40th Honolulu Marathon – Kipsang and Galimova sign autographs for fans – Hall of Famer Schabort gets 9th wheelchair win

Honolulu Marathon champions Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and Valentina Galimova of Russia returned to Kapiolani Park Monday morning to meet their fans, and Tanya Somera was first in line to get the winners' autographs for the second consecutive year.

"It's a great incentive to meet them," said Somera, of Pearl City, Oahu, who ran her fifth Honolulu Marathon on Sunday and has obtained the winners' autographs each year. "It inspires me to train harder every year." Kipsang and Galimova signed autographs and posed for photos under a tent for nearly two hours, signing souvenir cards showing them crossing the nearby finish line. They also signed running numbers, finisher certificates and T-shirts.

The fans, often 50 deep, lined up after picking up their certificates at an adjoining tent. Kipsang said he enjoyed meeting the runners, and lingered to sign more autographs even after race officials ended the session. Galimova, whose marathon victory was her first, said she enjoyed the autograph session but said she was looking forward to going to the beach. "I enjoyed meeting the people," she said. "I didn?t realize people loved this sport so much." Most of the autograph seekers were among the thousands of Japanese runners who completed in the race. Among them was Hayato Date, who also is a regular at the autograph sessions.

He brought with him 2004 and 2005 Honolulu Marathon posters, which had been signed by past winners. He proudly showed off the two new names. Date ran his 18th Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, and, asked if he would return next year, said, "Of course!" Galimova said "maybe," when asked if she would return, but her manager, Andrey Baranov, said, "Not maybe, definitely!"

Hall of Famer Schabort gets 9th wheelchair win

Krige Schabort won the Honolulu Marathon wheelchair race for the 9th time on Sunday. He crossed the finish line in one hour, 33 minutes and 15 seconds for his second consecutive victory. He broke away from seveal others at the six-mile park and rode alone the rest of the way. But he said being by himself longer was a challenge.

Weather conditions were good for the first six miles, Schabort said. "But on the other side of Diamond Head it was brutal," referring to brisk winds on the way to Hawaii Kai. The former South African soldier, who now lives in Atlanta, was inducted into the marathon's Hall of Fame in 2004, the only wheelchair athlete so honored. Masazumi Soejima of Japan, who set the course record of 1:30:32 in 2005, was second in 1:36:48, and Ryota Yoshida of Japan was third in 1:39:43.

Wakako Tsuchida of Japan won the women's race in 1:53:57.

Source: Honolulu Marathon Organisers