News04 Oct 2010


Keflezighi defends title at San Jose Half Marathon

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Meb Keflezighi on the way to his San Jose Half Marathon title defence (© Victah Sailer)

Reigning ING New York City Marathon champion and U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi successfully defended his title at the 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon on Sunday (3), crossing the finish line in 1:01:45.

Keflezighi, with Mammoth Track Club teammate Patrick Smyth pacing, opened up a lead within the first three miles, hitting the 5K mark at 14:20. He never looked back, keeping a significant lead straight to the finish. As he looks ahead to the ING New York City Marathon on 7 November 7, the 2009 champion of both races says he is hoping for a double repeat performance.

“I felt strong and maintained,” Keflezighi said. “My training is coming along as planned and I hope it goes the same. This is the race I really enjoy though. New York will be all business.”

Teammates Brian Medigovich and Paul Hefferon, representing the Hansons Brooks Distance Project of Rochester Hills, Michigan, came in second and third, running 1:04:55 and 1:05:55, respectively.

Blake Russell, who represented the U.S. in the Marathon at the Beijing Olympics, made a successful return to racing after the birth of her first child, winning the women’s race in 1:11:55.

“It’s so exciting because it’s hard to win a race as an elite and you really learn to cherish it,” she said. “It was a learning experience and definitely mentally tougher than I expected but you keep pushing. The course was great and the music and spectators definitely helped.”

She took the lead early and said she achieved her goal of staying under a 5:30 pace. Coming in behind Russell were 49-year-old Linda Somers Smith (1:13:31) and Rachel Booth (1:14:46).

The sold-out Half Marathon celebrated its 5th anniversary with 13,000 participants, the largest field in the race’s history. Thousands of spectators joined in the fun, cheering enthusiastically along the course. The day was capped off with a post-race concert in Plaza de Cesar Chavez by the platinum selling band Blues Traveler.

Amana Miyamae (organisers) for the IAAF

Leading results -
MEN:
 1. Meb  Keflezighi, Mammoth Lakes, CA      1:01:45
 2. Brian Medigovich, Rochester Hills, MI   1:04:55
 3. Paul Hefferon, Rochester Hills, MI      1:05:55

WOMEN -
 1. Blake Russell, Pacific Grove, CA         1:11:55
 2. Linda Somers-Smith, Arroyo Grande, CA    1:13:31
 3. Rachel Booth, Mountain View, CA          1:14:46

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