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With the win, Sambu became the first man to repeat as champion since Gilbert Okari won his third straight in 2006.
“To me, really, it's very important,” said Sambu. “It means a lot to me to win twice in a row.” Nukuri, 30, who lives and trains in Flagstaff, AZ, won in 36:47, with Sara Hall, 32, also of Flagstaff, finishing as runner-up and first American in 37:10. Third was Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia in 37:26.
The winners each pocketed $8,000, with Sambu taking home the $5,000 countdown bonus for breaking the tape a rounded-up three seconds before the scoreboard clock, which started the moment Nukuri hit the finish line and counted down a 4:28 gap, established by averaging the difference between the winning men’s and women’s times from the past 10 years.
“He earned it,” said Nukuri of the bonus, which went to her close friend. “I just saw him crossing the line; when he came downhill they were flying. I was barely moving it was so hot.”
Defending their wheelchair titles were Tatyana McFadden, 26, of Clarksville, MD, in 26:27, and James Senbeta, 28, of Champaign, IL, in 24:32.
Meb Keflezighi, the 2014 Boston Marathon winner who turned 40 on May 5, won the master’s division in 34:01, finishing 10th overall, while Kara Haas, 44, of Chelmsford, MA, won the women’s master’s crown in 44:14—22 seconds ahead of Joan Samuelson, who at the age of 58 placed second in 44:36.
For more information on the 43rd running of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race, please visit our website at www.falmouthroadrace.com; our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/falmouthroadrace; our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/falmouthrr, and our Instagram at www.instagram.com/falmouthroadrace.
About Falmouth Road Race
The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.
