Ndungu and Pozdnyakova 3peat at Houston Marathon
Jerry Smith - Running USA Wire
16 January 2000 - Houston--Stephen Ndungu from Kenya and Tatiana Pozdnyakova from the Ukraine claimed their third victories in Sunday’s 28th Methodist Health Care Houston Marathon. They left unclaimed the $50,000 bonus prize purse offered to anyone breaking the course records of 2:10:04 by Richard Kaitany in 1989 and 2:27:51 set by Ingrid Kristiansen in 1984. Ndungu and Pozdnyakova did lay claim to the $25,000 for their overall victories.
The 32-year old Ndungu ran 2:11:28 to claim his third consecutive Houston victory finishing 21/2 minutes up on fellow Kenyan Sammy Maritim (2:13:57). Gemechu Kebede from Ethopia was just behind Maritim in 2:14:00.
The 44-year-old Pozdnyakova, the top female masters road runner in the world, hit the tape in 2:32:25 to claim her third Houston title having won previously in ‘95 and ‘98. She was also first across the line in 1996 but was later disqualified for a failed drug test having tested positive for pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, substances found in over-the-counter cold medications. Adriana Fernandez of Mexico, 1999 New York City Marathon champion, was awarded the victory in 1996 after Pozdnyakova’s disqualification. Zinaida Semenova from Russia was second in 2:33:08 and Violetta Kryza from Poland was third in 2:34:14.
For the fourth consecutive year weather conditions were a major factor in the race. Conditions at the start had temperatures in the low 60’s and humidity in the 70 percent range with a bright, cloudless sky. Temperatures and the humidity climbed as the race wore on taking its toll on the participants. The past three years have found conditions very warm and muggy while four years ago participants had to deal with 30 degree temperatures and a freezing rain.
Designated pace-setters Godfrey Kiprotich and Joseph Kahugu led the men’s pack through the early miles in an attempt to help Ndungu and others have a shot at the course record and the associated bonus payout. The pace-setters had a difficult time holding an even pace with miles varying from 4:53 to 5:03. The halfway point was reached in 1:05:18, just 16 seconds over race record pace.
"The pace-setters would speed up, and then somebody would tell them to slow down," Ndungu said. "There was confusion. We had to tell them to push up the speed. I wanted a fast pace and wanted to be behind the two pace-makers only."
Ndungu finally took the lead from Kiprotich at 19 miles and ran unchallenged to the finish.
Nicole Carroll from Australia, the Cal International Marathon winner this past December, led the women’s race early, and by a large margin, covering the first seven miles at a 5:44 pace, seemingly giving little credence to the weather conditions. Carroll dropped out one mile later with a lead pack of ten women then taking over. By 16 miles the pack was down to three, Semenova, Kryza and Jacqueline Jerotich with Pozdnyakova lurking some distance back but still within striking range. The experienced Pozdnyakova gradually began to pick up the pace and by 23 miles she confidently passed Semenova, cruising to a final margin of victory of 43 seconds.
"I ran faster and faster every mile," said the winner, who trailed the leaders at one point by over 300 meters. "It was very hot. I tried to make the course record, but after only 5K I understand I can’t because it is very humid, very hot."
The top masters were Petr Klimes of the Czech Republic in 2:22:10 and Janice McCaffery from Canada in 2:52:56; each picked up $3000. Seniors winners, age 50 and over, were Houston’s Roger Boak in 2:59:10 and Judy Cole from San Antonio in 3:46:15.
Several American women started the race in a last chance effort to qualify for the upcoming U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials scheduled for February 26 in Columbia, South Carolina. The warm and muggy conditions gave little hope that there would be any additional marathon qualifiers. Seana Larson from Jackson, Mich. finished as the top American women in 12th place overall in a time of 2:53:35. Joey Keillor from Mankato, Minn. was the top U.S. male in 2:23:50 (13th place), while 41-year-old Steve Wilson from Lafayette, Ind. was the second American male (15th overall) and third master overall in 2:25:32.
In the country’s 12th largest marathon, there were over 6,700 entrants with 4,699 finishing within the 5 hours and 30 minute cutoff time. Among the finishers was 1996 Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Kerri Strug who finished her second consecutive Houston Marathon in 4:41:15.
Complete results are available at http://www.signmeupsports.com/results/2000/hm.asp
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