Abdallah, Seyiya Win 2002 Maui Marathon
KAANAPALI, MAUI, HI (September 22, 2002) - Even in Maui, you just never know who might show up.. That thought must have been on defending Maui Marathon champion Greg Wennenborg's mind when last-minute entry Kalid Abdallah sailed by him at the three-mile mark dethroning the 2000 and 2001 champion in the process to win the 32nd Maui Marathon.

Kalid Abdallah wins in 2:19:50  E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: Full Results Photo album Home Page

Posted Monday, 23 September, 2002

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

Abdallah, Seyiya Win 2002 Maui Marathon

KAANAPALI, MAUI, HI (September 22, 2002) - Even in Maui, you just never know who might show up.. That thought must have been on defending Maui Marathon champion Greg Wennenborg's mind when last-minute entry Kalid Abdallah sailed by him at the three-mile mark dethroning the 2000 and 2001 champion in the process to win the 32nd Maui Marathon.

Abdallah's time of 2:19:50 was just 28 seconds shy of the course record (2:19:22) set by Eddy Hellebuyck in 1999. A Somalian native now living in Oakland, California, Abdallah had not specifically trained for the 26.2-mile marathon distance or the tropical 82 degree race-day heat. In fact, Abdallah's longest training run this year has been a fleeting 13-miler. Aaron Pierson, Abdallah's training partner and himself a Maui Marathon winner (1998), persuaded the 23-year old student to enter the race. "I was hurting the last two miles," said Abadallah. "but I am happy now."

Wenneborg of Tucson, AZ finished second in a time of 2:27:41 - fourteen seconds faster than his 2001 winning time of 2:27:55. James Sheremeta of La Jolla, CA finished third in 2:33:11.

The women's race was dominated by runners named Akiko. Akiko Sekiya of Japan won the women's division in a time of 2:57:39 and Akiko Kobayashi, also of Japan, took second in 3:05:52. Competing in just her second marathon, Sekiya, led wire-to-wire for the win. Stephanie Wennenborg, wife of the men's second-place finisher, finished third in 3:13:42.

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 1,793 runners from 17 countries and 44 states participated in this year's event. Complete race results can be found at www.mauimarathon.com.

Top finishers:

Men: 1 Kalid Abdallah Oakland, CA 2:19:50
2 Greg Wenneborg , Tucson, AZ 2:27:41
3 James Sheremeta La Jolla, CA 2:33:11
4 Roger Busch Puunene, HI 2:38:13
5 Tadano Tanaka Japan 2:41:19
6 Erol Ackdoe Paia, HI 2:50:14
7 Tim Beneke Lakewood, CO 2:53:10
8 Jason Thorp Hilo, HI 2:54:17
9 Michael Weiss Oldsmar, FL 2:54:43
10 Shuichi Mizuno Japan 2:55:45 11

Women: 1Akiko Sekiya Japan 2:57:39
2 Akiko Kobayashi Japan 3:05:52
3 Stephanie Wenneborg Tucson AZ 3:13:42
4 Amy Wilson Santa Monica CA 3:15:15
5 Angie Miyashiro Hilo HI 3:15:43
6 Trish Powell Mill Valley CA 3:19:45
7 Rie Hasegawa Japan 3:20:10
8 Stephanie McLaughlin Mililani HI 3:22:29
9 Rose Pals Surrey Canada 3:24:49
10 Pam Hall Las Vegas NV 3:25:56

Wheelchair: 1 Randy Caddell Kailua-Kona HI 1:50:43
2 Ron Amundson Hilo HI 2:01:33
3 Neal Snarr Wailuku HI 2:50:20

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