Olympian Leonard Korir (47:13) And Buze Diriba (51:38) Win Pittsburgh 10 Miler
Diriba Defends Title and Shatters Event Record, Korir Repeats
Press Release
November 6, 2016
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: www.Pittsburgh10Miler.org