Weekend event participation increases by double-digit percentage with 18,000 running through Atlanta
By Nick Schubert
ATLANTA - (March 21, 2010) - While more than 18,000 runners from around the world participated in the 4th ING Georgia Marathon weekend, Jynocel Basweti of Kenya set the pace for the 26.2-mile journey through the streets of Atlanta Sunday morning, finishing in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 49 seconds and besting 3,500 other participants. The women's winner was Tatiana Miranova of Russia, who posted a winning time of 2:54:54. Basweti won his third marathon in the past year.
"This is my first Georgia Marathon, and I'm really pleased to win," said Basweti.
Unfortunately, near the 22-mile mark, Ethiopian Tesfaye Sendeku, who had a 20-second lead, was led off course by a motorcycle. He and the lead cycle merged back on the course again, but Sendeku was disqualified. Race officials, however, acknowledged their error and awarded $2000 winner's prize money to both Basweti and Sendeku.
The ING Georgia Half Marathon was won by Geoffrey Kiprotich of Kenya in a time of 1:07:43, besting Michael Green of Troy, AL, who finished five seconds behind. The first female in the half-marathon was from Atlanta, as Alexandra Lonergan finished in 1:23:26, about a minute and a half ahead of Allison Kreutzer of Lilburn, GA (1:24:59). In the wheelchair category, Tony Nogueira of Glen Ridge, NJ, won in 59 minutes, 54 seconds.
The 18,000-plus overall participants in the weekend events (also a 5K and kids run) represent an almost 16% increase over 2009. The race also saw a 25% increase in volunteers, with 2,500 people from the metro Atlanta area giving their time in 2010.
The marathons started at Centennial Olympic Park and took participants through metro Atlanta's most interesting and historic areas, including the Sweet Auburn District, Inman Park, Decatur, Druid Hills, Virginia-Highland, and Midtown areas. Along the way, they passed landmarks including the King Historic Site, Carter Center, four college campuses, and Piedmont Park, finishing back at Centennial Olympic Park. The race featured 6 neighborhood cheering zones, 19 hydration stations and 30 charity affiliates participating to raise money for their respective causes.
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group will open registration for the 2011 Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. A 50% discount will be given to the first 200 registrants, and a 40% discount to the next group of 200 registrants. All participants who register for the 2011 race from March 22-30 will automatically receive a 30% discount. US Road Sports will launch their new website, www.rungeorgiamarathon.com, on Monday, March 22 at 6:00am.
4th ING Georgia Marathon
Atlanta, GA, Sunday, March 21, 2010
MEN
1) Jynocel Basweti (KEN), 2:20:49, $2000
2) Richard Chelimo (KEN), 2:30:17, $1000
3) Kassahun Kabiso (ETH), 2:32:29, $500
WOMEN
1) Tatiana Miranova, 41, RUS, 2:54:54, $2500
2) Kyla Barbour (GA), 2:58:00, $1000
3) Sarah Hallas (CA), 3:04:07, $500
4th ING Georgia Half Marathon
MEN
1) Geoffrey Kiprotich (KEN), 1:07:43, $1000
2) Michael Green (AL), 1:07:48, $500
WOMEN
1) Alexandra Lonergan (GA), 1:23:26, $1000
2) Allison Kreutzer (GA), 1:24:59, $500
Full results at: www.INGgeorgiamarathon.com
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