RUNNING USA – Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Draws Event Record 15,631 – By: Leigh Greenfelder – 33rd edition increases 200 percent since 2003; Bauer, Camp, Adams, Yates, Lagat, Dado race winners

CLEVELAND – (May 16, 2010) – The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon event saw participation increase nearly 200 percent since Rite Aid became the title sponsor – from 5,200 participants in 2003 to 15,631 in this year's 33rd running. Both the half and full marathon sold out for the first time in the event's 33-year history.

"Excellent weather and our runner-friendly course played a major part in increasing participation," said Executive Race Director Jack Staph. "We're happy that our marathon helps shine a positive light on the City of Cleveland. This was an amazing day for our city."

An event record 15,631 runners participated in the 2010 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K, including a 5K on Saturday that drew 794 runners, the We Run This City Program that had 550 school-aged participants from Cleveland Municipal School District and another 550-plus children who participated in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Red Nose Children's Run on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, Brandon Bauer, a 23-year-old runner from Ashland, OH, was the first to cross the marathon finish line in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 10 seconds. In dry and sunny conditions, he led the way with more than a half mile between him and the nearest group of runners for the majority of the race.

"I trained hard and tried to stay focused on keeping my pace," Bauer said. "It was a good course and I enjoyed running it."

Sergey Kostylen, 40, of Russia, was runner-up in 2:30:12, followed by 32-year-old Shaun Evans of Middle Grove, NY, at 2:32:41.

Twenty-four-year-old Nicole Camp of Sterling, OH, won the women's marathon in her debut, finishing in 2:55:38. Orrville, OH resident Beth Woodward, 34, finished second in 2:56:39 with Ashley Anderson, 25, of Denver, CO, third (2:57:10).

Nineteen-year-old Ian Adams from Mt. Berry, GA, finished first in the men's half-marathon in 1:12:56. Parma, OH resident Aaron Apathy, 24, took second in 1:14:29, followed by 19-year-old Michael Sexton, also of Mt. Berry, GA, who ran 1:16:12.

An Ohio runner led the women's half-marathon, with 32-year-old Mandy Yates of Medina clocking a 1:20:30. She was followed by Kathryn Long of Louisville, KY, who crossed in 1:21:40, while Courtney Cooper of Mt. Berry, GA took third (1:23:32).

Common for the 10K race, elite international runners dominated the top spots for the men's and women's events as Philip Lagat, 27, of Kenya and Firehiwot Dado, 26, of Ethiopia won the men's and women's races in 29:05 and 33:08, respectively, and each took home a $1500 purse.

Lagat was followed by countrymen Festus Langat, 25, who finished in 29:08 and Aron Rono, 27, in 29:12.

Yuliya Archipova, 25, of Kyrgyzstan placed second in the women's 10K with a 33:50, followed by 31-year-old Benita Willis of Australia, who finished in 34:19.

The 2010 race featured 13 neighborhood parties, 12 bands and 14 music stations along the course. The Tremont neighborhood, a new addition to this year's course was packed with parties, cheering sections, choirs and other festivities. The finish line area, which featured live bands, a beer garden, massage tents and a meet and greet with Cleveland Brown's first round draft pick, Joe Haden – was overflowing with family and friends of runners enjoying a spot on the grass in Mall B and Mall C.

Registration is open for the 2011 race, scheduled for Sunday, May 15, 2011.

33rd Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon
Cleveland, OH, Sunday, May 16, 2010

MEN
1) Brandon Bauer (OH), 2:27:10, $1000
2) Sergey Kostylen, 40, RUS, 2:30:12, $500
3) Shaun Evans (NY), 2:32:41, $300

WOMEN
1) Nicole Camp (OH), 2:55:38, $1000
2) Beth Woodward (OH), 2:56:39, $500
3) Ashley Anderson (CO), 2:57:10, $300

33rd Rite Aid Cleveland 10K
MEN
1) Philip Lagat (KEN), 29:05, $1500
2) Festus Langat (KEN), 29:08, $750
3) Aron Rono (KEN), 29:12, $500

WOMEN
1) Firehiwot Dado (ETH), 33:08, $1500
2) Yuliya Archipova (KGZ), 33:50, $750
3) Benita Willis (AUS), 34:19, $500

Complete results and more at: www.clevelandmarathon.com

RUNNING USA