McDonald Ondara wins 2007 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (© c)
San Jose, USAKenyans McDonald Ondara and Magdalene Makunzi won the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon San Jose on Sunday (14). Ondara, 23, covered the 13.1-mile course in 1:01:11. Makunzi, 24, broke the tape in 1:09:58 for the women’s race win.
MEN
The men’s race culminated in a sprint to the finish as Ondara, who led the majority of the race, beat the 27-year-old Tanzanian John Yuda by just seconds.
“I was sort of afraid of him,” said Ondara of his closest competitor Yuda. “It was very hard to predict,” Ondara added about planning his final kick.
Yuda managed a smile as he clutched his ribs after the finish from an apparent side stitch. “It was a good race,” Yuda said. “The course was quick.”
After mile three, the men’s lead pack began to thin out, gradually dropping American Khalid Khannouchi. The four-time Chicago Marathon champion was clearly frustrated with his 1:05:04 finish time. “It was a great day for the race,” Khannouchi said. “But, this is not what I expected. I thought I would run 1:03:00.”
WOMEN
Makunzi dominated the women’s race, finishing more than a minute faster than second place Megumi Oshima from Japan.
“After five kilometres I pushed,” said Makunzi. “I looked behind and they had dropped back. I was thinking of a time of 68:00, but I am happy with today.” Makunzi’s finishing time was a personal best by seven seconds.
Ian Monahan for the IAAF
2007 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Results
Men
1. McDonald Ondara, 23, Kenya, 1:01:11
2. John Yuda, 27, Tanzania, 1:01:13
3. Hillary Kipchumba, 22, Kenya, 1:01:32
4. Tom Nyariki, 36, Kenya, 1:02:17
5. Charles Munyeki, 19, Kenya, 1:02:58
6. Scott Bauhs, 21, Danville, CA, 1:03:04
7. Daniel Kipkoech, 28, Kenya, 1:03:15
8. Boaz Cheboiywo, 29, Kenya, 1:03:41
Women
1. Magdalene Makunzi, 24, Kenya, 1:09:58
2. Megumi Oshima, 31, Japan, 1:11:14
3. Everlyne Lagat, 26, Kenya, 1:11:35
4. Rose Kosgei, 26, Kenya, 1:12:42
5. Caroline Cheptanui, 23, Kenya, 1:12:49
6. Maria Elena Valencia, 24, Kenya, 1:13:26
7. Melissa White, 26, USA, 1:13:41
8. Anne Jelegat, 38, Kenya, 1:13:44
