Rotich, Kusutani Win Maui Marathon
Posted Sunday, 18 September, 2005
Contact:
Patrice Malloy, Malloy Marketing Group (760) 635-2833
Bob Craver, Maui Marathon (808) 871-6441
KAANAPALI, Maui, HI (September 18, 2005) − It is now two for two for Jacob Rotich, the bespectacled Kenyan whose competitive consistency and winning smile have fast become a familiar and welcome sight at the Maui Marathon. The 35th edition of the Maui Marathon was held Sunday, September 18, 2005.
Jacob Rotich, 28, of Kenya won his second Maui Marathon in as many years and as many marathon starts. The Austin, Texas-based systems administrator, who holds an MBA, finished in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 58 seconds – 16 seconds faster than his 2004 race.
Sayuri "Lily" Kusutani, 46, of Japan dominated the women’s division, winning in 2:55:01. It was her first marathon victory in 20 starts and her first Maui Marathon.
Photo courtesy of MarathonFoto
In the men’s race a trio consisting of Rotich, Kevin Collins of Syracuse, NY, and Katushi Fuchiwaki of Japan ran together for the first 15 miles before Rotich and Collins started to surge, eventually dropping Fuchiwaki and leaving him to fend for himself on the oceanfront course.
Collins, 34, who was beginning to feel the effects of the rising tropical sun and late-stage marathon fatigue, dropped off pace at the 19-mile mark, slowed to a walk with only 3 miles to go and then dropped out of the race completely. Fuchiwaki held his 5:43 pace and finished in 2:29:56. Matt Holden, last year’s Maui Half Marathon champion and Maui resident, made a last-minute decision to enter the full marathon and placed 3rd in 2:48:29.
“It was nice to run with the experienced marathoners,” said Rotich. “We shared the pace.”
Collins, whose marathon best of 2:15:32 was set at the IAAF World Championship in Paris in 2003, was disappointed that he did not finish, especially because he had planned to donate any prize money to the Challenge Aspen, a charity which brought a group of runners to the race. “That was the worst part,” said Collins.
And what was the favorite part of the race for Rotich? “I really liked the hula dancers,” said Rotich. “I definitely want to come back next year.”
Kusutani, the women’s champion, was never seriously challenged and ran with a couple of male competitors who helped her stay on pace. “This was the best marathon for me,” said Kusutani. “The wind was at my back and it was fun to win.” A graduate student living in Honolulu, Kusutani has a marathon PR of 2:40:05, which she set at the Berlin Marathon in 2000. Yoko Yamazawa of Japan placed second in 3:06:41 and Miyuki Kaneko, also of Japan, finished third in 3:11:58. Last year’s champion, Jeannie Wokasch-Young, placed fifth in 3:17:38.
The second annual Maui Half Marathon was won by Roger Bush of Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1:14:49 and Kelly Bassett of Tempe, Arizona in 1:23:30.
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 Whalers Village in Kaanapaili. Over 3,200 runners from 14 countries and 48 states participated in this year's marathon and half marathon.
Complete race results can be found at www.mauimarathon.com.
Top finishers
Men
1. Jacob Rotich Kenya 2:27:58 $1,500
2. Katushi Fuchiwaki Japan 2:29:56 750
3. Matthew Holton Kula, HI 2:48:29 1,250* ($500 + $750)
4. Kazuhiko Yoshimura Japan 2:49:32
5. Chafik Azerki Edmonds, WA 2:52:15
6. Mitsuaki Kaneko Japan 2:53:43
7. Makoto Yamamoto Japan 2:54:22
8. Keish Doi Cupertino, CA 2:55:02
9. Michihito Muroi Australia 2:59:59
10.Takayoshi Inome Japan 3:02:53
*Includes $750 1st Maui resident prize
Women
1. Sayuri Kusutani Japan 2:55:01 $2,250* ($1,500 + $750)
2. Yoko Yamazawa Japan 3:06:41 750
3. Miyuki Kaneko Japan 3:11:58 500
4. Ayako Kaneko Japan 3:13:43
5. Jeannie Wokasch-Young Honolulu, HI 3:17:38
6. Tina-Louise Harris Port Coquitlam, CA 3:17:44
7. Jyunko Ukisu Honolulu, HI 3:19:52
8. Tomoko Hayashi Japan 3:21:11
9. Yukari Matuo Japan 3:21:54
10.Atsuko Sato Japan 3:22:03
* Includes first masters women $750 prize
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