FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rivero Gonzalez Finds Winner's Circle Again at Miami Marathon
MIAMI, FL. (Jan. 25, 2015) -- Guatemalan Luis Rivero Gonzalez has run four
marathons in his life. Three of them have been in Miami. There is a reason.
There is something about the tropical ambience and International flavor of
South Florida's top distance running event, presented by
Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM), that brings out
the best in Rivero Gonzalez.
So it was not a surprise to see Rivero Gonzalez down on his knees, crying
tears of joy in triumph just past the finish line, when he won Sunday's
13th edition of the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon for the second time in
three years.
"I'm very happy because entering an international marathon like this one
three years in a row is very difficult to win," said Rivero Gonzalez, who
pulled away from 2009 winner Benazzouz Slimani after 21 miles to win in a
personal best 2:20:47. "It's a dream come true. It's something you imagine
and dream about, but when it comes true, it's marvelous."
Alemnesh Esthu Habtemikael of Ethiopia held off Argentine Maria de Los
Angeles Peralta at the finish line to take the women's title by two seconds
in 2:39:31. The two battled neck-and-neck for the greater majority of the
race, but Habtemikael had the greater kick down the home stretch on
Biscayne Blvd. Third place went to Miami's Erika Huerta who covered the
distance in 2:55:26.
"I started pushing in the last 100 meters, even though I was tired, but I
saw that [second place Peralta] was also tired," Habtemikael said. "I kind
of saw that I could do it and just pushed it, told myself, 'I'm going to go
for it.'"
In the men's half marathon, Argentine Mariano Mastomarino was the clear
winner in 1:05:24, with the next four runners separated by just 21 seconds.
They included Michael Ottoniel Mucia Lopez of Guatemala (1:07:01), Mario
Maias of Boulder, Colorado (1:07:07) and Jonny Wilson of Flagstaff, Arizona
(1:07:21).
Future Dominican Olympic hopeful Suranyi Rodriguez, 22, led the women's
half marathon from beginning-to-end for her second career win at the
distance, finishing in 1:19:12..
It was a banner day for running, with start time temperatures in the 50's
and very little of the humidity that can be typical of Miami. Nearly 21,000
runners navigated through the communities of Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut
Grove, with glistening cruise ships and the art deco colors of South Beach
among the unique backdrops enjoyed on the way to the finish line in front
of Bayfront Park and the downtown high-rises. The destination race brings
an estimated $65 million in economic impact to the area each year, with
runners representing 80 countries and all 50 states.
Slimani. who placed second in Miami in 2011 and third in 2012, tried to
keep up with Rivero Gonzalez, who was a total unknown when he first showed
up in Miami in 2013. Back then, he didn't even have a time to enter to
qualify as an elite runner because it was his first marathon. Now he said
the experience of the past three Miami Marathons was instrumental in
running a personal-best time on Sunday.
"The experience is fundamental, and it helped me a lot winning the race
today," said Rivero Gonzalez, who became the event's second two-time winner
after finishing third last year. "I've continued gaining experience and
today I ran my best time by four minutes."
Rivero Gonzalez believes the experience helps him know when to strike in
the race.
Running alongside Slimani for the first two-thirds of the 26.2 mile
circuit, Rivero Gonzalez bolted when the pair caught up to third-place
finisher Elvin Cu Cacao in the 19th mile.
"Running the marathon is all about patience, and I was just waiting for the
moment to attack," said Rivero Gonzalez. "My message to all my people back
home is that you can be successful and make it in the United States - not
just in sports, but in all walks of life "
Cu Cacao, 23, said his hip began giving out and he started cramping up at
the 19-mile mark, which slowed him down enough for Rivero Gonzalez and
Slimani to pass him.
"I started fast looking to run a personal best, but I simply could not
maintain the pace," said Cu Cacao. "It took everything out of me to finish
the race and make the time I did."
The women's marathon's photo finish was proceeded by a cat-and-mouse race
between the two ladies that left the loser a tad upset when it was over.
The anguish of losing by a small margin after running 26-plus miles was
evident from Peralta's facial expression as she crossed the finish line.
Peralta, a 37-year-old Argentine claimed that she felt contact from behind
several times in the race, but Habtemikael refused to pass her and instead
was content to stay on her heels.
"It had me running frustrated the entire race," said Peralta, who also
placed second in Miami's half marathon in 2011.
Even though he missed his personal best of 1:04:40, there was not very much
for Mastromarino to be concerned about in the men's half marathon. He led
from the start.
"I love the course, the race," said the 32-year old Mastromarino. "I felt a
little bit cold, but I felt great. Everything was beautiful. Some fans
recognized me and were cheering for me in Spanish."
Rodriguez's time of 1:19:12 was three minutes off her personal best in the
women's half marathon..
"I felt good. The whole race went fine," she said. "It was a great course.
I found it easy to run."
Race Director Javier Sanchez was thrilled with the 13th edition of the
event.
"Our vision is in the long-term development and growth and premium
experience for all participants," Sanchez said. "It was a wonderful race
and very competitive. And it was great to see so much international
representation.
"Wearing the title of Miami Marathon champion and representing their
country means a great deal to these runners. So I was not surprised to see
a couple of our former champions win again."
About the Miami Marathon
The Miami Marathon is Florida's elite distance race with 25,000 runners
representing all 50 states and over 105 countries converging on Miami and
South Beach to experience one of the most unique courses in the world. The
race has come a long way since 3,400 runners participated in the first
Miami Marathon in 2003. Participants include elite runners, top age-group
competitors, and many thousands who run for charity and to achieve their
own personal goals. Together they enjoy the tropical views and the sounds
of South Florida, with a diverse array of entertainment blended into the
experience, and generate more than $50 million in total economic impact for
the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps
organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health
objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their
areas of interest - or discovering new passions - both inside and outside
of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family
recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The Company's Healthy Way of Life approach enables
customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places
of uncompromising quality and value. As of January 6, 2015, the Company
operated 113 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC®
brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life
Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.
###
|
