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Salt Lake City, Utah (June 3, 2006) - Under a clear blue sky and a backdrop of shining snow-capped mountains, a world-class international field led a record number of runners Saturday at the third annual Salt Lake City Marathon. The inaugural Salt Lake City Marathon Half Marathon got off to a blistering start, with Utah resident Dennis Simonaitis setting the course record at 1:10:41.
Nearly 2,500 runners participated in the 26.2-mile race that wound through Utah's capital, with Kenyan Joseph Nguran finishing first with a time of 2:16:41. Fellow Kenyan Phillip Taurus finished second at 2:17:58, and Ethiopian Demissu Ashebir took third place at 2:18:23. Utah resident Hobie Call took fourth place overall and was the first American finisher with a time of 2:24:06.
In the popular new half marathon, winner Dennis Simonaitis, 43, of Draper, Utah, led almost 3,000 runners taking part in the popular new Half Marathon. Another 3,000 runners competed in the 5K race, and nearly 2,000 cyclists participated in the 2nd annual Bike Tour. Rounding out a full day of events, nearly 600 kids aged 5-12 ran in the Intermountain Kids Marathon, racing to the marathon finish line at The Gateway Plaza.
With the rising sun cresting the Wasatch Range at 6:45 a.m. from under the Olympic Legacy Bridge, professional runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine and the United States competed in the highly competitive marathon. Vying for a purse of more than $75,000, which included $12,000 prizes for the top male and female runners, the top male runners came just shy of eclipsing the course record set by Ethiopia's Araya Haregot (2:15:14) in 2005. The women's course record was set in 2005 by Poland's Dorta Gruca at 2:30:07.
In the marathon, it would take 31 year old Joseph Nguran nearly half the Salt Lake City Marathon to get to the front, but once he did there was no stopping him. Nguran took the lead just past the 13-mile mark and stretched it over the remainder of the course, finishing in 2:16:41. Though it was slightly off the course record (2:15:14, set last year by Araya Haregot), Nguran was cheered loudly as he sprinted to a crowded Gateway finish more than a minute ahead of the next male runner. "I'm so very happy," he said.
The win was Nguran's second in as many races. He was also a winner in Barcelona, barely three months ago. His top time there — 2:12:36 — was also a career best.
For the women, Ukraine's Ilona Baranova surprised the two favorites, Ethiopian Worknesh Tola and Becky Sondag, to take first. The 34-year old waited 22 miles to make her move. She did it just before Liberty Park, the start of the 5K race earlier in the day, leaving Tola far behind by the time she crossed the finish line, in 2:38:04. "It was a good marathon," Baranova said.
Saturday's race was the first in June in the marathon's three-year history. Runners started extra-early — at 6:40 a.m. — to beat the heat. A pack of seven runners stuck together throughout the first 13 miles, drafting off each other and taking an easy pace. They crossed the half-marathon marker in 1:09 flat. But that was Nguran's strategy all along, he later said. Because the first half of the Salt Lake race is downhill, he was cautious to save his legs for later. "I really pushed hard the last half of the race," Nguran said.
Just after the halfway point he turned on the gas, picking up his pace and forcing the rest of the group to drop back. The first victims of Nguran's acceleration were a pair of Utah runners — Hobie Call and Teren Jameson, and then countrymen Daniel Cheruiyot and Jonathan Ndambuki. At mile 18, Philip Taurus dropped back, no longer able to maintain the sub-5 minute mile pace Nguran had struck at the halfway point. A mile later, Ethiopia's Demissu Ashebir faded. Nguran was all alone as he entered Liberty Park and made his way past hundreds of half-marathoners, who cheered him as he sailed by them. The top male local finisher on the men's side was Call, who lives in Laverkin and who finished in 2:24:06. For the women, it was Carol Cabanillas of Salt Lake City. She finished in 2:57:25. The new Half Marathon started along side the full Marathon at 6:45 a.m. The course followed the full marathon course until it broke away at Sugarhouse Park and met back up with the full course just before Liberty Park and ended at the Gateway. Winner Simonaitis was closely followed by fellow Utahans Joe Wilson and Neal Gassman who finished just over 1:11:00.
The road races anchored a festive atmosphere that reigned over Salt Lake City during the entire weekend. Athletes and fans alike were treated to events including the Quality of Life EXPO and the Fazoli's Pasta Party. The weekend ended with the Post-Race Concert and Awards Ceremony at the Gallivan Center on Saturday evening, featuring the Tommy Castro Band. The party entertained Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike Tour and 5K participants, all of whom had received a free ticket to the concert. The 5K race got underway at 7:20 a.m. with the course following the last section of the Marathon and Half Marathon route, ending at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City. Corbin Talley, 29, of Layton, Utah, ran at a 5:12 per mile pace and won with a time of 16:08. Salt Lake City residents Steve Ashbaker, 35, and Josh Steffen, 25, were just seconds behind and finished in second and third place, respectively. The women's 5K was won by Chelsea McKell, 21, of Spanish Fork, Utah. She was followed by 34 year-old Carol Rowe and 24 year-old Carre Joyce in second and third place respectively. The 2nd annual Salt Lake City Bike Tour was even more popular this year with almost 2,000 participants. With a 6:00 a.m. start, the ride offered cyclists the unique opportunity to take a leisurely morning ride through the most scenic and spectacular parts of the closed marathon course. Also in its second year was the Intermountain Kids Marathon and Fitness Program, which starts Utah's kids on the road to a healthy lifestyle. The program featured a 26-unit course of activities related to fitness, nutrition, and good deeds.
The week's events culminated Saturday evening with a Awards Ceremony and Post Race Concert, where the third annual Human Spirit Award was presented to Linda Wiggins for her generosity and courage. Although currently undergoing chemotherapy for the fifth time, she still found the strength to participate in the 5K and raise funds for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. As a member of Hometown Heroes, Wiggins personally matches all donations she and her husband receive.
Devine, proud owner of The Salt Lake City Marathon, was thrilled with the day's results.
"The support of the people of Salt Lake and Mayor Rocky Anderson have made this weekend a resounding success," said Devine Chairman Chris Devine. "We sincerely thank the race volunteers, fans, sponsors and of course the participants--from the professionals to the everyday athletes--who gave their tremendous commitment and support. We are extremely proud that only three years from its inception, the Salt Lake City Marathon has become a must-do destination racing event."
"I want to thank everyone who participated in the events today. We had a tremendous turnout and everyone put forth an amazing effort," stated Scott Kerr, Vice President." I also want to thank all the volunteers who took care of the participants and helped make the 2006 Salt Lake City Marathon a success. I believe we are creating one of the greatest marathons in the country."
2006 MARATHON RESULTS
NAME CITY & STATE RACE # SEX AGE TIME PACE
1. Joseph Nguran Eldoret, Kenya 5 M 31 2:16:41 5:13
2. Phillip Taurus Eldoret, Kenya 2 M 33 2:17:58 5:16
3. Demissu Ashebir Addis Abeba, Ethiopia 3 M 29 2:18:23 5:17
4. Hobie Call Laverkin, Utah 2244 M 29 2:24:06 5:30
5. Johnathan Ndambuki Eldoret, Kenya 4 M 29 2:25:07 5:32
6. Daniel Cheruiyot Albuquerque, NM 7 M 32 2:25:49 5:34
7. Teren Jameson Salt Lake City,Utah 19 M 28 2:29:01 5:41
8. Nicholas McCombs Toquerville, UT 23 M 25 2:30:31 5:44
9. Abebe Yimer Las Vegas, NV 6 M 25 2:35:22 5:56
10. Eric Albrecht Sunnyvale, CA 22 M 43 2:43:29 6:14
11. Christopher Rogers Bountiful, UT 466 M 28 2:44:09 6:16
12. Solomon Ssenyange Riverton, UT 1527 M 29 2:46:54 6:22
13. Jed Burton Salt Lake City, Utah 2048 M 31 2:48:40 6:26
14. Campbell Ilfrey Boulder, CO 2181 M 32 2:53:12 6:36
15. Thomas Franks West Jordan, UT 718 M 42 2:54:08 6:38
16. Steven Michalski Sandy, UT 1702 M 36 2:55:07 6:41
17. Bill Cobler Salt Lake City, UT 21 M 42 2:55:13 6:41
18. Junior Roberts Seattle, WA 625 M 29 2:55:41 6:42
19. Fernando Gonzalez DeMacoris, Dominican Rep.473 M 32 2:57:10 6:45
20. Mike Evans Salt Lake City, 2473 M 32 2:59:38 6:51 NAME CITY & STATE RACE # SEX AGE TIME PACE- Werknesh Tola Addis Abeba Ethi 102 F 25 2:42:00 6:11
- Delillah Asiago Nairobi, KEnya 103 F 34 2:45:50 6:19
- Carol Cabanillas Salt Lake Cty, U 118 F 25 2:57:25 6:46
- Jordan Vaughn Albuquerque, NM 116 F 28 3:08:45 7:12
- Mandy Hosford Salt Lake City, 2494 F 32 3:10:36 7:16
- Tara Lewis Pleasant Grove,UT 2296 F 27 3:10:41 7:16
- Michelle Chille Rochester, NY 117 F 39 3:20:58 7:40
- Danielle Winegar South Jordan, UT 1745 F 24 3:25:07 7:49
- Jevonne McDonald Provo, UT 799 F 26 3:25:19 7:50
- Stephanie McArthur Pleasant Grove, UT 1755 F 36 3:27:09 7:54
- Kristine Gewin Heber City, UT 1306 F 33 3:27:13 7:54
- Jami Caldwell Kaysville, UT 1762 F 24 3:27:21 7:55
- McKenzie Montague Elk Ridge, UT 1025 F 28 3:27:25 7:55
- Heather Johnson American Fork, UT 632 F 28 3:28:35 7:57
- Ashlee Warnick Salt Lake City, 2036 F 22 3:29:12 7:59
- Katharina Seifert San Francisco, CA 1820 F 35 3:30:16 8:01
- Melinda Pugh San Diego, CA 623 F 26 3:31:00 8:03
- Nicki Hugie Taylorsville, UT 2083 F 21 3:31:03 8:03
- Eva Rodansky Kearns, UT 1043 F 28 3:31:51 8:05
