Dominic Ondoro Shatters Phil Coppess’s 1985 Mark with 2:08:51
St. Paul, Minn. - October 9, 2016 - After 31 years, Phil Coppess, the humble factory worker from Iowa, is no longer the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon record holder. Kenya’s Dominic Ondoro broke the 1985 record by more than a minute, stopping the clock at 2:08:51.
Ondoro outpaced the reigning Grandma’s Marathon champ Elisha Barno, his countryman and training partner, who ran 2:10:21 for second, the third fastest time in the event’s history. Completing a Kenyan podium sweep, Rodgers Gesabwa finished third in 2:15:24.
"It was an impressive record," the soft-spoken Ondoro said of Coppess’s mark. "I’m very happy. It’s my first time to run 2:08."
Ondoro earned $10,000 for the win and an additional $25,000 for breaking the course record.
In women’s competition, Kenya’s Jane Kibii avenged her four-second defeat last year, winning in 2:30:01. Fellow Kenyan Sarah Kiptoo was second in 2:32:18. Defending women’s champ Serkalem Abrha of Ethiopia finished third in 2:34:58.
Kibii, who sensed she was stronger when the route tipped uphill, took the lead at mile 21 and was not challenged thereafter. "After 21 miles I knew. I knew it was my race and I knew there were more hills," Kibii explained.
Tyler Byers of Denver won the marathon’s wheelchair competition in 2:02:29, while Samantha Schroth of Greenville, Wisc. topped the women’s division in 2:39:41
In all, 8551 runners finished the 35th running of the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America.
Earlier in the sunny autumn day, Jordan Hasay of Beaverton, Ore. won the USATF Women’s 10 Mile Championships held in conjunction with the Medtronic TC 10 Mile in 52:49. She also won the $10,000 Equalizer Bonus in the handicapped competition between USATF Championship women and men topping Sam Chelanga of Tucson, Ariz., who won the USATF men's title in 47:25.
Hasay and the rest of the women’s championship field started 5:43 ahead of the men, and the margin was more than enough for Hasay who bettered Chelanga comfortably.
"I knew what I could do based on training," Hasay said. "We were shooting for 52 minutes, to feel comfortable, and to get the bonus."
Hasay won the women’s race ahead of runner-up Aliphine Tuliamuk of Santa Fe, N.M. second in 53:01 and the Olympic triathlon gold medalist Gwen Jorgensen, third in 53:13. Chelanga outran Noah Droddy of Boulder, Colo., second in 47:28, and Timothy Richie of New Haven, Conn., third in 47:33.
"It's been a long year with the Olympics," said Chelanga who competed in both marathon and track and field Olympic trials in 2016. "I'm very grateful that I was healthy all year long. Races like this are just amazing."
A total of 9200 runners finished the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. All told, more than 24,600 runners participated in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend events.
"Nature gave us a picture perfect day for our 35th anniversary and Dominic Ondoro made more history for us," Twin Cities In Motion executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said. "It’s an honor to organize this great Twin Cities tradition and community treasure."
About Twin Cities In Motion (TCM): Twin Cities In Motion organizes the region’s premier running events, including the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, a Top 10 U.S. Marathon. With a mission of promoting healthy lifestyles through running events and community outreach, TCM contributes a portion of every race dollar to local youth and professional athletes and helps raise more than $950,000 annually with its charity partners. For more information, visit us at TCMEvents.org, or find us on Facebook and on Twitter @tcmarathon.
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