Kiprono, Chepkurui Win Inaugural Run Gloucester! 7 Mile
More than 1,000 runners experience scenic Cape Ann

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By Jason Wolfe
Posted Monday, 23 August, 2010

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

GLOUCESTER, Mass. - (August 22, 2010) - A pair of Kenyans, Alan Kiprono and Lineth Chepkurui, won the inaugural Run Gloucester! 7 Mile Road Race on Sunday morning along scenic Cape Ann in Gloucester. Kiprono, 20, who finished second at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, two weeks ago, broke the tape first in 32 minutes, 54 seconds to take the men's title. In the women's division, Chepkurui, 22, winner of the Beach to Beacon and Peachtree 10K already this summer, returned to her winning ways with a 37:23. She was runner-up at the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race last weekend.

The two world class athletes were among a field of more than 1,000 runners who took part in the first-time race, which began and ended at the famous Fisherman's Memorial statue on the historic Gloucester waterfront. The course took runners through downtown Gloucester and around Cape Ann along one of New England's most picturesque seascapes, including nearly five miles of often breathtaking ocean views.

Kiprono, running his first races on U.S. soil this month, collected $1500 for winning the men's race, as part of a $5000 prize purse supplied by Saucony. Second place went to Kemsa Mergersa, 24, of Ethiopia (33:51) and Fikadu Lemma, 26, of Ethiopia (34:27) placed third. The first American was Nate Jenkins, 29, of Andover, Mass., (34:32), who finished fourth. James Koskei, 41, of Kenya, one of the world's top Masters runners, was sixth (35:27).

In the women's division, Chepkurui, who finished 10th overall, also received $1500 for winning, while Salome Kosgei, 29, of Kenya (39:25) took second and Caroline Bjune, 36, of Andover, Mass. (42:16) placed third and also was the first U.S. woman finisher.

While the elite athletes topped the field, Run Gloucester also drew a top-notch contingent of Cape Ann runners who likely savored the overcast skies that made for perfect running conditions. Saucony also awarded shoe gift certificates to all age group winners.

Among the Cape Ann runners, Matt Curran, 53, of Gloucester (41:26) topped the men's field, while Layne Alves, 30, of Rockport (44:58) was the first local woman. As Cape Ann's top finishers, they were presented the first Austin Connors Jr., Cup, a tribute to the late longtime owner of Connors Pharmacy, who also was an avid part of the local running scene.

Race organizers anticipate the Run Gloucester race on Cape Ann eventually growing to become the third leg in a series of major coastal New England road races each August, joining the Beach to Beacon in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and the Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod. The event was organized by Dave McGillivray, race director of the BAA Boston Marathon, and his team at DMSE Sports, Inc.

"It's great to get this first one under our belts," said McGillivray, who also directs the Beach to Beacon race. "We saw the potential for this race today. The course itself is stunning, the community support was outstanding, and we couldn't ask for better sponsorship. Just flawless. There's also a strong running culture in this area, which was on display today. Our goal is to keep building this thing because we've got something special here."

Proceeds from the race benefitted the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association (GFAA) and DMSE's Children Fitness Foundation. The GFAA raises funds for Gloucester High School student-athletes, sports programs and facilities, and is a key supporter of the renovation of Gloucester High's Newell Stadium.

The GFAA provided and coordinated the more than 60 volunteers on Sunday who staffed the race's water stations and handled other duties at the start and finish line.

A total of 971 runners registered for the seven mile run and an additional 75 children signed up for the kid's run portion of the race. Also, at the start line before Sunday's race, McGillivray presented Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk with a framed bib #1. Kirk announced that she is committed to running next year's race, set for Sunday, August 21, 2011.

Inaugural Run Gloucester! 7 Mile
Gloucester, MA, Sunday, August 22, 2010

MEN
1) Alan Kiprono (KEN), 32:54, $1500
2) Kemsa Mergersa (ETH), 33:51, $750
3) Fikadu Lemma, (ETH), 34:27, $250

WOMEN
1) Lineth Chepkurui (KEN), 37:23, $1500
2) Salome Kosgei (KEN), 39:25, $750
3) Caroline Bjune (USA / MA), 42:16, $250

Complete results and more at: www.rungloucester.com