Munji Makes a Splash and Paramonova Takes a Second Win
A steady rain and temperature in the high 50s did not put a damper on the 19th running of the Sallie Mae 10K, a benefit for the D.C.- College Access Program. The top runners were going after $18,000 in cash awards (equal for males and females) up through age 80 and over.

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Posted Tuesday, 30 April, 2002

Washington, D.C. , April 28, 2002 - A steady rain and temperature in the high 50s did not put a damper on the 19th running of the Sallie Mae 10K, a benefit for the D.C.- College Access Program. The top runners were going after $18,000 in cash awards (equal for males and females) up through age 80 and over.

At a half mile into the race a well defined pack of 12 runners lead out with Kenya runners, Jared Segura, Benson Ogato, Paul Mbugua, Andrew Masai (2000 master winner 29:57 ), David Kipngetich along with Andre Williams, Darrell General and Andrey Kuznetsov (40+). The chase pack of six was 25 meters back.

Into the first mile, 4:57, the pack was testing each other out while using caution on the rain soaked roads. A couple of minutes later, Peter Sherry of Great Falls, Va., and Sgt. Rob Adams of the U.S. Marine Corps began to fall out of the pack. Darrell General of Mitchellville, Md., was the next to drop back.

Into the second mile, elapsed time 9:48 (4:51 split), the pace was slow as they were shoulder-to-shoulder. Near the rear of the pack was Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia and Andre' Williams (Georgetown Running Company).

After the second mile, Elena Paramonova of Russia, now living in Rockville, Md, was making a defense of her 2001 title (33:48). Less than a minute back was Casey Smith of Arlington, Va., and Alsion Holinka of Williamsburg, Va. The trailing masters were Maria Spinnler of Hagerstown, Md., and Lee DiPietro of Ruxton, Md., (finished the Boston Marathon in 2:55).

The pack of ten went through the third mile in 14:34 (split of 4:46) and half mile later Titus Munji of Kenya started to raise the stakes as the pace was picked up. Munji has a half-marathon PR of 1:00:27. The pack quickly began to fall apart and no one covered the move.

Into the fourth mile, 19:06 (a spilt of 4:22) Munji was in sole control and 25 meters back was Benson Ogato trying to reel in Munji. Ogato was the winner of Alexandria, Va., George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler last Sunday in 49:05. David Kipngetich was 25 meters off Ogato.

Munji showed no signs of slowing, rain or no rain as he splashed through the fifth mile in 23:40 (4:34 split). Ogato crossed in 23:52.

Munji cashed in on the $1,000 for first place in 29:30 followed by Ogato in second with 29:44 $700). Kipngetich was third in 29:53 ($450).

"The pace was to slow for me and I decided to push it a little bit and no one came with me. The rain did bother me a little", said Munji.

Along the fourth mile Kuznetsov had sight of Masai, the lead master. In the closing mile, Kuznetsov made the final move to collect first in 30:27 ($1,000) followed by Masai in 30:43 ($700). The third master was Paul Mbugua in 31:01 ($450).

"Near mile four I passed Masai, the top ranked master runner, I have never beat him before. I lost three days of running on my travel back from Moscow", said Kuznetsov.

Paramonova led from wire-to-wire to collect a second win in 34:09 along with the $1,000. The last consecutive year winner was Marianne Dickerson (1987 and 1988). Casey Smith collected second in 35:57 and Holinka was third in 36:15. Last year Holinka was third in 35:05.

"I only worried about my leg and I wanted to test it. Today after two miles I started to feel better. I always have respect for my competition, you never know in a 10K", said Paramonova through team manager, Konstantin Selinevich.

Maria Spinnler captured first master in 37:14 ($1,000) followed by DiPietro in second with 37:41. Janice Riley of Cary, NC was the third master in 38:32.

The top local finisher was Andre Williams in sixth place with 30:16 ($500). The second local finisher was Peter Sherry in 10th place in 31:05 ($300).

Hedy Marque of Alexandria, Va., age 84 was first in the 80 and over division in 1:10:37 ($75).

The wheelchair winner was Geoff Hopkins of Alexandria, Va.,, in 33:34 ($300).

The Marines defended the All-Male team title with an average time of 33:19 (R. Adams, F. Friedman, C. Walton, E. Holloway).

The Team Marine Connection won the All-Female title with an average time of 38:47 (J. Riley, P. Garbrecht, J. Uwins, L. Boyer).

For the fifth straight year, the Intercollegiate title went to John Hopkins SAIS with an average time of 49:37 (C. Rogers, M. Mayerchak, Y. Perez, S. Quinlan). The Sallie Mae Fund will make a donation of $1,000 to the school's general scholarship fund.

The Colonial Road Runners was first in the Mixed teams with an average time of 36:53 (M. Mann, A. Holinka, Ryan Kent, age 16, Lindsay Kent, age 11).

Full race results can be located at [URL=http://www.flrrt.com]http://www.flrrt.com[/URL]

Top Male Open

1 Titus Munji              22         29:30   Kenya                    $1000
2 Benson Ogato             21         29:44   Kenya                    $ 700
3 David Kipngetich         25         29:53   Kenya                    $ 450
4 Jared Segura             26         29:57   Kenya                    $ 200
5 Julius Gwako             28         30:08   Kenya                    $ 150
6 Daniel Courtney          24         32:06   Owings Mills, MD         $ 100


Top Open Female

1 Elena Paramonova         38         34:09   Russia                    $1000
2 Casey Smith              22         35:57   Arlington, VA             $ 700
3 Hilary Cairns            31         37:49   Washington, DC            $ 450
4 Sunny Newsome            25         38:46   Arlington, VA             $ 200
5 Jennifer Uwins           28         38:48   Emerald Island, NC        $ 150
6 Kristin McCann           30         39:33   Stafford, VA              $ 100