Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Other sports


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published June 28, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 1, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Comments (2)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Elija Nyabuti wins Rock 'n' Roll Seattle half-marathon

Kenyan breaks the state record by finishing in 1:05.14, while Ethiopian Berhane Adere wins women's race

Seattle Times staff reporter

Elija Nyabuti finished the men's 13.1-mile half-marathon before some runners even got across the starting line.

That shows the magnitude of the field of 25,000 runners at the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon, which started runners in 36 different groups.

The Kenyan finished the half-marathon in 1 hour, 5 minutes, 14 seconds.

Pat Rizzo finished second in 1:05:34, a personal best, and stayed with Nyabuti until the ninth mile. "He dropped me even though I ran two straight 4:55 miles," said Rizzo, who lives in Detroit. "That shows you his wheels were moving."

Berhane Adere, a former world champion from Ethiopia, pulled away in the final mile of the women's half-marathon and won in 1:11.19, 71 seconds off the state record.

Isley Gonzalez, who just graduated from Washington State, was the first American finisher in her first women's half-marathon. Just months after racing college opponents, she found herself in a race with the world-renowned Adere, who won the prestigious Dubai Marathon just last year, and Nuta Olaru, a former Olympian from Romania who finished second Saturday.

Gonzalez finished in third nearly 9 minutes behind Adere, who has won the Chicago Marathon twice and is using the prize money from racing to build a hotel in Ethiopia.

Adere arrived in Seattle on Thursday afternoon, and her 14-year-old son, Alem, watched the race aboard a flatbed truck that stayed ahead of the leaders in the marathon.

The marathon course diverged from the half-marathon course between the eighth and ninth miles, so Alem couldn't see his mother finish. Someone aboard told him his mother had won.

"Really?" he said.

Yep. There wasn't all that much doubt about it. Adere stayed with Olaru until the final mile and then pulled away, winning by 24 seconds.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

More Other Sports headlines...

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Comments (2)
You weren't censored, you just checked back on an updated article which starts a new thread. I think if you click on the Read article link...  Posted on June 27, 2009 at 10:47 PM by Finzi. Jump to comment
Hmmm...I'm pretty sure I posted a comment here...are we practicing serious censorship or something? Hmmmm...maybe it's time to...  Posted on June 27, 2009 at 10:10 PM by MissBeth. Jump to comment

advertising


Get home delivery today!

More Other Sports

UPDATE - 12:13 AM
NW Briefs: Hydros: Villwock scores a Qatar double

Auto | Enumclaw's Kasey Kahne intends to shop around for a new team

UPDATE - 11:08 PM
Briefs | WNBA: Sacramento Kings franchise folds

NW Briefs: UW student-athletes get good marks

Unlimited hydros go international with race in Qatar

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors
Interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising