Matui Wins "Battle of the Sexes" at the 10th Country Music Marathon
Russia's Tatiana Pushkareva takes the women's title

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By Dan Cruz
Posted Tuesday, 28 April, 2009

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (April 25, 2009) - Amos Matui of Kenya won the Country Music Marathon on Saturday with a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes, 41 seconds and he also won the "Battle of the Sexes" event, earning a $10,000 bonus on top of the $10,000 winner's prize.

"The race was hard. At mile 20, I was feeling good and knew I had a chance to win," said Matui, 33, winner of the 2005 Singapore Marathon. "I like Nashville because of the music and entertainment, it was very motivating."

Alphonce Yatich Kibor led a majority of the race, pulling away from the lead pack after the 10K mark with a series of sub-5:00 minute miles, running a 4:36 split at mile 9. Kipor, running a 1:04:51 split for the half, caught the women's lead pack of three runners, just after the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park at mile 19.5. Matui took the lead at the 25.5-mile mark and held on for the victory.

Women's winner Tatiana Pushkareva of Russia ran 2:36:44. The women's race started out at a conservative tempo running the first two miles on pace to finish in 2 hours, 40 minutes. The lead pack of five turned to four, when American Michelle Suszek fell back after mile 4.

The lead group ran the fastest mile of the day in 5:23 at mile 11 and hit the halfway split at 1:17:01, staying together through mile 16. Pushkareva and Yulya Arhipova ran side-by-side through mile 23, when Pushkareva, fourth in last year's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, gradually pulled away to take the race.

Half-marathon winners were Ben Payne of Columbus, Miss. in 1:10:42 and Christina Roberto of New Haven, Conn. in 1:23:15.

"This was more of a spectacle than a race; everyone was going crazy with the bands. It was a little different than atmosphere than the NCAA," said Andrew Press, who ran cross-country at the University of Tennessee and was the top American finisher. "The second half caught up with me, but I'm pleased with my performance at my first marathon."

Other notable participants at the 10th edition included Grammy nominated musician Jason Mraz, Radio Host Dave Ramsey and NBC's "The Biggest Loser" contestants Blaine Cotter and Dane Patterson.

The 11th Country Music Marathon is set for Saturday, April 24, 2010.

10th Country Music Marathon
Nashville, TN, Saturday, April 25, 2009

MEN
1) Amos Matui (KEN), 2:13:41, $20,000
2) Alphonce Yatich Kibor (KEN), 2:14:53, $5000
3) Noah Tatem (KEN), 2:14:54, $3000
4) Stephen Chemlany (KEN), 2:16:14, $1500
5) William Naranjo (COL), 2:16:32, $1000

WOMEN
1) Tatiana Pushkareva (RUS), 2:36:44, $10,000
2) Yuliya Arhipova (KGZ), 2:38:29, $5000
3) Albina Gallyamova, 44, RUS, 2:40:39, $3000
4) Irina Safarova (RUS), 2:42:38, $1500
5) Gisela Olalde (MEX), 2:47:12, $1000

Complete results at: www.CMMarathon.com