Abdalah, Sekiya Repeat Victories at 33rd Maui Marathon
KAANAPALI, Maui, HI (September 21, 2003) - Kalid Abdalah of Somalia and Akiko Sekiya of Japan defended their 2002 titles in a convincing display of dominance at the 2003 Maui Marathon. Abdalah covered the scenic seaside course in 2:21:00 and Sekiya cruised to victory in 2:58:37.

Kalid Abdalah sets a cracking pace on his way to a repeat victory  E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: > Full Results > Photo Album > Maui Marathon Home Page > Maui Tacos 5K > Front St. Mile

Posted Sunday, 21 September, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrice Malloy
Malloy Marketing Group
(760) 519-4871
Bob Craver, Race Director
(808) 244-7725

KAANAPALI, Maui, HI (September 21, 2003) - Kalid Abdalah of Somalia and Akiko Sekiya of Japan defended their 2002 titles in a convincing display of dominance at the 2003 Maui Marathon. Abdalah covered the scenic seaside course in 2:21:00 and Sekiya cruised to victory in 2:58:37.

Not everybody in paradise was smiling, however. Twenty-three-year-old champion Abdalah, who averaged a 5:22 minute per-mile pace and won his second-ever marathon by a 17-minute margin, may have been the most despondent finisher in the race. "My goal today was to set a new course record," said Abdalah. "I am very disappointed." Clocking in at 1:09:20 at the half-marathon mark, the Oakland, California-based student was on pace to break the course record of 2:19:22 set in 1999 by Eddy Hellebuyck. However, increasing heat from the rising sun and the sheer demands of the marathon distance took their toll on the relative novice. "I had no energy during the last three miles of the race," said Abdalah, who won last year's race, his marathon debut, in 2:19: 50 and just 28 seconds shy of the course record. James Sheremeta, 39, of La Jolla, CA moved up a notch from last year to place second in a time of 2:38:03. Sheremeta placed third in 2002 and fourth in 2000. Tadanao Tanaka of Japan was third in 2:50:24.

Pre-race doubts about her fitness level proved to be unfounded for defending women's champion, Akiko Sekiya, whose 2:58:37 finish victory was just 58 seconds slower than last year's performance. Sekiya injured her knee earlier this year during a training run and mentioned prior to the race that she was only "70 percent" healthy. "The injury affected my training but did not bother me during the race," said Sekiya through an interpreter during a post-race interview. Grand masters standout, Angie Miyashiro, 50, of Hilo, HI placed second women in 3:15:50. Peggy Nelson-Panzer of Aurora, CO finished third in 3:16:01.

Recognized as one of the most scenic marathons in the world, the point-to-point Maui Marathon course starts in Kahului and runs along the picturesque Pacific Ocean and through the historic whaling village of Lahaina before finishing in Whaler's Village in Kaanapaili. Over 1,700 runners from 17 countries and 45 states participated in this year's event. Complete race results can be found at www.mauimarathon.com.

Top finishers:

Men:
1 Kalid Abdalah, Somalia 2:21:00
2 James Sheremeta , La Jolla, CA 2:38:03
3 Tadanao Tanaka, Japan 2:50:24
4 Jason Thorp, Hilo, HI 2:50:56
5 Armand Rodriguez, Barcelona, Spain 2:51:27
6 Makoto Yamamoto, Japan 2:54:22
7 Joe Bowman, Dunwoody, GA 2:56:57
8 Hitoshi Nakayama, Japan 3:03:17
9 Hisao Ogawa, Japan 3:06:45
10 Al DeLaRoche, Colorado Springs, CO 3:07:10

Women:
1Akiko Sekiya Japan 2:58:37
2 Angie Miyashiro, Hilo, HI 3:15:50
3 Peggy Nelson-Panzer, Aurora, CO 3:16:01
4 Lindsey Finch, Menlo Park, CA 3:16:31
5 Cheryl Sheremeta, La Jolla, CA 3:16:59
6 Shoko Toshima, Japan, 3:18:44
7 Yumi Tokano, Japan, 3:19:33
8 Jeannie Wokasch, Honolulu, HI 3:21:50
9 Sara Clark, Lahaina, HI 3:22:35
10 Kazuko Endo, Japan, 3:22:58

Wheelchair:
1 Randy Caddell Kailua-Kona HI 1:53:47
2 Neal Snarr Wailuku HI 3:25:39
3 Kazuhiko Yamada, Japan, 4:04:10

# # #

Related info:
> Full Results

> Photo Album

> Maui Marathon Home Page

> Maui Tacos 5K

> Front St. Mile

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page