Photo finishes in men's half-marathon and women's 5K; more than 10,000 participate in Hartford fall tradition
From Peter Thomsen
HARTFORD, Conn. - (October 11, 2008) - The ING Hartford Marathon stepped off its 15th edition with more than 10,000 participants in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K races. New title sponsor ING, an aggressive greening initiative and a spotlight on regional talent through a "New England's Finest" Elite Program were race day highlights.
Patrick Moulton of Providence, RI, won the ING Hartford Marathon in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 49 seconds. Moulton, 26, was recognized as one of New England's Finest and invited to participate in the Marathon's elite program. In the women's race, Serkalem Abrha of Ethiopia took first place in 2:38:37.
With a photo finish in the 13.1 mile men's half-marathon, Derese Deniboba of Ethiopia took first place with his 1:04:20, while just a nick behind in 1:04:21 were countryman Tesfaye Girma and Kenyan Elijah Kitur.
In the women's half-marathon, Alemteshay Misganaw, also of Ethiopia, was race champion in 1:17:31. Heidi Westerlingof Acworth, NH, was runner-up (1:18:25) and Caroline Bjune of Andover, MA, came in third (1:21:00).
In the men's 5K race, Southbury, CT, runner John Critelli won in 15:33. Coming in second with a 15:43 was Job Christiansen of New Ipswich, NH and third was Michael Shail of Watertown, CT, 15:46.
In another photo finish, the winner of the women's 5K was 15-year-old Jacy Christiansen of New Ipswich, NH, with a time of 18:19. Following immediately was Elizabeth Crowley from West Simsbury, CT, also at 18:19. Adelle Zocher of Guilford, CT was third (19:19).
15th ING Hartford Marathon
Hartford, CT, Saturday, October 11, 2008
MEN
1) Patrick Moulton (USA / RI), 2:21:49, $6000
2) Jonas Budd (SWE), 2:22:03, $2000
3) Michael Hall (USA / CT), 2:32:24, $2500
4) Glen Guillemette, 48, USA / RI, 2:33:19, $2500
5) Dave Vona (USA / NY), 2:35:03, $500
WOMEN
1) Serkalem Abrha (ETH), 2:38:37, $3000
2) Sheri Piers (USA / ME), 2:47:03, $5000
3) Shannon McHale (USA / CT), 2:47:03, 2500
4) Diona Fulton (USA / MA), 2:48:16, $1500
5) Mary-Lynn Currier, 44, USA / CT, 2:52:53, $2000
6) Simonetta Piergentili, 44, US? / MA, 2:53:38, $1000
Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Derese Deniboba (ETH), 1:04:20, $1000
2) Tesfaye Girma (ETH), 1:04:21, $750
3) Elijah Kitur (KEN), 1:04:21, $500
WOMEN
1) Alemteshay Misganaw (ETH), 1:17:31, $1000
2) Heidi Westerling (USA / NH), 1:18:25, $1750
3) Caroline Bjune (USA / MA), 1:21:00, $1000
Deeper results at: HartfordMarathon.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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