FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW UNITED TECHNOLOGIES HARTFORD MARATHON RECORD IS SET
AT SATURDAY'S WINDY AND WET 12TH RUNNING
HARTFORD (CT.)--October 8, 2005--Blustery rain and wind did not deter
Kenya's Moses Kemboi from setting the course record Saturday morning at the
12th running of the United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon.
The 27 year-old ran the 26.2 mile course in 2:16:34, 17 seconds faster than
the course record set three years ago. Mr. Kemboi said the weather slowed
him at times, but that he came to win and he likes competing in 70 degree
temperatures. About 5,800 runners competed in full marathon, half marathon,
and 5K events. The race attracted the largest elite field in the marathon's
history. The marathon winner collected a $6,000 first prize as well as a
$1,000 bonus paid by engine-maker Pratt & Whitney for setting the new
course record.
Finishing behind Mr. Kemboi were second place finisher Araya Haregot
(2:19:43) of Ethiopia and Abrha Assfa (2:19:55) also of Ethiopia, who ran
third.
Abeba Tola, 29, of the Bronx, NY., narrowly won the women's marathon at
2:47:22, edging out second place Tatiana Titiana of Russia (2:48:22) and
Alevtina Nadumova of Gainesville, FL., (2:48:58).
Marathon Race Director Beth Schluger said the highly competitive races
reflect the increase in the number of elite runners coming to Hartford from
the USA, Europe, South America, Russia and Africa. Runners from all 50
states were entered this year, she said. "An exciting finish makes for a
great time out there, as well as exciting live TV," she said. NBC-TV 30
broadcasts the race each year. Last year over $300,000 was raised for
charity, and that is expected to be exceeded, she said, as over 1,000
runners were raising moneys for area charities again this year.
HALF MARATHON
New Zealand's John Henwood (1:06:44) won the men's 13.1 mile Half Marathon.
Ethiopia's Daniel Zegeye (1:07:19) ran second and New Britain (CT) runner
Eric Blake (1:11:42) third.
Kara -Lynne Kerr (1:22:04) a medical student from Torrington (CT) won the
women's half; Kelli Lusk (1:23:56) ran second while Melissa Perkins-Banas
(1:26:33) of Norwich (CT) finished third.
5 K
Unionville's (CT) David Bridgewater (15:34) won the men's 3.1 mile 5K; Joe
Perez Huerto (5:17) a 19-year-old from Brooklyn (NY) ran second while
Glastonbury's (CT) Tom Geer (5:19) came in third.
Women's 5K results: First place: Zofia Wieciorkowska (5:52) of Stratford
(CT); Second place: Amy Fredericks (6:15) of Stamford (CT); and Third
place: Shebna Olsen (6:22) of White Plains (NY).
The United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon posts complete race
results on its website: www.hartfordmarathon.com.
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