Meseret Defar of Ethiopia made her half marathon debut this morning, edging out Lineth Chepkin to win the Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon in 1:07:44. Defar's time is the fastest 13.1 miles ran in the U.S. In a close race, Chepkin of Kenya was second in 1:07:46. Werknesh Kidane of Ethiopia was third in 1:08:30 and Shalane Flanigan fourth in 1:08:36.
For the men, Matthew Kisorio of Kenya broke the course record and was first in 1:00:15, Gebre Gebremarium second in 1:00:25, and Abderrahim Gourmi of Morocco third in 1:01:33. The favored 2009 Distance Run Champion, Ryan Hall, finished thirteenth in 1:03:55. His 1:01:52 to win last year was on the previous course. It was a disappointing day for Hall who came out to the race confident to win.
Other notable finishes were Katie McGregor in seventh place for the women in 1:12:04, Deratu Tulu 10th for the women in 1:13:01. For the men, Brett Gotcher was 9th in 1:02:50, and Samuel Ndereba 12th in 1:03:28.
Philadelphia runners had a good showing and age seemed to be a factor for both the men and women. For the men, Michael Didio, 27, was first in 1:09:42. 24 year old Brian Lang was second in 1:10:38 and Jason Theobald, 25, was third in 1:11:38. For the women, Emily McGregor, 24, was first in 1:19:13, followed by Heidi Bretscher, 23 in 1:20:48, and Meredith Lambert, 27 in 1:21:42.
The weather was in the low 60s for most of the race for a beautiful day in Philadelphia. For runners, it was a bit warm and lower temperatures are preferred, but the skies were blue and the humidity low this morning. Bands rocked the course and as 15,411 runners finished this year. The corral start was very smooth and finish in front of the Art Museum seemed more manageable than the finish chute in the past in Eakins Oval. Participants seemed to enjoy the course going in the opposite direction on Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Drive this year. There were adequate water stops and GU was provided between miles 8 and 9. This event has always had music along the course - the noticable differences were the bands performing at the start and finish.
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Final Results
Women
1 Meseret Defar, 26, Ethiopia 1:07:44
2 Lineth Chepkin, 22, Kenya, 1:07:46
3 Werknesh Kidane, Ethiopia 1:08:30
Men
1 Matthew Kisorio, 21, Kenya 1:00:15
2 Gebre Gebremarium, 26 Ethiopia 1:00:25
3 Abderrahim Gourmi, 34, Morocco 1:01:33
Philadelphia Men
1 Michael Didio, 27, 1:09:42
2 Brian Lang, 24, 1:10:38
3 Jason Theobald, 24, 1:11:38
Philadelphia Women
1 Emily McGregor, 25, 1:19:13
2 Heidi Bretscher, 23, 1:20:48
3 Meredith Lambert, 27, 1:21:42
Comments
were are the results no write up just the race. Although your write is nice. It would be nice to be able to go to a friendly website to just have what you need.
Have a good one.
Too bad about Hall. Can't wait to hear his take on what happened. Great pix!
Thanks for the report.
Thanks Natalie.
How was your first race back after having your second baby? Any tips? Beautiful day for a race - what a crowd.
why was Sandercock starting the race next to Hall?
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