FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: (801) 244-1892
RECORD NUMBER PARTICIPATE IN 3ND ANNUAL SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON WEEKEND
More than 11,000 Participants Combined;
New Half Marathon Course Record Set
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."
Sponsors for the Salt Lake City Marathon include The Salt Lake Tribune,
Wells Fargo, Wild Oats, Nordic Track, Intermountain Medical Group, Utah
Sports Commission, OptiMSM, Cream O' Weber, Clif Bar, Gatorade, Fazoli's,
Garmin, Michelob, Park City IceWater Company, ClearOne, Walgreens, The
Gateway, Hilton, The University Guest House, USA Track and Field, UTA TRAX,
Murray City, South Salt Lake City, Holladay City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake
County, Salt Lake Running Company, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Marriott,
Radio Disney, KUTV 2, Millcreek Broadcasting and Simmons Media Group. Race
owner Devine also operates The Los Angeles Marathon, The "New" Las Vegas
Marathon, and The Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon.
About Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new
marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was
among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide
in their January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big
Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports
Magazine both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude." For race
information visit www.saltlakecitymarathon.com or call (801) 412-6060.
About Devine
Devine is a brand name synonymous with excellence in endurance sports,
education and training. The Chicago-based company has fast been building a
national reputation for acquiring and managing world-class athletic events.
The Devine portfolio currently includes the Los Angeles Marathon, the 'New'
Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon and the Banco Popular
Chicago Half Marathon.
Established in 2003 to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to
road racing events in major market cities, the President/CEO is Steve
Miller, former Nike Director of Global Sports Marketing.
The focus at Devine is to create community for runners and endurance
athletes. Committed to the celebration on individual accomplishment, Devine
believes it has the responsibility to deliver the highest level of
professional service in the industry – for participants, sponsors and the
communities where races are held.
Information about all Devine properties, as well as access to unparalleled
industry information, can be obtained at www.devinesports.com or by calling
(312) 640-9700.
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