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Sep-19-2010
Deniboba, Ndereba Win Inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon
by Steve Nearman
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - (September 19, 2010) - For nearly 13 miles on Sunday, Deresse Deniboba of Ethiopia and countryman Tesfaye Senduku ran stride-for-stride. As the two African world class distance runners approached the Plaza finish area in the resort of National Harbor, Deniboba found one last burst of energy and broke through the finish tape just two seconds ahead to win the inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon presented by Burke & Herbert Bank in front of more than 3,200 finishers.
The 25-year-old New York City-based Deniboba posted a solid time of 1:04:44 to the 26-year-old Senduku's 1:04:46.
Shortly after, the headliner of the event - Catherine Ndereba of Kenya - demonstrated why she is the most accomplished female marathoner ever. Even after twisting her ankle around Mile 9, the 38-year-old Ndereba ended in 1:13:17 ahead of two Ethiopian runners, and in 10th place overall.
At 10 miles coming off the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland, Ndereba, who trains in the Philadelphia suburb of Royersford, had a 29-second margin on Alemtsehay Misganaw, who would eventually place third.
But Aziza Aliyu overtook Misganaw over the last 5K through the hilly National Harbor to follow Ndereba to the line 13 seconds later with Misganaw just two seconds back.
Deniboba and Ndereba, who was sporting bib #1, each earned $1000 for the victory and a $250 time bonus for dropping under 1:05 and 1:16, respectively.
In fact, five runners - Deniboba, Senduku, Ndereba, Aliyu and Misganaw - earned time bonuses.
In support for American athletes, race organizers awarded $3800 in U.S.-only cash. Ultra-marathoner Michael Wardian of Arlington was top U.S. male in 1:08:52, earning $800. Jared Campbell of Alexandria was second in 1:13:11, good for $500 while Aliyu's husband Retta Feyissa, who as an Ethiopian captured the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon, was third American in 1:13:36 ($300), his first race as a newly-minted U.S. citizen.
Laura O'Hara of Alexandria, prepping for the Chicago Marathon, was top American female in 1:19:35, followed by Christa Plummer of Glenside, PA (1:20:30) and Kristi Markowicz of Arlington (1:20:42).
Top Masters (40 and over) were John Piggott, 45, Williamsburg, Va. (1:15:20) and Markowicz, 40, in (1:20:42) and won $200 each.
Checks totaling $30,000 were donated to six charity partners from the race.
Runners from 33 states and the District of Columbia were treated to clear, dry delightful weather for running from Mount Vernon, Va., over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to National Harbor, prompting Thomas Berry to declare: "Can't wait until the 25th anniversary race when I can say I've run them all!"
Inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon
National Harbor, MD, Sunday, September 19, 2010
MEN
1) Deresse Deniboba (ETH), 1:04:44, $1250
2) Tesfaye Senduku (ETH), 1:04:46, $750
3) Isaac Birir (KEN), 1:05:26, $250
4) Bado Merdessa (ETH), 1:05:47
5) Ronald Kurui (KEN), 1:07:49
6) Wilson Komen (KEN, 1:08:31
7) Michael Wardian (USA / VA), 1:08:52, $800
8) Robbie Wade (IRL), 1:10:35
9) Jared Campbell USA / VA), 1:13:11, $500
10) Retta Feyissa (USA / NY), 1:13:36, $300
WOMEN
1) Catherine Ndereba (KEN), 1:13:17, $1250
2) Aziza Aliyu (ETH), 1:13:30, $750
3) Alemtsehay Misganaw (ETH), 1:13:32, $500
4) Laura O'Hara (USA / VA), 1:19:35, $800
5) Christa Plummer (USA / PA), 1:20:30, $500
6) Kristi Markowicz, 40, USA / VA, 1:20:42, $500
7) Erin Swain (USA / VA, 1:23:37, $200
8) Tara Guelig (USA / DC), 1:24:38, $100
9) Alisa Harvey, 45, USA / VA, 1:26:13, $150
10) Raquel Morgan (USA / DC), 1:26:57
Full results at: wilsonbridgehalf.com
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