FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kipkoech Ruto Wins Anthem Richmond Marathon;
Aziza Aliyu Claims Female Title
Mengstu Nebsi Sets New American Family Fitness Half Marathon Course Record;
Hirut Beyene Claims Women's Half Marathon Title
Record-size field of 18,702 highlights 35th running of event
RICHMOND, VA – With a time of 2:15:14, Kenya's Kipkoech Ruto, 23, won the
2012 Anthem Richmond Marathon, taking home $3,000 in prize money - $2,500
for the first place finish and an additional bonus of $500 for finishing
under two hours and twenty minutes. Aziza Aliyu, a 27-year-old Ethiopian,
was the first female to cross the finish line, clocking in at 2:40:21.
In the fifth year of the American Family Fitness Half Marathon, a new
course record was set in the men's division. Thirty-five-year-old Mengstu
Nebsi of Ethiopia crossed the finish line with a time of 1:03:21, besting
the previous course record set by George Towett in 2010 by 23 seconds.
In the HCA Virginia 8k, Raleigh, NC's Ryan Hill (22:37) inched past Jacob
Riley of Rochester Hills, Michigan (22:38). On the female side, 22-year-old
Neely Spence captured first place with a time of 25:22, setting a new
course record for the 8k.
A record 18,702 participants hit the streets of Richmond this morning,
taking part in this weekend's events. The 26.2-mile Anthem Richmond
Marathon drew 6,003 runners , a new registration record. One reason for the
surge in numbers was the addition of more than 800 runners that opted to
run the Richmond Marathon after the New York City Marathon was cancelled.
The American Family Fitness Half Marathon had a sold out field of 8,215 and
the HCA Virginia 8k had 4,484 participants.
"It was awesome," said Shannon Miller, a 34-year-old from Washington, D.C.
who was the fifth female to cross the finish line in the HCA Virginia 8k.
"I give it two thumbs up!" Miller was scheduled to run the ING New York
City Marathon and decided to come to Richmond when the event in New York
was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
In addition to a record-breaking number of participants, tens of thousands
of spectators lined the streets leading to the spectacular new riverfront
finish. There were 28 bands and musical performers lining the courses as
well as nine official cheering stations and four Party Zones.
The top three local runners, male and female, were also awarded prize money
in the 2nd annual Richmond Region Marathon Championship. This year Jon Molz
was the first male Richmonder to cross the finish line with a time of
2:24:43 and Meredith Axisa was the first female (2:57.38).
The first-ever Call Federal Credit Union Marathon Junior, a kids only
running event tied to the Anthem Richmond Marathon, was held on October 27.
A total of 864 children ages 4-14 participated in the event at Byrd Park.
The 2013 Anthem Richmond Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 16. A
special $65 marathon entry fee and $55 half marathon entry fee is available
through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 15. For more information and full
results, please visit www.richmondmarathon.org.
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