FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amica Insurance Breakers Marathon 2007
Draws 657 Individual Runners, 53 Relay Teams
LINCOLN, RHODE ISLAND - Payton Batliner of Boulder, Colorado, and Emmily
Chelanga of Sleepy Hollow, New York, were the top runners among the
approximately 900 individuals participating in the Amica Insurance Breakers
Marathon 2007 today in Newport, Rhode Island. The event, Rhode Island's
only marathon, is a world-class destination race benefiting the Providence
Ronald McDonald House.
Batliner finished first among 407 male runners with a time of 2:27:06.
Chelanga won top honors among 250 female competitors by posting 2:56:34.
Second- and third-place men were Keven O'Neil of North Kingstown, Rhode
Island, with 2:30:33, and John Piggot of Williamsburg, Virginia, with
2:32:18. Kelli Lusk of Belchertown, Massachusetts, with 2:59:40, and Tracy
Stewart-Phelan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 3:02:40, were the
second- and third-place women finishers. All runners who completed the
course received finishers' medals.
The first-finishing relay team, "Running Heritage," posted 2:19:45. There
were 53 relay teams comprised of about 240 runners.
The marathon's participants represented 44 states and several nations, and
the winners' awards were presented at the Newport Yachting Center.
The Amica Insurance Breakers Marathon 2007 garnered strong community
support, featured first-class organization and a scenic rolling course -
USATF-certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon - through
Middletown and Newport. Its organizers, Don Allison and Danny Gough, also
planned a "Kids' Race" and partitioned the marathon route into five legs
for the relay team competition.
The 2007 Amica Insurance Breakers Marathon supported grassroots marathon
running by offering a prize money purse for the first time - the marathon
is in its fourth year - as well as expense and travel money for qualified
athletes. Top marathoners were encouraged to apply for financial support
for travel and lodging, as well as an entry fee waiver if they met the
following standards:
male marathoners who have run 2:40 or better during the past two
years
female marathoners who have run 3:05 or better during the past two
years
The prize money structure was as follows:
Open men and women
First Place $1,000
Second Place $500
Third Place $250
Age-group and in-state men and women
First 40 to 49 $200
First 50 to 59 $200
First 60 and over $200
First Rhode Islander $150
Bobby Doyle, winner of the first Ocean State Marathon in 1976, served as
Honorary Starter and Grand Marshal. Perhaps the most accomplished
marathoner in Rhode Island history, Doyle won the Ocean State Marathon six
more times and recorded three top-10 Boston Marathon finishes.
At the race, goodie bags with Amica promotional items were given to all the
runners, and employee volunteers helped at the events' themed water stops,
registration area, and finish line.
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