FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meb Keflezighi Sets 20k American Record En-Route to
Winning 2009 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Jose
Perfect Running Weather and Fast Course Provides
a Fast Race for 4th Annual Bay Area Event
San Jose, Calif – October 4, 2009 – California's fastest half-marathon
lived up to its billing Sunday as American Meb Keflezighi set a new U.S.
20k record and bettered his personal best by 25 seconds winning the Rock
'n' Roll Half Marathon in a time of 1:01:00. Keflezighi's 20k split of
57:52 broke Ryan Hall's standing 20K record of 57:54 set in 2006.
"The other runners looked like they were struggling with the 4:30 pace
early on, so I decided to leave the pack and go on my own," said
Keflezighi, who pulled a way from the pack just after mile 3, competing in
a showdown against the clock. "It was a great atmosphere out there today; I
just wanted to maintain a solid pace through 10 miles and then see what I
had left. I ran a personal best by 25 seconds and I'm 34, so I am very
excited with my performance."
A 19-time U.S. Champion, Keflezighi's half-marathon time ranks him number
three all-time on the American list for a record standard course. He sits
behind only Mark Curp's 1:00:55 from 1985 and Ryan Hall's American record
59:43 from 2007.
"As Roger Craig said 'I did it today' and it's just nice to be healthy. I'm
ready for New York and look forward to continuing my marathon training,"
added Keflezighi, whose pending 20k record reclaimed the title he held
before Hall. "My long term goal is London 2012 and I still I have a
marathon PR in me. Today's race proved that age doesn't mean a thing."
The women's race was led by Belainesh Gebre of Ethiopia who crossed the
line in 1:11:24. Bay Area resident Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, who made her
Olympic debut for the U.S. in Beijing, finished a close second with a new
personal best of 1:11:46. Her previous half-marathon best of 1:11:47 was
set in 2008.
"Last week was a high mileage week and I didn't feel that great out there,"
said Lewy-Boulet, who is training for the ING New York City Marathon. "I
skipped the World Half Marathon Championships to run here in my backyard
because I wanted to support our local race. I set a personal best which is
great, and I'll be back next year.
On a perfect fall morning that dawned with clear blue skies, the 4th annual
Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon kicked off one California's fastest
road races, the site of both the men's and women's half marathon records
for the State of California.
Runners from 44 states and 11 countries participated in the race, including
a group of California's fastest runners, who competed in the event's first
California Cup. Three-time Super Bowl Champion Roger Craig completed his
fourth straight San Jose race in a time of 1:48:27. He was followed by
soccer star Brandi Chastain running for her third straight year in 1:59:03.
All race participants enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment along the
tree-lined course, with bands and cheerleaders at each mile to keep the
energy high. The Finish Line Festival at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez in
downtown San Jose kept the party atmosphere going with free MGD 64 for all
of-age participants and a headliner concert with Grammy-winning blues and
jazz artist Jonny Lang.
The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will celebrate its 5th Anniversary in San
Jose on October 3, 2010. For more information, please visit
www.runrocknroll.com.
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