Bekana, Kiros Win Sprint Finishes at 24th Carlsbad 5000 – Famiglietti runs #3 U.S. all-time 5K, misses U.S. road record by 4 seconds

CARLSBAD, Calif. – (April 5, 2009) – On a day featuring warm temperatures, blue skies and a slight breeze, Daba Bekana won the 24th Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday afternoon as Ethiopian men finished 1-2-3 at the world's fastest 5K road race. Aheza Kiros of Ethiopia won the women's race, edging out 2008 U.S. Olympian Shannon Rowbury.

Bekana made his move with 300 meters remaining, outsprinting countryman Abreham Cherkos to the line, but both received times of 13 minutes, 19 seconds, while defending champion Maregu Zewdie clocked a 13:24 to complete the Ethiopian sweep. Cherkos competed in last year's Olympic Games in Beijing, finishing fifth in the 5000 meters.

"The race was good today and I'm happy I won," said Bekana who earned $5000. "This is my first 5K road race, I was just trying to compete and stay with the leaders."

American Anthony Famiglietti just missed Marc Davis' 13-year-old U.S. record (13:24) set at Carlsbad, finishing in sixth place overall in 13:28, the #3 U.S. all-time performance on record standard courses.

"It was just too little too late over the last 600 meters," said Famiglietti, a U.S. Olympian competing for the first time in Carlsbad. "This is a fun place to race and the aggressive world class field was one of a kind. Now that I know the course I'll have a better shot at the record next year. It was a good experience overall and a good start to the outdoor track season."

In the women's race, Kiros used a final kick to earn first place over Rowbury, by 3 seconds with a time of 15:38. The Ethiopian started to make her move at the final turn and was able to keep a slim lead to the finish line on Carlsbad Village Drive.

"I was confident I could hold her off," said Kiros, 25, on the final sprint to the finish line.

Kiros and Rowbury were stride-for-stride over the last 200 meters, but Kiros had more speed in the end.

"It was a sunny day and the crowd was awesome," said Rowbury, the #2 U.S. female miler all-time, who will race next in Berkeley, Calif. on April 25.

The 24th Carlsbad, known for its 16 world record legacy and beautiful seaside course, kicked off the morning with the Men's Masters (40+) race at 7:05am – won by Christian Cushing-Murray. Throughout the two-day event, fans and families mingled between the Expo, live bands and beer garden, as 12,000 runners, junior races and wheelchairs completed the 5K distance and celebrated their accomplishments in style.

The Carlsbad 5000 will celebrate its silver 25th edition on Sunday, April 11, 2010.

24th Carlsbad 5000
Carlsbad, CA, Sunday, April 5, 2009

MEN
1) Daba Bekana (ETH), 13:19, $5000
2) Abreham Cherkos (ETH), 13:19, $3500
3) Maregu Zewdie (ETH), 13:24, $2000
4) Ali Abdosh (ETH), 13:25, $1000
5) Collis Birmingham (AUS), 13:27, $800
6) Anthony Famiglietti (USA / NY), 13:28, $700
7) Ibrahim Jeilen (ETH), 13:30, $500
8) Alistair Cragg (IRL), 13:36, $400
9) Haron Lagat (KEN), 13:38, $300
10) Scott Bauhs (USA / CA), 13:56, $200

MASTERS MEN 40+
1) Christian Cushing-Murray, 41, Santa Ana, CA, 14:55, $1000
2) Alejandro Salvador, 42, Newport Beach, CA, 14:57, $500
3) Simon Gutierrez, 42, Alamosa, CO, 14:58, $200

WOMEN
1) Aheza Kiros (ETH), 15:38, $5000
2) Shannon Rowbury (USA / CA), 15:41, $3500
3) Lara Tamsett (AUS), 15:42, $2000
4) Katie McGregor (USA / MN), 15:58, $1000
5) Jane Kibii (KEN), 16:04, $800
6) Malindi Elmore (CAN), 16:07, $700
7) Christin Wurth-Thomas (USA / AR), 16:09, $500
8) Desiree Davila (USA / MI), 16:15, $400
9) Lisa Bloome (SWE), 16:29,$300
10) Diane Nukuri (BDI), 16:49, $200

MASTERS WOMEN 40+
1) Sylvia Mosqueda, 42, Los Angeles, CA, 16:56, $1000
2) Tania Fischer, 43, Santa Monica, CA, 17:18, $500
3) Patty Murray-Albo, 43, Boulder, CO, 17:34, $200

Complete results, race photos and more at: Carlsbad5000.com

Dan Cruz, Elite Racing