Championship Season Underway

Phoenix Arizona: October 25, 2008



Championship Season Underway Phoenix, Arizona: October 25, 2008 The first of the USATF Arizona Championship races for the 2008-2009 season was held at South Mountain Park as the half marathon was contested here Saturday. The fortieth edition of the Phoenix YMCA Half Marathon saw a 23% increase in the number of participants over last year as the race held the USATF state championship for the third year in a row. In addition to the increase in racers, the quality of the field moved up a notch in attracting a fast field to test their fitness on a course that shows no forgiveness for those that go out too fast. The meddle of all racers is tested as the final two miles is a long steady climb requiring a well paced race and mental toughness. Coming out on top in the women's race was home town favorite and 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier Sally Meyerhoff as she cruised through the finish in an excellent time of 1:18:14. Finishing over four minutes behind with a comfortable cushion over third place was Cassid Bando; 1:22:22. Rachel Marion Smith rounded out the top three lady finishers with a time of 1:35:47. In the men's race, David Dailey broke away from David Allison to win in a time of 1:14:01. Allison's time of 1:16:38 put him across the line by more than a minute over third place finisher, Shane Logan who travelled the 13.1 miles in 1:17:47. The Long Distance Committee for USATF sponsored the medals for this year's Phoenix YMCA as they celebrated forty consecutive years of racing. In addition to the standard five year age group awards, Championship medals were awarded ten deep for overall and five deep for master's racers.

Award winners were as follows:
Overall MenOverall Women
1. David Dailey 1:14:01 1. Sally Meyerhoff 1:18:14
2. David Allison 1:16:38 2. Cassid Bando 1:22:22
3. Shane Logan 1:17:47 3. Rachel Marion Smith 1:35:47
4. Dameon Hahn 1:18:43 4. Terri Antonino 1:36:18
5. Justin Royer 1:18:55 5. Jody Hanson 1:37:31
6. Ronnie Buchanan 1:19:01 6. Jodi McNeil 1:38:25
7. Mario Schober 1:19:38 7. Kimberly Grout 1:38:43
9. Jose Lugo 1:19:48 9. Kerrie Brouxvoort 1:42:55
10. Gabe Garcia 1:19:49 10. Karla Averill 1:43:03
Master's MenMaster's Women
1. Neil Young 1:19:42 1. Jodi McNeil 1:38:25
2. Darrin Eisman 1:23:36 2. Karla Averill 1:43:03
3. John Hetrick 1:26:06 3. Kay Guidera 1:44:51
4. Lachen Fatimi 1:26:59 4. Carol Bennett 1:45:45
5. Thomas LaBlonde 1:27:33 5. Angela Ambrose 1:48:16

Full results can be viewed at www.arizonarunningeventsco.com
If you find that you won a championship award for overall, master's or age division and did not stay for the award ceremony please contact Julia Whitt at the Phoenix YMCA.

Return to Top , LDR Home, or Home