From Runningusa.org by Jenny Schmitt…
Marusin, Vinitskaya, Chirlee and Cherobon Win ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon - Three event records fall; more than 10,700 participants on new course for 2nd edition
ATLANTA - (March 30, 2008) - Three champions in the professional field of the second ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon set event records on Sunday. Oleg Marusin of Russia won the men’s marathon in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 50 seconds, cutting off 27 seconds of the time set last year by Kenyan Joseph Chirlee. Chirlee, who lives in Acworth, Ga., opted not to defend his marathon title and won the men’s half-marathon this year in 1:06:43.
Lawrenceville, Ga. resident Janet Cherobon successfully defended her half-marathon title, winning in 1:13:48. Setting an event record, the Kenyan trimmed 2:45 from her mark in the inaugural half-marathon last year.
“The weather was perfect except the wind. The course was a little hillier than last year, but there were more down hills. I ran a good time so that was good,” she said in chilly, overcast conditions following her race.
The women’s marathon was won by Alena Vinitskaya of Belarus in 2:41:13. She was 12 seconds faster than the time set last year by Valentina Levushkina of Russia, who finished second in the marathon this year, 2:06 behind Vinitskaya.
“I’m impressed that so many runners came out; they came from all over the country,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, referring to participants who came from 48 states and the District of Columbia. “ING does a great job of partnering with the city and the local business community. So we are thrilled about that too. This promotes health and wellness and community engagement in a way that very few races do. So congratulations to ING.”
The men’s marathon winner is a 10,000-meter runner who was competing in just his fourth marathon. Marusin took the lead beyond the 13 mile mark in Decatur and coasted to the record finish. “I was sure of myself that no one would follow to closely. I was comfortable. I am very happy that I won, but I am not completely satisfied with my time. I thought I would do better.”
Vinitskaya was unsure of her ability to run in the ING Georgia Marathon, initially, due to a recent injury to her Achilles tendon. “I was injured in Sacramento, but now I am better,” said Vinitskaya, who ran the race with special inserts in her shoes to alleviate the pain. “It’s a good course for running. The crowds were great; they give you a lift to keep going.”
Race Highlights
* 14,000 Total Entrants
* 10,793 Total Starters and 10,711 Total Finishers
* 2,142 athletes finished the marathon (34% were female)
* 8,569 athletes finished the half-marathon (56% were female)
* Age of youngest participant (half-marathon): 8 years
* Age of oldest participant (half-marathon): 85
* U.S. states represented: 48
* Countries represented: 25
* 700 schoolchildren from 19 Atlanta and Decatur middle schools participated in the Final Mile as part of ING’s Run for Something Better.
2nd ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
Atlanta, GA, Sunday, March 30, 2008
MEN
1) Oleg Marusin (RUS), 2:18:50, $5000
2) Jonathan Ndambuki (KEN), 2:21:22, $3000
3) Kassahun Kabiso (ETH), 2:21:59, $1750
WOMEN
1) Alena Vinitskaya (BLR), 2:41:13, $5000
2) Valentina Levushkina (RUS), 2:43:19, $3000
3) Rima Dubovik (UKR), 2:50:34, $1750
Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Joseph Chirlee (KEN), 1:06:43, $1500
2) Tamrat Ayalew (ETH), 1:07:23, $750
3) Jared Abuya (???), 1:07:35, $250
WOMEN
1) Janet Cherobon (KEN), 1:13:48, $1500
2) Mary Akor (USA / CA), 1:15:13, $750
3) Meseret Kotu (ETH), 1:18:58, $250
Complete results at: INGGeorgiaMarathon.com
