For Immediate Release
Contact:
Peter Nantell
Chronicle Marathon Race Director
peter_nantell@westendmanagement.com
Tel: (415) 284-9653
BOWEN, LEWY WIN CHRONICLE MARATHON OF SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco, Calif. (August 12, 2002) - Over 4,500 finishers celebrated
the 25th anniversary of marathoning in San Francisco on Sunday, July 28
at a revitalized Chronicle Marathon that included a half marathon, 5K and
marathon relay. On a mild California summer morning in the naturally air
conditioned City by the Bay, Nate Bowen of Menlo Park, CA easily won his
first attempt at the marathon distance, recording a time of 2 hours, 31
minutes, and 46 seconds. In a women's race that wasn't quite so pat,
first place finisher Magdalena Lewy unintentionally went off
course--along with a group of other runners--but was declared the winner
when no protests were filed. Lewy's winning gap, culminating with an
adjusted 2:53:55 finish time, was commanding.
Bowen, 26, who competes for the Stanford University-based Nike Farm Team,
one of the most competitive track and field clubs in the nation, decided
to give the 26.2-mile distance a try after a disappointing track season
hampered by injuries. And, his debut was a successful one, as the
part-time special education teacher easily topped 2,020 marathon
finishers, and carried home $1,000 of the $10,000 prize purse that was
distributed to first overall, masters, and local finishers in both the
marathon and half marathon.
Bill McDonnell, 30, of Fairbanks, Alaska placed second in 2:37:44. Craig
Vanderoef, 27, of Seattle, WA was third in an adjusted time of 2:38:54.
"I definitely wanted to win; that was the goal," said a fatigued Bowen.
"Whatever time it took to win...but it was tough. With four miles to go I
was really hurting. My legs started to cramp up, but I kind of relaxed
and ran through it. Still, I had a lot of fun. I can't ask for more."
Bowen plans to run another marathon in the spring and attempt to qualify
for the 2004 U.S. Olympic marathon trials race.
Lewy, 28, of Berkeley, CA veered off course when she followed a group of
runners that were led astray by an unofficial bicyclist who was mistaken
for a lead bike. The unintentional shortcut sliced about 6/10s of a mile
off the official course, affecting Lewy's finishing time which was later
adjusted upwards 3 minutes and 44 seconds to compensate for the shortened
distance. Lewy's adjusted time was a dominating 12 minutes ahead of
Carolyn Doles, 40, of Saratoga, CA, who finished second at 3:06:36. Riva
Rahl, 28, of Dallas was third in 3:08:39.
Doles was the women's masters (age 40 and over) winner. 40-year-old Craig
Steinmaus grabbed the men's masters title in 2:41:29. Steinmaus and
female Micha Lowe (3:10:02), both of San Francisco, were the first local
finishers.
"It's always nice to do a long run among people in the city of San
Francisco," said Lewy, who also runs for the Farm Team, and was
participating as a training effort. "The course was beautiful, a lot of
up and down hills, but it wasn't so bad. Actually, it was a lot of fun."
Lewy placed second woman and first American in her previous two marathons
(California International/Sacramento, and Pittsburgh) and boasts a
marathon best of 2:36:48. A native of Poland, she took the oath of
American citizenship on September 11, 2001 just when the attacks in New
York were occurring.
About her short tour off course, Lewy said: "It's really unfortunate, but
sometimes these things happen. I really came here to win this race."
James Sheremeta, 38, of La Jolla, CA and Angela Strange, 23, of Toronto,
Canada topped the accompanying half marathon. Sheremeta recorded a
winning time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 22 seconds. Strange ran 1:18:52 for
her win. In the 5-kilometer race, Nasdor Ayala (age 42, 15:59), of
Colinga, CA and Diana Clock (age 19, 19:22) of Tiburon, CA emerged as
overall champions. Relay teams representing the San Francisco-based
Hoy's-Excelsior running club won all three divisions (men's, women's, and
coed) in the four-person marathon relay.
The Chronicle Marathon's "Cause to Run" and "Progressive Marathon" pledge
programs raise funds for the event's official charities: the Bay Area
Fire Department's Emergency Response Team Program, Volunteer Center of
San Francisco, Bay Area Red Cross, Child Abuse Prevention Society, the
San Francisco Health Department's Treatment On Demand Substance Abuse
Project, America True: Programs for At-Risk Youth, Oceana, Organs 'R' Us,
San Francisco Suicide Prevention, and the Canine Specialized Support Team.
This year, the Chronicle Marathon introduced a flatter and faster
marathon loop course that features many of San Francisco's scenic
landmarks such as Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park and Presidio
National Park; offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
Island; and takes runners along the Pacific Ocean, through the
Haight-Ashbury District, and past baseball's Pacific Bell Park. A
downtown start/finish line in front of the Ferry Building at the city's
historic world trade port is adjacent to Justin Herman Plaza--the
location of the event's three-day Expo.
All in all, most runners were enthusiastic about the new look and feel.
And they understand that in the romantic city of seafood and sourdough
bread you'll never find a pancake-flat course. Said one marathoning
veteran: "Some runners run for fast times. I run for good times. And
running a marathon in San Francisco is one heck of a blast."
Complete results of all races are posted on the event's Web site at
www.ChronicleMarathon.com.
(Press release from Mark Winitz, Win-It z Sports Public Relations, Los
Altos, CA)
# # #
TOP MARATHON RESULTS
Place Name Residence Age Time
Men
1 Nate Bowen Menlo Park, CA 26 2:31:46
2 Bill McDonnell Fairbanks, AK 30 2:37:44
3 Craig Vanderoef Seattle, WA 27 2:38:54
4 Chris Knorzer Rocklin, CA 33 2:40:27
5 Craig Steinmaus San Francisco, CA 40 2:41:29
6 Bryan Buterbaugh Roseville, CA 33 2:43:44
7 Guy Gordon Newton, NJ 44 2:47:44
8 Armando Onofre Oxnard, CA 32 2:49:46
9 Joachim Griesenbeck Menlo Park, CA 34 2:50:05
10 Richie Boulet Berkeley, CA 29 2:51:06
Women
1 Magdalena Lewy Berkeley, CA 28 2:53:55
2 Carolyn Doles Saratoga, CA 40 3:06:36
3 Riva Rahl Dallas, TX 28 3:08:39
4 Michelle Sullivan E Palo Alto, CA 31 3:08:58
5 Micha Lowe San Francisco, CA 32 3:10:02
6 Lis Murphy San Ramon, CA 36 3:10:25
7 Julie L'Heureux Santa Clara, CA 40 3:17:18
8 Laurie Gordon Newton, NJ 34 3:19:40
9 Jennifer Edgerley Broomfield, CO 35 3:21:16
10 Lisa Dommert Portage, MI 29 3:21:59
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The 2002 Chronicle Marathon is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle,
KPIX Channel 5, SFGate.com, 96.5 KOIT, UPN 44/Digital 45/Cable 12, San
Francisco Toyota, Albertson's, GU Energy Gel, GU2O Hydration Drink,
Centrum Performance Energy Nutrition Bar, the San Francisco Municipal
Railway, the Port of San Francisco, Webb Design, the Embarcadero Center,
and the San Francisco Road Runners Club.
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