FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ohio Dominance Continues at the
Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
(COLUMBUS, OH) – Ohioans won both the men and women's divisions in the 2011
Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon, and the event became Ohio's largest
26.2 mile footrace this year.
The 32-year-od Marathon had 4,729 finishers, pushing it past other Ohio
marathons including The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and the Rite Aid
Cleveland Marathon for total number of finishers in 2011.
Additionally the ½ Marathon had 9,887 finishers, the highest number in the
six years it has been a part of the race weekend.
A total of 17,000 people registered for both events this year, up from
15,000 in 2010. The combined events have sold out for five straight years.
Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon Race
Matt Folk of Perrysburg won the event in 2:19:47 – narrowly missing
qualifying for the 2012 USATF Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying standard
of 2:19:00. This was Folk's second win in Columbus. The win marked the
fifth year in a row an Ohioan won the Nationwide Insurance Columbus
Marathon.
In his debut marathon, 23-year-old Paul Robinson of Flagstaff, AZ led most
of the way before succumbing to Folk at mile 23 and posted a time of
2:20:30. Peter Kemboi of Kenya, placed third in 2:21:12.
In the women's marathon race, Ann Alyanak of Bellbrook, OH came out on top
in a time of 2:41:53. Angie Turner of Columbia, MO placed second and
qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2:45:01. Alyanak had qualified
for the Trials at a previous race. Ludmila Stepanova of Russia placed third
in 2:46:26.
Prize money awarded for the full Marathon was $3,000 for first place;
$1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place in both the men's and
women's races.
Nationwide Insurance 1/2 Marathon Race
Jason Ordway snuck in to win the 2011 Nationwide Insurance Columbus 1/2
Marathon when the leader Abdelaziz Atmani of Morocco failed to make the
turn to the finish line. Ordway won in a time of 1:05:11. Atmani quickly
got back on course and placed 2ne in 1:06:19. Ryan Kienzle of Canton placed
third in 1:06:37.
An event record was set in the female 1/2 Marathon by Mariska Kramer of the
Netherlands in a time of 1:13:52. Twins Kara and Tara Storage placed second
(1:16:14) and third (1:17:44), respectively.
Prize money awarded for the 1/2 Marathon was $1,500 for first place; $1,000
for second place and $750 for third place in both the men's and women's
races.
Wheelchair Race
Chad Johnson of Charlestown, IN had a repeat win in the marathon wheelchair
division in a time of 1:47:14. Jeff Fisher of Medina placed second in 2:29:
The sold-out, record registered field of 17,000 marathon and ½ marathon
runners and walkers enjoyed the support of tens of thousands of spectators
and more than 100 live bands and other entertainment along the course which
includes parts of Columbus, Bexley, German Village, Short North, OSU
campus, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and Victorian Village.
The 32nd annual Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will
take place Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. For more information on today's race and
full race results, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
TOP FINISHERS
Marathon Male
Matt Folk, Perrysburg, OH 2:19:47
Paul Robinson, Flagstaff, AZ 2:20:30
Peter Kemboi, Kenya 2:21:12
Marathon Female
Ann Alyanak, Bellbrook, OH 2:41:53
Angie Turner, Columbia MO 2:45:01
Ludmila Stepanova, Russia 2:46:26
½ Marathon Male
Jason Ordway, Bellbrook, OH 1:05:11
Abdelaziz Atmani, Morocco 1:06:19
Ryan Kienzle, Canton, OH 1:06:37
½ Marathon Female
Mariska Kramer, Netherlands 1:13:52*
Kara Storage, Beavercreek 1:16:14
Tara Storage, Beavercreek 1:17:44
Marathon – Wheelchair Male
Chad Johnson, Charlestown, IN 1:47:14
Jeff Fisher, Medina, OH 1:56:34
Charles Gornall, Lorain, OH 2:29:24
*Event record
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