Runner's & Triathlete's Web  (RWire) Athletics: Wanjiru, Shobukhova Supreme at Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Olympic champion sets U.S. All-Comers record; Kastor sixth

At the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11, Beijing Olympic Marathon gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya made a triumphant U.S. debut with the victory in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 41 seconds. His time was not only a course record, but also a U.S. All-Comers record, besting Khalid Khannouchi's 2:05:42 from 1999 at this race. For the women, Liliya Shobukhova of Russia also had a solid win in 2:25:56.

At the 32nd edition, under cool, windy conditions and nearly 35,000 following, Wanjiru, 22, who had pacesetters, pulled away from any challengers in the latter stages to win his second major marathon this year (also Flora London). He earned $175,000 ($75,000 for first place and a $100,000 bonus for the course record - one second slower and the time bonus would have been $75,000).

Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco was runner-up in 2:06:04 and Vincent Kipruto of Kenya was third (2:06:08). Top American was Sergio Reyes of Palmdale, Calif. in 8th place (2:15:30, a personal record).

In her second marathon, Shobukhova, 21, beat Irina Mikitenko of Germany and countrywoman and defending race champion Lidiya Grigoryeva who ran 2:26:31 and 2:26:47 respectively. With her earlier wins at London and Berlin, Mikitenko did wrap-up another World Marathon Majors title.

2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and 2005 race champion Deena Kastor of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. finished sixth in 2:28:50.

32nd Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago, IL, Sunday, October 11, 2009

MEN
1) Sammy Wanjiru (KEN), 2:05:41*, $175,000
2) Abderrahim Goumri (MAR), 2:06:04, $90,000
3) Vincent Kipruto (KEN), 2:06:08, $65,000
4) Charles Munyeki (KEN), 2:07:06, $30,000
5) Richard Limo (KEN), 2:08:43, $10,000
6) Wesley Korir (KEN), 2:10:38
7) Isaac Macharia (KEN), 2:11:09
8) Sergio Reyes (USA / CA), 2:15:30, $12,500
9) Tedese Tola (ETH), 2:15:48
10) Pat Rizzo (USA / MI), 2:15:48, $10,500
11) Ben Maiyo (KEN), 2:16:38
12) Mike McKeeman (USA / CA), 2:17:42, $9000
13) Drew Shackleton (USA / CA), 2:17:56, $7500
14) Kyle Shackleton (USA / CA), 2:18:00, $5500
15) Jeff Jonaitis (USA / IL), 2:18:02, $4000
16) John Lucas (USA / OR), 2:18:53, $2500
17) Aleksandar Tomas (SRB), 2:18:58
18) Morten Bostrom (FIN), 2:19:12
19) Bret Schoolmeester (USA / CO), 2:19:16, $2500
20) Matt Bartlebaugh (USA / MI), 2:19:22, $2500
*U.S. All-Comers record and course record (previous record, 2:05:42, Khalid Khannouchi (MAR), Chicago 1999)

WOMEN
1) Liliya Shobukhova (RUS), 2:25:56, $75,000
2) Irina Mikitenko (GER), 2:26:31, $50,000
3) Lidiya Grigoryeva (RUS), 2:26:47, $25,000
4) Teyba Erkesso (ETH), 2:26:56, $15,000
5) Berhane Adere (ETH), 2:28:38, $10,000
6) Deena Kastor (USA / CA), 2:28:50, $12,500
7) Mizuho Nasukawa (JPN), 2:29:22
8) Melissa White (USA / MI), 2:32:55, $10,500
9) Tera Moody (USA / CO), 2:32:59, $9000
10) Adriana Pirtea (ROU), 2:34:07
Other U.S.
12) Carol Jefferson (USA / MI), 2:41:15, $5000
13) Amanda Trotter (USA / VA), 2:42:44, $3000 
14) Katy Trotter (USA / CA), 2:43:05

Results and more at: www.chicagomarathon.com