FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Solomon Too Wins 2011 ING Hartford Marathon,
Erica Jesseman Wins Women's Race in Her First-Ever Marathon
HARTFORD, OCTOBER 15, 2011 UPDATED 7:15PM – The 18th annual ING Hartford
Marathon hosted more than 12,000 participants, who crossed the finish line
in downtown Hartford's Bushnell Park after marathon, half-marathon or 5K
races. Solomon Too, of High Falls, NY, won the marathon, crossing the
finish line in 2:21:03. He was followed by fellow High Falls, NY, runner
Folisho Tuko, both top finishers are Ethiopian and run together in a
Westchester, NY, running club. Last year's ING Hartford Marathon winner
Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA, placed third. Erica Jesseman, of
Scarborough, ME, won the women's race in 2:45:00 at her first appearance in
Hartford and her first-ever marathon.
Top five men's marathon winners are:
2:21:03 Solomon Too, 27, High Falls, NY
2:21:33 Folisho Tuko, 25, High Falls, NY
2:22:18 Michael Wardian, 37, Arlington, VA
2:23:10 Daniel Vassallo, 26, Wilmington, MA
2:26:01 Justin Fyffe, 31, East Dummenston, VT
The top women's finishers are eligible for additional prize money as part
of the New England Finest Elite program, which recognizes talented runners
from the region.
Top five women's marathon winners are:
2:45:00 Erica Jesseman, 22, Scarborough, ME
2:45:31 Ashley Gorr, 24, Wellfleet, MA
2:48:04 Lesley Hocking, 31, Dover, NH
2:54:45 Breanne Simpson, 28, Irvington, NY
2:56:30 Mary-Lynn Currier, 47, Canton, CT
In the 13.1 mile men's half marathon, 2010 third place finisher Mathew
Kiplagat of Irvington, NY, won with a time of 1:06:23. Second place
finisher Nate Jenkins of Andover, MA, came in at 1:08:16 to take second
place. With a time of 1:09:25, Drew Bean of Orange, TX, took third place of
the ING Hartford Half Marathon, which was recognized as a State
Championship Race by Road Runner's Club of America.
New England's Finest Elite runners came in strong with all three women's
place finishers in the half marathon. Kimberly Smith of Providence, RI,
beat her own first place finish time from 2010 to set a new course record
of 1:11:18. Jodie Conway, of Framingham, MA, came in second place with a
time of 1:20:04, and Mary Pardi, of Falmouth, ME, took third place with a
time of 1:20:57.
In the 5K men's race, New London, CT, runner Stephen Pretak took first
place with a time of 15:35. With a time of 15:51, Christopher McCormack of
Manchester, CT, came in second; McCormack was the 2010 men's 5K third place
finisher. Claiming third place this year, Jason Theobald of Philadelphia,
PA, came in at 16:27.
Women's 5K first place finisher was Cayla Hatton, of Farmington, CT, with a
time of 17:08. Melissa Stellato, from Windsor, CT, came in second with a
time of 18:08. With a time of 18:41 to win third place was Katrina Gravel
of Peabody, MA.
About the Hartford Marathon Foundation
The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded
in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be
healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon
Foundation organizes nearly 30 annual athletic events, including the ING
Hartford Marathon. For more information, visit www.INGHartfordMarathon.com
About ING U.S.
ING U.S. includes the U.S insurance, retirement and asset management
businesses of Dutch-based ING Groep NV. In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING)
family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to
retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement
plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments,
institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits and
financial planning. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and
serves approximately 15 million customers across the nation. For more
information, visit www.ing.us.
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