FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First-Timer, Defending Champion Claim Maui Marathon Titles
KA'ANAPALI, MAUI, HAWAII (Sept. 20, 2009) – Marc Collie of Canada and
women's defending champion Yoko Yamazawa of Japan each won decisive
victories at the 39th Maui Marathon held Sunday, September 20, 2009. Over
2,600 runners representing 17 different countries were registered in the
26.2 and 13.1-mile events held in Maui. Collie, 38, took the lead about two
miles into the race, finishing in 2 hours, 41 minutes, 15 seconds – more
than eight minutes ahead of Gregory Christopher of Kentwood, Mich., who
placed second in 2:49:20. "It was a lot of fun," said Collie, a resident of
Cochrane, Alberta. "The marathon's aid stations were great and the
volunteers are amazing." This was Collie's first Maui Marathon and he is
already planning to return to for next year's event. "I look forward to
enjoying a nice vacation in Maui now that the race is over," added Collie,
who is staying for a week. Roberto Plascencia of Tucson, Arizona, finished
third in 2:50:59. It was deja vu Hawaiian style for Yamazawa who, for the
second consecutive year, secured the lead in the women's field about
mid-way into the 26.2-mile race en route to a victory. Her time of 3:14:07
was almost five minutes slower than her 2008 finish but more than seven
minutes ahead of second-place finisher Hiroko Endo (3:21:08). Jessely
Orpilla finished third (3:22:03). It was Yamazawa's fifth Maui Marathon and
has placed in the top three women every year.
Race director Rudy Huber commented that the Maui Marathon was truly unique
as it offered runners' breathtaking views of sunrise lighting Halaeakala
and miles of the warm waters of the Pacific. "To add to the festivity, each
aid station was decorated with a Hawaiian or cultural theme and popular
local bands entertained participants and their supporters at the finish
line."
The scenic point-to-point Maui Marathon course started in Kahului, ran
along Maui's coastal Honoapiilani Highway and through historic Lahaina
before finishing in front of Whalers Village in the Ka'anapali Beach
Resort. Over 17 miles of the race is along the ocean.
The sixth annual Maui Half Marathon was won by Matt Stevens with a time of
1:01:05. Keiko Kodama placed first in the women's division in 1:20:15.
The out-and-back Maui Half Marathon course started at the marathon finish
line in Ka'anapali and followed the last 6 ½ miles of the marathon course,
including colorful Lahaina.
Newlyweds Holly and Chris Gregory who are honeymooning in Maui participated
in this year's marathon. They plan to run in a marathon organized within
each of the 50 American states.
Thomas Bruck began running in marathons when he turned sixty. He
participated twice in the San Diego Marathon and Honolulu Marathon. "This
is my first year at the Maui Marathon. I believe living healthy and
marathon running helps me keep track of my overall fitness,' added Bruck.
Race day temperatures ranged from mid-70s at the 5:30 a.m. start in Kahului
to the low to mid-80s at the finish in Ka'anapali.
The events benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training,
Aids Marathon Training Program and over 12 local charities. Major sponsors
include: the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Maui Visitors Bureau, The Westin
Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali Beach Resort Association and Whalers Village.
Complete results at: www.MauiMarathon.com
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