FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Solid Performances Highlight The
2020 Annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon And Half Marathon
NAPA, Calif.-March 1, 2020-4,500 eager competitors lined up at the starting
lines for the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon (NVM) and Half
Marathon-the largest turnout in the event's 42-year history. There were
also approximately 600 starters in the accompanying Kiwanis Club of Greater
Napa 5K Run. The weather was almost ideal for running: Mostly overcast, and
low to mid-40-degree temperature.
In the traditional 26.2-mile full marathon race that traverses the length
of the scenic Napa Valley wine producing region, Ryan Smith (age 40,
Boulder, Colo.) and Anne Theisen (47, Mazama Wash.) emerged as men's and
women's overall victors.
Smith, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Scotland with solid
credentials as a marathoner, ultra-marathoner, and trail runner, crossed
the finish line in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 47 seconds.
"I was surprised by the time because I actually didn't feel it was going
that well," said Smith who was largely unchallenged by other competitors
the entire duration of the race. "I was just running to my plan. I mostly
went by feel and didn't glance down at my watch too much. It's actually
been quite awhile since I've run a marathon because I've mostly been doing
50s and 100s."
Last year Smith emerged as men's victor at the very competitive Leadville
Trail 100 mile race, a grueling journey through the Rocky Mountains.
Nicholas Budzyn (34, Citrus Heights, Calif.) was second place male at NVM,
running 2:30:34.
"All day I was in second place by myself," Budzyn said. "I had an eye (on
the leader) almost the entire time, but just wasn't making up distance. I
was happy just running alone."
In the women's race, Theisen battled with eventual second placer Catherine
Medvene (30, New York, NY) for 16 miles before taking the permanent lead
and heading to the finish line at Napa's Vintage High School for a solid
victory. Her time of 2:52:58 was a personal best by three minutes. Medvene
followed in 2:53:18.
"I felt really fantastic through the entire race," Theisen said. "My quads
started to squeal a little bit at mile 23, but it was nothing that I
couldn't manage. Near the end I heard from the crowd that (Medvene) was
approaching so I really had to hit the accelerator. This race has a great
course, great size, and is very well managed."
Theisen attributed her victory to a solid weekly training program that
includes running about 50 to 60 miles and 30 to 40 miles of Nordic cross
country skiing for strength. On top of that she's married, a mother of two
teenage boys, and an owner of a marketing and graphic design business.
Medvene said that she trailed Theisen by about 20 yards for the entire race
which resulted in a huge 18-minute improvement over her previous personal
best.
In the accompanying Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Half Marathon (13.1
miles) event Bolota Asmerom (41, San Leandro, Calif.) grabbed the men's
victory in 1:07:09. Asmerom is a veteran track and road runner with a
sparkling career who owns a 13:15.16 5,000-meter personal best on the
track. Collin Jarvis (28, Oakland, Calif.) placed a very close second in
1:07.16. Jarvis is coached by Asmerom and the pair train together. It was
no coincidence that Asmerom and Jarvis ran the entire NVM Half Marathon as
a supportive pair.
"We ran together for most of the way," Asmerom said. "Then I broke off.
Then he caught me and gained a big lead. Then I slowly pulled him back in
and took the lead. It was all I could do to hold him off for the last two
miles."
Asmerom said the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials race (held the day before
NVM) provided him with inspiration to perform well at Napa. Asmerom's
friend and former training partner, Abdi Abdirahman, placed third and made
his fifth Olympic team at the Trials. Asmerom related. "I said 'if he can
do it then I can do it.'"
"It was great to run with my coach," runner-up Jarvis commented about his
NVM Half Marathon race with Asmerom, "He's a good friend of mine and he was
at my wedding last year. He was an Olympian (representing Eritrea) back in
2000. We train together and he's a great coach. I never want to lose. I'm
not happy about losing, but if I'm going to lose he's not a bad guy to lose
to."
Jessica Smith (39, Oakland, Calif.) was the women's half marathon winner in
Napa, registering a winning mark of 1:17:34. It was a personal best for
Smith.
The overall male and female winners of the NVM full and half-marathons
receive an etched double magnum, as well as a Napa Valley Collective case,
which is a 12-bottle selection of the finest wines in the valley. All
proceeds from the Napa Valley Marathon (a non-profit organization) are
donated to local charities in the Napa Valley.
Full race results for the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon are
available on the event's web site at www.napavalleymarathon.org
The Napa Valley Marathon appreciates generous sponsor support from Kaiser
Permanente/Thrive, New Balance, Road Runners Club of America, USA Track &
Field, Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa, Legendary Napa Valley, KPIX CBS5
and KBCW 44 Cable 12, XFINITY, KVYN/99.3 The Vine, KVON 1440 AM, KCBS All
News 106.9 FM and 740 AM, Napa Smith Brewery, Athletic Feat, Raley's, Nob
Hill Foods, Nuun Hydration, Nakedwines.com, my EP Events, Clif Family
Winery, Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, Kicking Horse Coffee, The Bibrave 100,
Brave Like Gabe, and Conn Creek Winery.
For more information about the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon,
please visit the marathon's web site at www.napavalleymarathon.org
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