From Ron Stanton
HONOLULU - (December 14, 2008) - Kenyans dominated the men's race, while the Japanese prevailed in the women's race at Sunday's 36th Honolulu Marathon.
Patrick Ivuti ran alone the last nine miles to win handily in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 35 seconds. The 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon winner took home $40,000. Countryman Stephen Njoroge Kinyanjui was runner-up, more than three minutes back in 2:17:41. Kenyan men held the top five positions and six of the top ten.
Kiyoko Shimahara of Japan led the women to the finish line in 2:32:36 after taking the lead at the 30-kilometer / 18.6 mile mark. Countrywoman Kaori Yoshida was second in 2:34:35. Japanese won six of the top 10 women's positions.
Defending champions Jimmy Muindi (6-time winner) and Alevtina Biktimirova finished 5th overall in 2:21:43 and 2:45:06, respectively.
Rain, often heavy, began falling shortly after the start of the pre-dawn race, but there was little wind. But ponding on wet roadways slowed the runners. The rain stopped after the professional field finished, allowing age group runners better conditions.
The 23,230 registered runners included Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima, who finished in 6:10:26. Ninety-year-old Glady Birrell of Prospect, Ore. was unsuccessful in her bid to set a world record for women 90-94.
36th Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI, Sunday, December 14, 2008
MEN
1) Patrick Ivuti (KEN), 2:14:35, $40,000
2) Stephen Njoroge Kinyanjui (KEN), 2:17:41, $16,000
3) Pius Muasa Mutuku (KEN), 2:17:51, $10,000
4) Joseph Mutiso Wambua (KEN), 2:19:38, $6000
5) Jimmy Muindi (KEN), 2:21:43, $3000
WOMEN
1) Kiyoko Shimahara (JPN), 2:32:36, $40,000
2) Kaori Yoshida (JPN), 2:34:35, $16,000
3) Alice Timbilili (KEN), 2:37:31, $10,000
4) Olesya Nurgalieva (RUS), 2:39:13, $6000
5) Alevtina Biktimirova (RUS), 2:45:06, $3000
Deeper results and more at: HonoluluMarathon.org.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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