FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flanagan Victorious, Locals Dominate Marathon at Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio
·Shalane Flanagan records fastest U.S. half-marathon performance of 2011
·San Antonio's Liza Hunter-Galvan wins the Marathon's Texas Showdown
·Vince Neil Rocks Finish Line Concert; Event Benefits Susan G. Komen for
the Cure
San Antonio, TX – November 13, 2011 – A heavy morning fog lifted into
bright afternoon sunshine as more than 30,000 entrants pushed through the
miles at the 4th annual Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon
benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
American record holder and Olympian Shalane Flanagan passed her first test
in preparation for the Olympic Trials by handily winning the women's
half-marathon in 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 49 seconds. Flanagan used the race
to prepare for January's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston, where she
hopes to make her third Olympic team.
"This is the first step toward my Olympic goal," said Flanagan, who
recorded the second fastest half-marathon time of the year for an American
woman. "The marathon is a daunting distance to prepare for, but I felt good
and had fun out there. My goal was to run 72 minutes and I accomplished
that."
The win is another of Flanagan's many proud moments this year, after
winning her second U.S. title in the 10,000 meters this past summer in
Eugene, Oregon and a bronze medal at the IAAF World Cross Country
Championships, where she finished behind two reigning world champions. Rock
'n' Roll Chicago champion Tera Moody finished second behind Flanagan in
1:13:23, followed by Kristen Fryburg-Zaitz in 1:15:14 for third.
In the men's race, Colorado's Augustus Maiyo led from the start, holding
his lead over Michael Reneau to finish in 1:04:24. The 28-year-old never
doubted the win, despite looking over his shoulder as Reneau attempted to
close in.
"I was trying to see who was following me, but I was confident. I knew I
had won at mile 5. It was a great race," said Maiyo.
Texans had a stellar showing in the full marathon, with the top ten in both
the women's and men's races hailing from the Lone Star state and fueling
the fire of the annual Texas Showdown.
David Fuentes, 25, of Austin, took an early lead and never looked back. He
finished in 2:28:10 over San Antonio local Jeremy Daum, who crossed the
finish line in 2:30:34. Fuentes, who grew up in San Antonio, said the win
was a proud moment despite failing to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
"This is only my second full marathon, and I came here hoping to qualify,
but I'm not quite at that point yet. Of course, I also came to win and I'm
thrilled to come through first in the city where I grew up. I just wish
there were more Rock 'n' Roll races in Texas so I could run in them."
San Antonio local and New Zealand Olympian Liza Hunter-Galvan claimed
hometown glory in the women's race, winning in 2:46:55 over Hellen Rotich
of Manor, Texas. The 42-year-old said the community support along the
course pushed her through.
"What better place to win a marathon?" asked Hunter-Galvan after winning
her second marathon of the year. "It was great to see the crowds as I came
through the finish line. I'm not training like I used to, and really I just
run for fun now."
San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley completed the half-marathon for a
4th year in a row, running in 2:09:13. Runners celebrated race day with a
rocking post-race concert outside the Alamodome as Vince Neil took the
stage.
"We had some great performances in San Antonio this year led by Olympic
hopeful Shalane Flanagan who looked very impressive coasting to a 70.49
victory as she continues her build up to the trials in January," said Matt
Turnbull, Elite Athlete Manager for the event. "It was also a good day for
the local favorites in the marathon with Liza Hunter-Galvan returning to
win her home town race and David Fuentes of Austin taking the men's race."
Participants raised more than $200,000 through the event for the fight
against breast cancer through with the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure
charity training program. The cause keeps 75% of the proceeds in San
Antonio for local screening, education and treatment while 25% will be
granted for research.
The 5th Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting Susan G.
Komen for the Cure is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, 2012.
Race Results:
Full Marathon – Men
1. David Fuentes, 25, Austin, TX, 2:28:10, $2,000*
2. Jeremy Daum, 25, San Antonio, TX, 2:30:34, $1,000*
3. Taylor Monts, 26, Austin, TX, 2:40:01, $500*
Full Marathon – Women
1. Liza Hunter-Galvan, 42, San Antonio, TX, 2:46:55, $2,000*
2. Hellen Rotich, 32, Manor, TX, 2:48:28, $1,000*
3. Marnie Staehly, 34, San Antonio, TX, 2:56:30, $500*
Half - Marathon Men
1. Augustus Maiyo, 28, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:04:24, $1,000
2. Michael Reneau, 33, St. Paul, MN, 1:04:39, $500
3. Brent Vaughn, 27, Portland, OR, 1:05:25, $250
Half – Marathon Women
1. Shalane Flanagan, 30, Portland, OR, 1:10:49, $1,000
2. Tera Moody, 30, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:13:23, $500
3. Kristen Fryburg Zaitz, 30, Broomfield, CO, 1:15:14, $250
*Includes Texas-only prize money.
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