FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aaron Braun and Kara Goucher Dominate at the
Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Half Marathon
Mark Greene and Stephanie Wurtz place first in the men's and women's
marathon
SAN ANTONIO, TX – December 6, 2015 – Nearly everything is big in Texas and
so it comes as no surprise that the victories in the men's and women's
Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday were
super-sized versions.
Kara Goucher, the American Olympian dominated the women's half marathon
race, clocking one hour, 11 minutes, and 10 seconds for the 13.1 miles. "I
wanted to either win or run under 71 minutes," the 37-year-old Goucher
recalled afterwards. "As the race was unfolding, the women were using it as
a workout, and so I was just by myself. I'm not comfortable leading and so
this race was a good exercise for me. I had never been that far ahead since
college, so it was a learning experience for me." Goucher is one of the
most popular female American distance runners and her fame was evident on
the course as many spectators held up "Go Kara!" signs. Goucher says she
really appreciated that support. "It was awesome," she said. "Honestly, I
would have retired years ago if it weren't for my fans who truly believe in
me." Goucher is gearing up for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in
February and admits that she's just been "plugging away" at mileage in
anticipation of that. "The more weeks of uninterrupted training I get, the
more likely it will be that I run faster on February 13," she said. Goucher
is the proud mother of a son, Colt, who was born in 2010 and says that
she's been thankful of the support she's received from Competitor Group.
"They are the only company that supported me during my pregnancy," she
said. "I am near and dear to them. They have been with me during the good
and the bad. They've stood by me. I love these events. They are like the
Olympics for all types of runners. I love how it's all about celebrating
here and it doesn't matter what your goal is. Some are here to make the
Olympic team and some are here to finish. Everyone is respected."
Goucher's nearest rival on Sunday, eventual second-place finisher Sasha
Gollish, making her half marathon debut after winning the Bronze Medal in
the 1,500m for Canada at this summer's Pan American Games, was over 2
minutes behind in 1:12:35. Shalane Flanagan took third in 1:12:42, the
same time as her training partner Amy Hastings Cragg who came in fourth.
The men's winner in the 13.1-mile race was 28-year-old Aaron Braun from
Alamosa, Colorado, who broke the finish-line tape in 1:04:11—over 90
seconds ahead of second-place finisher Jeffrey Eggleston (1:05:44). Both
are considered contenders in February's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, with
Jeffrey being ranked as the #2 American Marathoner in 2014.
"It was great," Braun said of his win. "I enjoyed being back in my comfort
zone, running half-marathon and marathon pace." Braun ran the first half of
the race with Eggleston. "We just kind of worked together," he recalled. "I
think I was feeling better than he was at the hills [mile 5] and just
picked it up a little bit.
Phillip Baar came in third in 1:06:39 in his half marathon debut.
The full marathon was held in conjunction with the half. In the men's
division, Mark Greene from San Antonio prevailed with a big PR of 2:31:32.
David Rodriguez was second in 2:33:03, while Jose Roberto Zavala Calderon
rounded out the podium in 2:35:29.
"I was actually talking to myself during the race," the 25-year-old Greene
recalled. "I said that I can and I will. I believe. I believe." Greene made
a comeback during the race—seizing the lead after mile 22.
The women's marathon winner was Stephanie Wurtz of Manitou Springs,
Colorado in 2:59:02. Second and third went to Tanja Ivandic (3:07:35) and
Ashley McGee (3:12:11) respectively.
Conditions in San Antonio on Sunday couldn't have been better with clear
skies and calm winds. Along with the elites, 25,000 runners from all over
the world took to San Antonio's scenic streets to run a marathon, half
marathon, relay or 5K distance. San Francisco-based 90's post-grunge band,
Third Eye Blind, serenaded finishers and their families at the post race
Toyota Rock 'n' Roll Concert Series at the city's Alamodome.
The event once again featured two days of running with the Rock 'n' Roll
San Antonio 10K on Saturday. Participants that ran the 10K and any distance
on Sunday took the Remix Challenge and earned a third medal in addition to
each race's finisher medals. SUBWAY KiDS ROCK San Antonio powered by San
Antonio Sports also took place on Saturday at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Thousands of children in grades kindergarten – 7th completed a one mile
run.
2015 Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon Results
Name, Age, Hometown, Time
Men's Marathon
1. Mark Greene, 25, San Antonio, TX, 2:31:32 PR, $500
2. David Rodriguez, 33, Corpus Christi, TX, 2:33:03, $250
3. Jose Roberto Zavala Calderon, 35, Mexico, 2:35:29, $100
4. Jason Butler, 43, Oklahoma, OK, 2:35:48
5. Joel Harris, 35, San Antonio, TX, 2:39:35
Women's Marathon
1. Stephanie Wurtz, 33, Manitou Springs, CO, 2:59:02, $500
2. Tanja Ivandic, 27, Fort Worth, TX, 3:07:35, $250
3. Ashley McGee, 36, San Antonio, TX, 3:12:11, $100
4. Sarah Getty, 33, Maple Grove, MN, 3:15:54
5. Julia Vegas, 30, Buda, TX, 3:18:09
Men's Half Marathon
1. Aaron Braun, 28, Alamosa, CO, 1:04:11, $1,000*
2. Jeffrey Eggleston, 31, Boulder, CO, 1:05:44, $400
3. Phillip Baar, 23, Corpus Christi, TX, 1:06:39, $300
4. Barnabas Kirui, 29, Dallas, TX, 1:08:44, $200
5. Ryan Smith, 30, Kingwood, TX, 1:09:51, $100
Women's Half Marathon
1. Kara Goucher, 37, Boulder, CO, 1:11:10, $1,000*
2. Sasha Gollish, 33, Canada, 1:12:35 PR, $900*
3. Shalane Flanagan, 34, Portland, OR, 1:12:42, $800*
4. Amy Hastings Cragg, 31, Portland, OR, 1:12:42, $800*
5. Kellyn Taylor, 29, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:13:19, $700*
6. Lauren Smith, 24, Lake Jackson, TX, 1:14:52 PR, $500*
7. Heleene Tambet, 22, Albuquerque, NM, 1:14:57 PR, NCAA eligibility
Men's Wheelchair Marathon
1. Chad Johnson, 44, Corydon, IN, 1:55:11, $1000
2. Matthew Porterfield, 35, Knoxville, TN, 2:06:53, $500
3. Matt Davis, 49, Bowling Green, KY, 2:09:42, $250
Women's Wheelchair Marathon
1. Kelly Elmlinger, 36, San Antonio, TX, 2:26:34, $1,000
About Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon
The 8th annual Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon will
return the weekend of December 5 – 6, 2015. Live bands, cheerleaders and
spectators will entertain participants along the scenic course, which
starts and finishes at the Alamodome. The race concludes with a finish line
festival and post race concert. Runners who complete Saturday's 10K and
Sunday's marathon, half marathon or 5K will earn a special Remix Challenge
medal in addition to each race's finisher medals. A two-day Health &
Fitness Expo kicks off race weekend on Friday, December 4 and Saturday,
December 5. The free Expo is open to the public and will feature the latest
in running apparel and nutrition products. For more information about
Humana Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio, please visit runrocknroll.com/san-antonio
or follow us on Twitter @runrocknroll.
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