FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New records at Cowtown Half Marathon and 50K Ultra Marathon
Local Runner Elizabeth Northern wins races on back to back days
Sets 50K Record
Fort Worth, February 29, 2016 -- Following a year of unseasonable weather,
the Cowtown Marathon was back to its normal schedule to rave reviews and
record finish times powered by the Cowtown Elite program. In total seven
men and women ran faster than the previous course records; with new course
records confirmed in the men's and women's Half Marathon distances and in
the women's 50K Ultra Marathon.
In the men's Half Marathon, a pack of six men remained together through
eight miles until three Kenyans broke away: Nelson Oyugi, Nicholas Kurgat
and Julius Koskei. In the final mile, Oyugi pushed the pace and ultimately
won in the new course record of 1:04:34. Nicholas Kurgat held on for
second place in 1:04:41. Julius Koskei finished third in 1:05:02. All
three of the top men finished the course ahead of the previous course
record on 1:06:02. In the women's race, Veronicah Maina ran away from the
field from the start, to win in 1:11:44, annihilating the previous course
record by more than 3-1/2 minutes. Gladys Choboi finished second in
1:15:44 and Hellen Jemutai finished in third place in 1:16:23.
In the marathon, Kimutai Cheruiyot ran alone from the start and passed the
half marathon split in 1:07:15, well on his way toward a course record, but
slowed in the second half to easily win in 2:18:34 but miss the course
record by just over a minute. David Chepkwony took second place in
2:28:29. Adam Waldum, a student at TCU finished third in 2:33:10. In the
women's race, Loice Kangogo - like her teammate Kimutai Cheruiyot - ran
hard alone from the start attempting and on pace for a course record, but
slowed and fell short of the record but still maintained a win in 2:53:38.
Brennan Liming of Cary NC, took second in 3:09:30; and Dallas runner Tayler
Slack took third place in her debut marathon in 3:17:37.
Bryan Morseman, in his debut 50K race, tried for the record, but also fell
short by just over a minute while winning in 3:01:44. Scott Downard took
second place at the 50K in 3:07:08; and past Marathon champion, Logan
Sherman, finished third at the 50K in 3:09:07. The women's 50K Ultra saw
what could be considered the most impressive performance as Elizabeth
Northern of Fort Worth TX, just two weeks after running a hard marathon at
the USA Olympic Trials Marathon, ran hard to win the 50K race in 3:21:30
more than 30 minutes faster than the previous course record which had stood
for 7 years. Northern's split at the marathon point of the 50K, 2:45:38,
was faster than her marathon time of two weeks earlier and faster than
anyone of the women running the Marathon race. With the win, Northern has
been a winner at all of the Cowtown race distances: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon,
Marathon and 50K Ultra; including her win at the 5K in 17:23 the day before
the Ultra Marathon. Two other women finished their 50K faster than the
previous course records: Anna Hailey of Gardendale TX was second in 3:51:30
and Amanda Hicks of Washington DC was third in 3:53:40.
"With runners breaking records and others trying for records but falling
short, we were truly impressed by the level of athleticism at the 2016
Cowtown," commented Heidi Swartz, Executive Director of The Cowtown.
Swartz continued, "We were especially impressed by the outstanding
performance of Elizabeth Northern who crushed the 50K record in her first
ultra marathons; and showed no fear by running to a win at the 5K distance
the day before. Congratulations to Northern and to all of the tens of
thousands of runners at The Cowtown."
The Cowtown is one of the largest multi-event races in the State of Texas
and was voted favorite marathon by Competitor Magazine and readers in
January 2015. Established in 1979, The Cowtown races are presented by the
University of North Texas Health Science Center, Chase, HCA North Texas,
MillerCoors, Star-Telegram, NBC 5, Cook Children's Healthcare System and
Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet.
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