Press Release - Little Rock Marathon - 3/4/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       A Four-Peat as Leah Thorvilson Wins Little Rock Marathon

Little Rock, Ark. (March 4, 2012) - For the fourth year in a row, Leah 
Thorvilson is the female winner of the Little Rock Marathon with a personal 
best time of 2:37:26. The 33-year-old Little Rock native said, "this is 
such a special day. I am just so proud."

Thorvilson, who failed to make the Olympic team this year, said she hopes 
she can still represent the United States at the World Games or the Pan Am 
Games. "I am so inspired by the women on the Olympic Team. I'm a little 
older, and I've never run this fast before. I think I'm going to keep 
chasing it."

Thorvilson said she was overwhelmed by the support of the City of Little 
Rock for her marathon efforts.  "I can't even tell you how awesome Little 
Rock is.  I have always had support, but this year was far and away the 
loudest and the strongest. I just did what everybody says you can't do - it 
was my fourth marathon this year and my fastest time ever, and the hardest 
course I have run.  It just goes to show that if you set your mind and your 
heart to it - I have worked my a** off for this race - and it paid off and 
I couldn't be happier, I just couldn't be happier. Everywhere along the 
course I could feel the support of the city and hear the cheers. I guess 
that's why I have never moved away from Little Rock."

Thirty-two-year-old Hellen Rotich of Manor, TX, was second with a time of 
2:47:46. Rotich won the Little Rock Marathon in 2008.

In third place was Heather McWhirter of Glenwood, AR, with a time of 
2:54:14.

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