A record-setting run
By: Tamara Barak Aparton
Examiner Staff Writer
May 17, 2009
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| Sammy Kitwara, the 22-year-old winner of the ING Bay to Breakers footrace, broke a course record Sunday with a time of 33 minutes, 31 seconds. The time was also the fastest 12K race run ever, race organizers said. (Mike Koozmin/Special to The Examiner) |
SAN FRANCISCO — The 22-year-old winner of the ING Bay to Breakers race broke not only a course record, but a world record, as he sprinted to the finish line in 33 minutes, 31 seconds Sunday morning.
Sammy Kitwara’s time was the fastest 12K race run ever, race organizers said. He smashed the ING Bay to Breakers record of 33 minutes,
42 seconds set by fellow Kenyan Ismael Kirui in 1993.
“This is my 10th year and I’ve never seen a race like that,” said Angela Fang, general manager of the ING Bay to Breakers, which is in its 98th year.
The world’s record is not the first shattered by Kitwara. He has also achieved fastest 15K and second-fastest 10K.
“I feel very well, but very hot,” Kitwara said, all smiles.
He said he’ll buy a luxury car with his winnings — a total $40,000 in prize money. In addition to snaring the title of Battle to the Breakers winner, Kitwara crested the Hayes Street Hill first at 12:23. Kitwara said he knew he was going to win because of how he did during training in Kenya. This visit is his first to the Bay Area and he’s thrilled to be here.
“I love this place. It’s the best place,” he said. “The beaches, the chance to relax with no one bothering you, it’s like Kenya.”
Kitwara was followed by Tilahun Regassa, a 19-year-old man from Ethiopia, who finished second place with a time of 34:15. Third place went to 29-year-old John Yuda from Tanzania, at 34:23.
The first U.S. man to finish was 29-year-old Justin Young of Boulder, Colo., who crossed the line at 36:05.
See the names of the top 10,000 finishers here
Newcomer takes women’s title
Like her male counterpart and overall race winner, the first woman to cross the finish line at the ING Bay to Breakers footrace was new to the competition.
Teyba Erkesso, 26, snatched victory at the ING Bay to Breakers after placing first in the Houston Marathon earlier this year.
Erkesso was decidedly humble about her win, despite setting a personal-best time of 38 minutes, 29 seconds.
“I’m happy, a little bit,” she said. “Sometime win, sometime no win. This is normal.”
Last year’s female winner, Lineth Chepkurui, 21, of Kenya, came in second among the women on Sunday with a time of 38:35. She also topped the Hayes Street Hill first among the women, earning an extra $5,000.
Chepkurui said she would be back next year to reclaim the winner’s spot.
In third place was Olympian Deena Kastor, 36, of Mammoth, with a time of 39:05.
Kastor, who also ran the race for the first time, came with serious credentials. She took the 2004 Olympic bronze medal in marathon running, the 2002 and 2003 World Cross Country silver medals, and is the winner of both the Chicago and London marathons. She holds eight American records and one world record.
Kastor was the first U.S. woman to complete the course Sunday.
Local runners turn in strong performances
It wasn’t just the wacky costumes that helped Bay Area residents attract attention at ING Bay to Breakers. Serious speed also helped them make their mark.
At 37 minutes, 40 seconds, San Mateo resident Peter Gilmore was the first local man to cross the finish line. Greg Timblin of Berkeley followed at 41:01. San Bruno resident Arturo Huezo placed at 42:05, while Chris Smith of Fremont finished 29 seconds later. Berkeley resident Wayne Wagner finished fifth among the locals, at 43:19.
Among the local women, Melinda DiNapoli of Saratoga came in first at 47:13. Erin Wagner of Mill Valley placed second at 50:30, while Erica Solway of Palo Alto crossed the finish line at 52:39. Following were Newark resident Rachel Borg at 53:02 and Talia Starkey of Kensington at 53:15.
From the bayside Embarcadero, the more than 30,000 registered runners persevered up the Hayes Street Hill and on to the 11.15 percent grade between Fillmore and Sutter — the highest point on the course. The runners then made their way along the panhandle and through Golden Gate Park to the finish line at the “breakers” of Ocean Beach.
Top 10 men finishers
Name Time
« 1. Sammy Kitwara 33:31
2. Tilahun Regassa 34:15
3. John Yuda 34:23
4. John Korir 34:53
5. Silas Sang 34:54
6. Gilbert Okari 35:18
7. Gilbert Koech 36:01
8. Justin Young 36:05
9. Mike Sayenko 36:36
10. Josh Moen 36:53
Top 10 women finishers
Name Time
« 1. Teyba Erkesso 38:29
2. Lineth Chepkurui 38:35
3. Deena Kastor 39:04
4. Edna Kiplagat 40:30
5. Jane Kibii 40:40
6. Teyba Naser 40:47
7. Liliya Shobukhova 41:04
8. Katie McGregor 41:29
9. Mariya Konovalova 41:37
10. Kiyoko Shimahara 42:07
