FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009 Denver Marathon Rocks the Mile High City
Race draws strong local talent and nearly 10,000 participants;
part of Rock 'n' Roll Series in 2010
DENVER - (October 18, 2009) - The Denver Marathon, the largest marathon
event in Colorado, celebrated its fourth edition on Sunday morning in the
Mile High City, including a marathon, a half-marathon, ING Marathon Relay
and the McDonald's Mile Kids Race. Nearly 10,000 runners competed in all
events over the course of race weekend with the many of the top place
winners representing all areas of Colorado. More than 700 participants
represented a dozen charity programs selected by the Denver Marathon
raising more than $200,000 for their organizations.
In the marathon, a local Coloradan from Arvada, Chris Siemers, 28, led the
men's field in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 3 seconds. The defending champion
Jynocel Basweti, 22, of Kenya placed second in 2:23:56. Another Colorado
resident Andrew Smith, 33, from Denver, took third (2:28:35).
"I had settled for second place, and was more worried about being caught by
third," said Siemers. "At mile 24, I saw my friend Mike Aish (winner 2008
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon), and he said to me you can
catch him, go for it. I threw down my sunglasses and put my head down and
went for it. I caught him at 26 so I'm obviously very happy to have come
here and won."
In the women's marathon, Holly McIlvaine, 36, of Seattle, WA finished first
in 3:00:26, while Ashley Anderson, 25, from Denver was second in 3:03:03
and Jeanne Cooper, 31, from Eagle, CO third (3:05:42).
In the half-marathon, Matt Levassiur, from Alamosa, CO took first in
1:08:05, and Justin Young, 30, of Superior, CO was runner-up in 1:08:59
with Kennett Kiptoo of Kenya, 29, third (1:10:13).
Peris Chumba, 21, of Kenya led the female half-marathon division with her
1:18:53. Cynthia Lauren Arnold, 25, of Glenwood Springs, CO finished second
in 1:21:50 and rounding out the top three was Elle Pishny, 24, of Durham,
NC in 1:23:07.
ING Four Person Relay
The first place marathon relay team was a Mixed team, Bells Running, from
Greeley, CO with a time of 2:30:29. The top Men's team was The GVI Group
from Denver in 2:39:40. The Four UPS, all from the Denver Metro area,
placed first in the Corporate division with their 3:15:43. The Women's
division top relay team was CU Buffettes, all from Denver, in 3:01:28.
McDonald's Mile Kids Race
The McDonald's Mile Kids Race had more than 1,200 participants in its
one-mile fun-run and other younger races to promote balanced active
lifestyles in the state of Colorado. Ronald McDonald kicked off the event
with a stretching and fitness session to prepare for the McDonald's Mile
Kids Race.
The course highlighted the cultural diversity of Denver's communities by
incorporating a mix of urban neighborhoods, shopping and restaurant
districts, city parks and residential areas. The race course, certified by
USA Track & Field and a Boston Marathon qualifier, was flat and had little
to no elevation change.
"Today signified what the sport of running is all about - dedication,
commitment and perfect Colorado weather, which made for an amazing running
event in the great state of Colorado," said Anton Villatoro, Founder and
Executive Director of the Denver Marathon. "Today, we celebrated with the
10,000 athletes who participated in our event and encourage everyone to
start training for the first Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon in the Fall of
2010. See you at next year's finish line."
The Competitor Group announced Friday that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Series will officially add the Denver Marathon to its schedule of races for
next year. The event will host the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon,
Half-Marathon and the ING Marathon Relay in the Fall of 2010.
With the addition of the Denver event, there will now be thirteen Rock 'n'
Roll Marathons and Half-Marathons in 2010. Each event creates a running
"block party" with live bands performing at every mile, cheerleaders
encouraging runners throughout the race, themed water stations and a
post-event concert featuring a headlining act. For more information about
the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon, visit: www.runrocknroll.com
4th Denver Marathon
Denver, CO, Sunday, October 18, 2009
MEN
1) Chris Siemers (CO), 2:23:03, $2000
2) Jynocel Basweti (KEN), 2:23:56, $1000
3) Andrew Smith (CO), 2:28:35, $500
WOMEN
1) Holly McIlvaine (WA), 3:00:26, $2000
2) Ashley Anderson (CO), 3:03:03, $1000
3) Jeanne Cooper (CO), 3:05:42, $500
4th Denver Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Matt Levassiur (CO), 1:08:05, $1000
2) Justin Young (CO), 1:08:59, $500
3) Kennett Kiptoo (KEN), 1:10:13, $250
WOMEN
1) Peris Chumba (KEN), 1:18:53, $1000
2) Cynthia Lauren Arnold (CO), 1:21:50, $500
3) Elle Pishny (NC), 1:23:07, $250
Deeper results at: www.denvermarathon.com
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