News31 Aug 2008


Kwambai and Masai win Rock ‘n' Roll Half Marathon

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Edith Masai on her way to winning the 2008 Rock ‘n' Roll Half Marathon (© Victah Sailer)

Kenyans James Kwambai and Edith Masai won the 8th Annual Rock ‘n' Roll Half Marathon today (31).

Kwambai, who also won the race in 2006, finished in 1:02:11, 22 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Tadesse Tola, who clocked in at 1:02:33. Kenyans McDonald Ondara (1:04:45) and Samuel Ndereba (1:05:38) were third and fifth, respectively, in the men's division with Kazuyuki Maeda of Japan (1:05:18) taking fourth place.

Tola, winner of last month’s New York City Half Marathon, pushed the pace at the beginning of the race. At the 10km mark the lead pack was reduced to Tola, Kwambai and McDonald.

Nearing mile eight, it was Kwambai’s turn to push the pace, and McDonald fell off the lead pack shortly thereafter. The race was then comprised of a two-man showdown between Kwambai and Tola, until mile 10 when Kwambai charged ahead.

“When Tadesse took off fast I ran hard to close the gap,” said Kwambai, who is preparing for the Berlin Marathon. “The weather made the race more difficult, but I am happy with the way it turned out.”

A tactical race ensued on the women’s side. Edith Masai of Kenya came from behind to win the women's division in 1:12:54, just seconds ahead of American Katie McGregor (1:13.04). Megumi Seike of Japan was third in 1:13:05 followed by Ethiopians Adanech Zekiros (2:35:43) and Tayba Naser (2:41:09).

Masai, who won the Falmouth Road Race in Massachusetts earlier in August, trailed McGregor for most of the race.

“The course was great and the pace was relatively even, and nobody really went out very fast,” said McGregor. “I’m preparing to run the New York Marathon in November, so this gave me a good idea of where I am with my training.”

Dan Cruz – Elite Racing – for the IAAF

Results

Men
1. James Kwambai, 25, Kenya, 1:02:11
2. Tadesse Tola, 21, Ethiopia, 1:02:33
3. McDonald Ondara, 23, Kenya, 1:04:45
4. Kazuyuki Maeda, 28, Japan, 1:05:18
5. Samuel Ndereba, 23, Kenya, 1:05:38

Women
1. Edith Masai, 41, Kenya, 1:12:54
2. Katie McGregor, 31, USA, 1:13:04
3. Megumi Seike, 21, Japan, 1:13:05
4. Adanech Zekiros, 26, Ethiopia, 1:13:32
5. Teyba Naser, 22, Ethiopia, 1:13:38

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