in a time of 1 hour, 22
seconds. His time trails only that of running legend Haile Gebrselassie
of Ethiopia who shattered the world record when he ran 58:55 earlier
this year (Jan. 15, 2006, P.F Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, Tempe,
AZ.).
On the women's side Silvia Skvortsova, 31, of Russia won a
two-woman battle when she pulled away over the final mile and crossed
the finish line in a personal best 1:09:17. Kenyan Edna Kiplagat, 26,
who was competing in her third half marathon in the last five weeks,
was second in 1:09:32, a personal best.
Both champions earned
$8,000 for their victories, plus an additional $2,000 for setting
California state records. Additionally, three men and four women also
ran under the old state record times (men 1:02:06, women - 1:11:16).
American
Meb Keflezighi (San Diego, Calif./UCLA) suffered a hamstring cramp
heading into the 11th mile and decided to pull off the course at that
point, saving himself for the Nov. 5 ING New York City Marathon. He was
in third place at the time and gaining on second, having gone thru 10
miles at 46:45, one of the fastest times ever by an American for that
distance. Jen Rhines (Ardmore, Pa./Villanova), who like Keflezighi
trains with Team Running USA in Mammoth, Calif., was the first American
woman, finishing sixth in 1:12:09.
Kibet took off like a shot
from the start line, taking fellow Kenyan William Chebon, 23, with him.
The two stuck together thru the first three miles and methodically
opened a commanding lead, flying thru the first 5k at 13:40, well under
world record pace.
After mile four Kibet took control, dropping
Chebon as they passed under the historic San Pedro Square arch and
maintaining the impressive pace, passing the 10k mark at 27:45. Sensing
he had the race in hand, Kibet slowed his pace over the final miles and
cruised alone to the finish line.
" I expected to run fast here,
but I was worried (early in the race) that the pack would catch me,"
Kibet said. "I was happy with my time and the course was very fast."
The
women stayed in a pack of six early on but by mile seven it was down to
three, with Magdalene Makunzi a step behind Skvortsova and Kiplagat.
Makunzi was dropped by mile eight and it was a two-woman race from
there. The women jockeyed back and forth, neither one ever more than 10
meters ahead of the other until the final mile.
"This was a
surprise for me," said Skvortsova, who crossed the finish line with a
large smile on her face. "I was thinking Edna was the winner until the
last mile. She was helpful for me. "
Former 49er and three-time
Super Bowl champion Roger Craig finished the race in a time of 1:40:27.
Craig played an integral role in introducing the musical marathon
concept to the City of San Jose. The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
attracted nearly 12,000 entrants in its first year.
-- Top 10 Results Follow -
Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Jose, Calif. Oct. 8, 2006
Top 10 Men Place, Name, Age, Country, Time, Prize money 1, Duncan Kibet, 28, Kenya, 1:00:22, $10,000* 2, William Chebon, 23, Kenya, 1:01:07, $5,000 3, Reuben Chebii, 24, Kenya, 1:01:56, $3,000 4, Luke Kipkosgei, 30, Kenya, 1:02:08, $2,000 5, Nicodemus Malakwen, 25, Kenya, 1:02:21, $1,500 6, Joseph Chirlee, 25 Kenya, 1:02:22, $ 1,250 7, Ernest Meli Kimeli, 20, Kenya, 1:02:31, $1,000 8, Charles Kiama, 20, Kenya, 1:03:39, $750 9, Julius Limo, 28, Kenay, 1:03:40, $600 10, Davis Kabiru, 23, Kenya, 1:04:52, $500
