Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Salt Lake City (April 21, 2007) - Nearly 7,000 people took part in today's timed races at the Salt Lake City Marathon, half marathon and 5K. These events anchored a festive atmosphere that reigned over Salt Lake City this weekend, which included the Quality of Life Expo, Bike Tour, Select Health Kids Marathon, 5K, Fazoli's Pasta Party, and concert by the Young Dubliners. The weather was perfect for running, with plenty of sunshine and cool temperatures in the low 50s. Approximately 10,000 men, women and children participated in various categories.
Nelson Lebo of Nairobi, Kenya and Maria Portilla of Albuquerque, New Mexico were the first male and female to cross the finish line, with times of 2:21:17 and 2:40:46, respectively. While Utahns Hobie Call of Laverkin, Utah and Luzana Tomas of Salt Lake City were the first Utahns to finish with times of 2:23:06 and 2:52:19 respectively. Mbarak Hussein and Simon Sawe finished first and second in the half marathon with times of 1:03:17 and 1:05:33.
"U.S. athletes Simon Sawe and Mbarak Hussein are two of the hottest national runners who competed in today's race," says Larry Barthlow, Devine Racing's elite athlete coordinator. "They didn't set a new record today, but they ran well and enjoyed Utah's beautiful capitol."
Jogglers Michal Kapral and Zach Warren faced off today in Utah's capitol city. Kapral, of Toronto, finished tenth overall in 2:53:28, beating out friend and rival Warren from Boston, who finished in 2:57:02. The two jogglers, who juggle while jogging, competed for a world record by running the 26.2 mile marathon while juggling three beanbags every step of the way. Warren remains the current world record holder "for the fastest marathon while juggling three objects," by completing the 2006 Philadelphia Marathon in a blistering two hours, 52 minutes and 15 seconds.
Elite runners originally from Kenya, Morocco and Bolivia competed in this year's marathon. Equally important was the participation of Salt Lake City athletes Alexander Paschev, Hobie Call, Zuzana Sarikova, Aimee Larkin, Julie Thomas, Danielle Winegar, and Joyce Carre.
The Bike Tour, which followed the marathon course, was a popular event this year with about 2,000 participants. The Bike Tour offered cyclists a non-stop morning spin through the most scenic and spectacular parts of the Salt Lake Valley.
Children and their families enjoyed the SelectHealth Kids' Marathon 1K, which puts Utah kids on the road to a healthy lifestyle. The program featured a 26- unit course of activities related to fitness, nutrition, and good deeds.
"I want to thank the runners, our great team and all of the volunteers who worked so hard to make this race a great community event," says Scott Kerr, Salt Lake City Marathon race director.
"The 2007 Salt Lake City Marathon brought the community together to celebrate athletics, enjoy great food and music and most importantly raise funds for a good cause," says Chris Devine, owner of Devine Racing and the Salt Lake City Marathon.
Runners and walkers joined Salt Lake City Mayor, Rocky Anderson who kicked off the 5K, many of whom were running to raise money for the fight against cancer. The Huntsman Cancer Foundation's Hometown Hero's program earned $214,000 with teams participating in various events. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from today's event will benefit the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The amount of the donation will be made public about two months before the 2008 marathon.
"After my cancer diagnosis, my husband and his co-workers at Verizon Business wanted to get active in the fight against cancer," says Lisa Harrison, Salt Lake City resident who was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Thanksgiving. "They formed a team and are running to raise money for Huntsman Cancer Institute where I receive my treatments. Their efforts inspired me to run the 5K with them. It's nice to know that I am not battling this disease alone."
Complete results will be available at the following websites, and will be updated regularly: Marathon - http://results.racecenter.com/2007/slcm07.htm Half marathon - http://results.racecenter.com/2007/slchm07.htm 5K - http://results.racecenter.com/2007/slc5k07.htm
Men's Marathon Top Ten: 1. Nelson Lebo, Nairobi, Kenya, age 29, time 2:21:17 2. Hobie Call, Laverkin, UT, age 30, time 2:23:06 3. Ezekiel Ruto, Las Cruces, NM, age 32, time 2:26:22 4. Nicholas McCombes, Toquerville, UT, age 26, time 2:30:10 5. Steven Ashbaker, Salt Lake City, UT, age 36, time 2:36:31 6. David Danley, Roosevelt, UT, age 26, time 2:39:12 7. Stephen Tanui, Las Cruces, NM, age 25, time 2:40:48 8. Bill Cobler, Salt Lake City, UT, age 43, time 2:52:11 9. Chase Bennion, Las Vegas, MV, age 18, time 2:52:24 10. Michal Kapral, Toronto, Canada, age 34, time 2:53:28
Women's Marathon Top Ten: 1. Maria Portilla, Albuquerque, NM, age 35, time 2:40:47 2. Luzana Tomas, Salt Lake City, UT, age 30, time 2:52:19 3. Julie Thomas, Holladay, UT, age 34, time 2:56:16 4. Joyce Carre, Salt Lake City, UT, age 25, time 2:56:46 5. Rebecca Sondag, Casper, WY, age 37, time 3:08:18 6. Valerie Gearheart, Draper, UT, age 34, time 3:11:50 7. Camille Caten, Sandy, UT, age 33, time 3:19:37 8. Emily Roberts, Sandy, UT, age 33, time 3:20:31 9. Rachel Best, Memphis TN, age 33, time 3:20:58 10. Jeanine Searle, Spanish Fork, UT, age 26, time 3:21:26
Men's Half Marathon Top Ten: 1. Mbarak Hussein, Albuquerque, NM, age 42, time 1:05:17 2. Simon Sawe, Santa Fe, NM, age 33, time 1:05:33 3. BJ Christenson, North Salt Lake, UT, age 28, time 1:10:59 4. Alexander Pachev, Provo, UT, age 34, time 1:13:25 5. Augustus Gray, Salt Lake City, UT, age 21, time 1:13:57 6. Grant Rotunda, Salt Lake City, UT, age 20, time 1:14:11 7. Walter Brown, South Jordan, UT, age 36, time 1:15:53 8. Albert Wint, Salt Lake City, UT, age 27, time 1:16:28 9. Chad Derum, Salt Lake City, UT, age 34, time 1:16:36 10. Cortino Garcia, Evergreen, CO, age 32, time 1:17:15
Women's Half Marathon Top Ten: 1. Aimee Larkin, Salt Lake City, UT, age 30, time 1:22:28 2. Jasmine Sessions, Farmington, UT, age 26, time 1:24:09 3. Jessica Green, Riverton, UT, age 24, time 1:26:13 4. Carol Cabanillas, Salt Lake City, UT, age 26, time 1:27:36 5. Jessica Forsyth, Provo, UT, age 22, time 1:30:27 6. Natalie Michels, Draper, UT, age 21, time 1:31:55 7. Jennifer Cherland, Salt Lake City, UT, age 33, time 1:32:41 8. Melanie Baker, Syracuse, UT, age 45, time 1:33:00 9. Ramona Sanchez, Sparks, NV, 29, time 1:33:21 10. Jessica Tidswell, Sandy, UT, age 31, time 1:34:17
2007 PRIZE PURSE Male Marathon Female Marathon 1st $5,000 1st $5,000 2nd $2,500 2nd $2,500 3rd $1,500 3rd $1,500 4th $500 4th $500 5th $500 5th $500
Male Masters Female Masters 1st $500 1st $500
Male Wheelchair Female Wheelchair 1st $500 1st $500
Male Handcycle Female Handcycle 1st $500 1st $500 ______________ ________________ Total $11,500 Total $11,500
