Athletics kicks off at Pan Am Games
By Vicky Oddi, USATF
Posted Sunday, 22 July, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO - On a hot and sunny day, the U.S. contingent in the women's marathon and women's and men's 20km race walks made a valiant effort at Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The day started off with the women's marathon as Christine Lundy (Bangor, Maine) took seventh finishing in 2 hours 51 minutes and 56 seconds. In only her second marathon ever, 2006 NCAA DII 10,000m champion Emily Mortensen (Alamosa, Colo.) finished eighth in 3:02:00.
The heat took its toll in the men's and women's race walks. On the men's side, Matthew Boyles (Dayton, Ohio) took fifth in 1:30:03, while 2004 Olympian John Nunn (Durango, Colo.) was seventh in 1:32:37. For the women, three-time U.S. champion Teresa Vaill (Pine Plains, N.Y.) withdrew due to injury and 2006 U.S. 10km race walk champion Jolene Moore (Northbrook, Ill.) was disqualified with two strikes for lost contact and one for a bent knee.
Competition resumes tomorrow, July 23, with the men's decathlon.
For more information and complete results, visit www.rio2007.org.br.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Christine Lundy, women's marathon - It was a really nice course. It was hot and humid, I went out ast what I thought was pretty conservative but I was wrong. I took it out too hard. There wasn't much of a pack, it was pretty strung out. I caught the Mexican girl and ran with her for a while. I started to feel the heat around 10k and the last 30k was a struggle. I wish I could have performed better for Team USA but I was happy with my race considering the conditions.
Emily Mortensen, women's marathon - I'm glad I finished my race today. This was a lot different that my first marathon. I'm glad I came though. I've learned so much from this experience and I've met so many wonderful people.
John Nunn, men's 20km race walk - I realized what happened (with my racing) this year and now I know how to fix it. I have no doubt that I will be a force to contend with in the 20km and 50km races at the Olympic Trials.
Matthew Boyles, men's 20km race walk - It (my race) was pretty good. I felt really good throughout until the last two laps. Now my legs really hurt.
Teresa Vaill, women's 20km race walk - There were seven of us in the lead pack and we were racing along at a pretty good pace but there was a lot elbowing in the pack. I was feeling pretty good, right where I wanted to be but I got elbowed so many times that my (left) shoulder started cramping and I just could not continue.
RESULTS
Women's marathon
1. Mariela Gonzalez, Cuba, 2:43:11
2. Marola Narloch, Brazil, 2:46:10
3. Sirlene Pinoh, Brazil, 2:47:36
7. Christine Lundy, USA, 2:51:56
8. Emily Mortensen, USA, 3:02:00
Women's 20km race walk
1. Cristina Lopez, El Salvador, 1:38:69
2. Mirian Ramon, Ecuador, 1:40:03
3.Coyote Sanchez, Mexico, 1:41:47
Teresa Vaill, USA, DNF
Jolene Moore, USA, DQ
Men's 20km race walk
1. Jefferson Perez, Ecuador, 1:22:08
2. Jamie Saquipay, Ecuador, 1:23:28
3. Baena Restrepo, Columbia, 1:24:61
5. Matt Boyles, USA, 1:30:03
7. Johon Nunn, USA, 1:32:37
Contact:
Vicky Oddi
Communications Coordinator
USA Track & Field
317-713-4670
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