America's Finest City Half Marathon

San Diego, CA, August 19, 2001

America's Finiest City Half Marathon.

Close Men's Finish, Two Women's Course Records Highlight America's Finest City Half Marathon

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - (August 19, 2001) - Today over 5,903 runners from 46 states and 15 foreign countries took part in the 24th Annual America's Finest City Half Marathon. An additional 833 participated in the accompanying 5K in Balboa Park, setting an event record of 6,736 entrants.

The scenic Half Marathon route took the runners from the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma, along San Diego Bay, through downtown and ended in front of the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. The race was run under overcast skies, with temperatures ranging from 65 at the start, to 68 at the finish, with 90% humidity.

Fastest over the 13.1-mile course was Wilson Onsare of Kenya, who after running virtually side by side for 11 miles with countryman and training partner Gabriel Muchiri, outkicked him over the final 75 yards. Onsare finished in 1:02:45, with Muchiri 2 seconds behind in 1:02:47. These were the second and third fastest times ever run on the AFC course, behind Peter Githuka's course record of 1:02:24 set last year.

Margaret Okayo of Kenya, who was in San Diego for training, was the class of the women's field in setting a new course record of 1:10:37, besting the 1:10:44 of Christine Pomacu (ROM) set last year. Okayo's nearest pursuer was Luminita Talpos of Romania (1:12:16). Two-time Olympic marathon medalist Yuko Arimori finished fifth.

Another course record was set by Ramilia Burangulova of Russia, as she ran 1:14:45 to finish third overall. She smashed the year-old Masters record of 1:17:27 that had been set by countrywoman Marina Belyaeva. Both Okayo and Burangulova received $1,000 bonuses for their new records.

The event benefits the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, a private, non-profit cooperating association of the National Park Service. During its 24-year history, the America's Finest City Half Marathon has raised over $1.6 million for non-profit organizations.

The America's Finest City Half Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is produced by Neil Finn Sports Management, Inc.

The AFC Half Marathon Presenting Sponsor is Southwest Airlines. Gold Sponsors are The Home Depot, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, and the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club.

MEN
 1. Wilson Onsare (KEN)              1:02:45 $1200
 2. Gabriel Muchiri (KEN)            1:02:47 $ 800
 3. Mbarak Hussein (KEN)             1:04:30 $ 500
 4. Hezron Otwori (KEN)              1:05:17 $ 300
 5. Daniel Kihara (KEN)              1:05:57 $ 200
 6. Paul Amey (CA)                   1:06:03 2 SWA Tkts (1st SD Cty)
 7. Jonathan Ndambuki (KEN)          1:06:17
 8. Jacob Kirwa (KEN)                1:06:27
 9. Gideon Mutisya (KEN)             1:07:11
10. Filomeno Apodaca (NM)            1:07:58

MASTERS MEN (40+)
 1. Sammy Ngatia (KEN) 40+           1:11:33 2 SWA Tkts
 2. Farley Simon (HI) 40+            1:11:57 $ 100
 3. Jim Hage (MD) 40+                1:12:49 $  50

WOMEN
 1. Margaret Okayo (KEN)             1:10:37 CR  $2200
 2. Luminita Talpos (ROM)            1:12:16 $ 800
 3. Ramilia Burangulova (RUS) 40+    1:14:45 CR  $1500 + 2 SWA Tkts
 4. Jennifer Derego (CA)             1:16:57 NCAA
 5. Yuko Arimori (JPN)               1:16:59 $ 300
 6. Tamara Lave (CA)                 1:17:38 $ 200 + 2 SWA Tkts (1st SD Cty)
 7. Hiroko Nomura (JPN)              1:18:02
 8. Mary Knisely (IL) 40+            1:18:40 $ 100
 9. Machelle Cochran (TX)            1:21:14
10. Alice Murithi (KEN)              1:21:32

MASTERS WOMEN (40+)
 1. Ramilia Burangulova (RUS) 40+    1:14:45 CR  $1500 + 2 SWA Tkts
 2. Mary Knisely (IL) 40+            1:18:40 $ 100
 3. Ima Goez (CA) 40+                1:26:15 $  50

The date of the 25th Annual America's Finest City Half Marathon is August 18, 2002.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services
USATF Road Running Information Center
5522 Camino Cerralvo, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
http://www.usaldr.org
http://www.runningusa.org