FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sammy Too Wins Anthem Richmond Marathon;
Desta Girma Tadesse Claims Female Title
Bor, Kamunya Set New American Family Fitness Half Marathon Course Records
Record-Size Field of 19,629 Highlights 36th Running of Event
RICHMOND, VA – With a time of 2:15:09, Kenya's Sammy Too, 24, won the 2013
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. Desta Girma Tadesse, a 26-year-old Ethiopian,
was the first female to cross the finish line, clocking in at 2:37:55.
In the sixth year of the American Family Fitness Half Marathon, a new
course record was set in both the men's and women's divisions.
Twenty-eight-year-old Kimutai Cheruiyot of Kenya crossed the finish line
with a time of 1:02:59, besting the previous course record set by Mengstu
Nebsi in 2012 by 22 seconds. On the women's side, Pauline Muchiri of Kenya
set a new course record with a time of 1:12:47. The previous course record
was 1:13:33, set in 2011 by Bekelech Bedada.
Emmanuel Bor, 19, won the HCA Virginia 8k with a time of 22:41. On the
female side, 22-year-old Alice Kamunya captured first place with a time of
24:53, crushing the course record of 25:22 set in 2013 by Neely Spence.
A record 19,629 participants hit the streets of Richmond this morning,
taking part in this weekend's events. The 26.2-mile Anthem Richmond
Marathon drew 6,103 runners, a new registration record. The American Family
Fitness Half Marathon also had a record field with 9,118 participants, and
the HCA Virginia 8k had 4,408 participants.
One reason for the surge in numbers was the National Black Marathoners
Association (NBMA), an organization that serves as a vehicle for Black
Americans to meet en masse at a single marathon, hosted its ninth annual
gathering at the Richmond Marathon. More than 460 runners participated in
the marathon, half marathon or 8k as part of the group.
In addition to a record-breaking number of participants, tens of thousands
of spectators lined the streets leading to the spectacular 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 3nd annual Richmond Region Marathon Championship. Michael Tooley was
the first male Richmonder to cross the finish line with a time of 2:38:57
and Morgan Denecke was the first female (2:54:15).
The second annual Call Federal Credit Union Marathon Junior, a kids only
running event tied to the Anthem Richmond Marathon, was held on October 26.
A total of 853 children ages 4-14 participated in the event at Byrd Park.
Thanks to the generous donations of many of the participants in today's
events, more children will learn healthy habits to last a lifetime. Kids
Run RVA, the charity program of the Anthem Richmond Marathon, has raised
$28,000 to support youth run/walk programs in the region's schools. This
funding will provide schools with the tools necessary to implement run/walk
clubs and establish regular training routines for students. It also allows
us to purchase shoes for children in need and offer free entries into our
youth-oriented events.
The 2014 Anthem Richmond Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 15. A
special $65 marathon entry fee and $55 half marathon entry fee is available
through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 21.
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