Kenya’s Elisha Barno (2:11:58) And Ethiopia’s Sinke Biyadgilgn (2:33:04) Win Twin Cities Marathon
Press Release
October 7, 2018
St. Paul, Minn. – October 1, 2018 – After falling short of victory each of the last three editions of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Elisha Barno finally crossed finish line first, winning today’s race in 2:11:58. The four-time Grandma’s Marathon champ took the lead at mile 25 to edge compatriot Boniface Kongin who ran 2:12:12.
Ethiopia’s Sinke Biyadgilgn won the women’s division of the race in her first attempt, clocking 2:33:04 and edging 2015 champion Serkalem Abrha of Ethiopia, a close runner-up in 2:33:12. Barno and Biyadgilgn each earned $7500 for their wins.
Fifteen-year-old Tierney Wolfgram of Woodbury finished sixth among women, clocking 2:40:03.
In the Medtronic TC 10 Mile contested earlier in the day 2017 champions Shadrack Kipchirchir of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Sara Hall of Flagstaff, Ariz. defended their crowns and USATF 10 Mile titles. Kipchirchir broke Abdi Abdirahman’s 2009 course record by three seconds, running 46:32.
“These guys push me every day,” said of the teammates he topped for the win. “I’m really proud of them. That’s the good thing to train with them, to train with people you compete with.”
Hall ran the challenging course in 52:47. Kipchirchir also won the race’s Equalizer Bonus, topping Hall in the competition that saw the women start 5 minutes and 45 second ahead of the men. Kipchirchir and Hall earned $12,500 each for their wins, with Kipchirchir pocketing an additional $10,000 for this Equalizer win.
“Thursday I was 100% I wasn’t coming,” Hall said referring to concerns about a hamstring injury. “But, I said I’m going to go for it and I’m really thankful I did. I didn’t feel it at all.”
Leonard Korir of Colorado Springs was runner-up in the men’s race for the second year in a row in 46:35; women’s event record holder Molly Huddle of Providence, R.I. was runner up for women in 52:48. Elk River native Ema Bates was third in 52:51.
“I tried to push and I saw Boniface was very strong,” marathon champion Barno said. “Boniface put on a surge and I was right with him. I feel very happy and feel like I want to cry, to be a champion is not easy.”
Hermin Garic of Utica, N.Y. won the men’s wheeler title in 1:53:00. Rebecca Walker of Little Canada won the women’s title in 3:01:13.
A record 10,896 runners finished the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. More than 6800 runners finished the marathon. All told, more than 26,000 runners participated in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend events.
“For runners, it was an awesome day to run, cool and overcast,” Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said. “We are pleased to organize an event that gives the community an opportunity to run from Minneapolis to St. Paul and ignite their inner athletes.”.
Find complete results and additional information at tcmevents.org.