Malakwen, Makunzi Win Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K
Record field includes First Daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush
Posted Monday, 3 April, 2006
RICHMOND, Va. - (April 1, 2006) - Kenyan Nicodemus Malakwen seized control early to easily win the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K on Saturday. The 24-year-old's time of 28 minutes, 31 seconds was the second-fastest winning time in the seven year history of the event, behind only Reuben Chebii's 28:07 in 2004. That was good enough to beat countryman Phillip Lagat by one minute and one second.
With thousands cheering her name, Richmond's Nancy Fabian gave it her all but was unable to win the Cingular Dash for the Cash. Starting at the 2.4-mile mark, her mission was to beat the elites to the finish line. Instead, it was Malakwen who crossed the line first to pick up the $2500 contest prize to go along with the $2000 purse to the race winner. At the post-race awards ceremony, Cingular surprised the crowd with the announcement that Fabian was being awarded $1000 in recognition of her outstanding effort.
In the women's 10K race, 23-year-old Kenyan Magdalene Makunzi took the $2000 first prize in a time of 32:33, just five seconds off the event record time set by Edna Kiplagat in 2003. The time was good for a one minute and one second victory over countrywoman Lineth Chepkurui.
A total of 20,119 participants registered for the race, over 3,600 more than last year's record field of 16,511. Among the participants were First Daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush, who both finished the 6.2 miles in under 55 minutes. The morning began with 1,223 children ages 6 through 12 participating in the First Market Mile Kids Race presented by Minute Maid. It is estimated that the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K raised more than $100,000 for the VCU Massey Cancer Center.
The 2007 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K will take place on Saturday, March 31. Registration is expected to open on December 26, 2006.
7th Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K
Richmond, VA, Saturday, April 1, 2006
MEN
1) Nicodemus Malakwen, KEN, 28:31, $4500
2) Phillip Lagat, KEN, 29:32, $1000
3) Laban Moiben, KEN, 29:45, $800
WOMEN
1) Magdalene Makunzi, KEN, 32:33, $2000
2) Lineth Chepkurui, KEN, 33:34, $1000
3) Eunice Chepkirui, KEN, 34:07, $800
Full results at: SportsBackers.org