Runners Rock the Roads of Sunny St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – (Feb. 10, 2013) – On a perfect Florida morning, the 2nd  Rock ‘n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon transformed the waterfront streets of St. Petersburg into a 13.1-mile community block party on Sunday, Feb. 10. With warmer running conditions than last year's chilly inaugural event, Jon Phillips from Brooklyn, New York, finished in first placeoverall with a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 23 seconds, while Canadian Natasha Yaremczuk took first place among the women in 1:20:03.

"This is my first half-marathon win," said Phillips, representing the New York Athletic Club and working for Brooks Running. "I was scheduled to work at the Brooks Cavalcade at the Health & Fitness Expo for this race and decided to run. I wanted to run around 75 minutes and be competitive, but I felt pretty confident around mile 5 that I would have a chance to win and I'll take it."

St. Pete native Andrew Chandler placed second in the men's half-marathon in 1:15:03, with John Davis from Melbourne, Fl. taking third place with a time of 1:17:26. Lisa Bentley from Clermont, Fl. ran in 1:21:02, landing her second place in the women's half-marathon. Heather Schulz from Orlando placed third with a time of 1:24:36.

"This was a good training race for me as I prepare for the Boston Marathon," said Yaremczuk, a former member of Canada's national triathlon team. "I felt strong today andwanted to maintain a 6 minute pace. Sometimes I have a hurdle around mile 7, but I felt in control today. The Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series is awesome because when you're pushing yourself hard it's nice to hear bands and people cheering you along every mile."

With Mayor Bill Foster on hand to welcome runners to St. Pete, both the half-marathon and accompanying ‘mini' started at Tropicana Field. Participants ran alongside Central Avenue's unique downtown shops and restaurants, past the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort. Runners finished along the beautiful waterfront at North Shore Park, where Sean Kingston headlined the finish line concert, performing hischart-topping hits such as "Beautiful Girls" and "Fire Burning." After completing the 13.1-mile course, Amy Schumaker and Terry Pellam from northwest Ohio added to the day's accomplishments by marrying on the beach next to the finish line.

"We couldn't have had better running conditions today with the perfect St. Pete weather," said Roberto Martinez,winner of the Bachelorette Season 6 who completed his first half-marathon today in 2:03:33. "I started off slow, but after mile 3, I was on cruise control and felt great. I grew up in Tampa so it was nice to have some of my family and friends support me today."

The 2014 Rock ‘n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, February 9.

 

2nd Rock ‘n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon

St. Petersburg, FL, Sunday, February 10, 2013

MEN

1) Jon Phillips, 28, Brooklyn, NY, 1:14:23

2) Andrew Chandler, 39, St. Petersburg, FL, 1:15:04

3) John Davis, 35, Melbourne, FL, 1:17:26

 

WOMEN

1) Natasha Yaremczuk, 32, Ontario, Canada, 1:20:03

2) Lisa Bentley, 44, Clermont, FL, 1:21:02

3) Heather Schulz, 38, Orlando, FL 1:24:36

 

Source: Competitor Group Date: February 10, 2013

 

 For complete results, photos and more, visit: runrocknroll.competitor.com/st-petersburg