Meb Keflezighi Wins USATF Masters Title at Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
92-year-old Harriette Thompson becomes oldest woman in the world to run a marathon
Competitor Group Press Release
May 31, 2015
SAN DIEGO – San Diego lived up to its nickname as “America’s Finest City” this weekend. More than 26,000 athletes ran through its streets at the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon on Sunday and the new Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K on Saturday.
The half-marathon doubled as the USATF Masters Half Marathon Championships and 40-year-old Meb Keflezighi, competing in his first race as a master, took home the title with a time of 1:02:29. The fastest ever half-marathon run by an American master.
For Keflezighi, an Olympic silver medalist and winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons, the race was especially memorable considering that the 40-year-old broke two American masters records enroute (10 mile and 15K) and ended up with the USATF Masters title—his first. Jen Rhines from Boston won the women’s masters race in 1:16:36.
Keflezighi recalled the “MEB ZONE” after the race (a cheering section that pays tribute to him near the finish) and how it helped him in the home stretch. “It was an awesome place to be,” he said of the area where he gave spectators high fives after finishing. “My goal was to run to win and I did that. I wish I won the overall. But second place is a good place,” said the San Diego-native.
Aside from Meb’s Masters performance, it was 92-year-old Harriette Thompson who stole the show, finishing the marathon in 7:24:36.The two-time cancer survivor started running at the young age of 76, and ran her 16th marathon in San Diego today to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on behalf of Team Harriette, please visit: http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/rnr15/hthompson.
With a time of 1:02:27 Jordan Chipangama finished first in the men’s half-marathon, Keflezighi second and third place went to Shadrack Biwott (1:03:11). The women’s half-marathon race was a decisive affair with Japan’s Eri Hayakawa prevailing in1:10:50. Jessica Trengrove from Australia was a distant second, clocking 1:11:10, while third went to American runner Sara Hall who came across the finish line in 1:11:31.
California’s own Igor Campos was men’s marathon winner. The 31-year-old scientist lives in Chula Vista and ran 2:37:05. “It’s super amazing. I’m super stoked,” he said at the finish about being a local champion. Campos didn’t lead the race from the start. He recalled that he caught the first-place runner near the 21-mile mark. Suddenly, the leader stopped to stretch his legs and Campos took advantage of that moment.
“The leader started walking, so I dropped the hammer. In case he recovered I thought, ‘I’ve gotta get out of here,'” said Campos. “I just tried to survive those final miles.” Campos traditionally runs ultra marathons, so he was a bit surprised to prevail at a distance that’s much shorter and faster than he’s used to running. Behind Campos in second was 22-year-old Chris Collins (2:39:17). And third was awarded to Boone Ebel from Chandler, Ariz. who ran 2:41:56.
The women’s marathon champion was also a Californian. Twenty-four-year-old Lenore Moreno blazed the course in 2:41:39(the second-fastest time overall for the day). Moreno was pacing with the men nearly the entire race. “It was kind of scary,” Moreno said of the race that was her debut marathon. “I felt good and said I was going to just go for it. I thought of it like a practice run for this distance,” she recalled.
Moreno says she got into running after leaving high school and entering community college. “I didn’t expect the win today,” she said with a big smile on her face. “It was something I will never forget. The cheering out there on the course and all the spectators really helped.” Second place went to Zoila Gomez (2:48:02), while the final podium slot was awarded to Susan Smith who ran 2:58:18.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the official charity of the race. The charity’s endurance training program, Team In Training, welcome more than 300 runners who raised $1 million for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the race this weekend. Team in Training has raised more than $260 million dollars through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events since the inception of the Series in 1998.
The Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon took place over the weekend of May 29-31, starting with an interactive 2-day Health & Fitness Expo. The new Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K on Saturday, offered participants two days of running and the chance to take on the Remix Challenge by running both days. The race routes incorporate a scenic tour of San Diego’s neighborhood charm, passing through Little Italy, Old Town, University Heights and Normal Heights, before ending by Petco Park at 13th and K Street, with a celebratory finish line festival.
The Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series with headliner O.A.R. gave participants a reason to rock out at San Diego’s Petco Park on Sunday after the race. In addition to O.A.R.’s performance, runners enjoyed the sounds of motivational music and entertainment along the course, along with enthusiastic cheerleaders and thousands of encouraging spectators.
For more information or to register for the event, visit RunRocknRoll.com and follow the event on Twitter @RunRocknRoll.
Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Results – May 31, 2015
Place, Name, Age, Hometown, Time
Men’s Half Marathon
- Jordan Chipangama, 26, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:02:27
- Meb Keflezighi, 40, San Diego, CA, 1:02:29
- Shadrack Biwott, 30, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 1:03:11
Women’s Half Marathon
- Eri Hayakawa, 33, Japan, 1:10:50
- Jessica Trengrove, 27, Australia, 1:11:10
- Sara Hall, 32, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 1:11:31
Men’s Marathon
- Igor Campos, 31, Chula Vista, CA, 2:37:05
- Chris Collins, 22, Yorba Linda, CA, 2:39:17
- Boone Ebel, 34, Chandler, AZ, 2:41:56
Women’s Marathon
- Lenore Moreno, 24, West Covina, CA, 2:41:39
- Zoila Gomez, 35, Alamosa, CO, 2:48:02
- Susan Smith, 22, Portland, OR, 2:58:18