Hospital Hill Run Smashes Records
Event record of more than 8,000 runners at the 39th edition, Kansas City's oldest run
By Beth Salinger
Posted Monday, 4 June, 2012
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USAKANSAS CITY, Mo. - (June 2, 2012) - A record Saturday field of more than 8,000 athletes witnessed an impressive display of speed and determination by winners Julius Koskei, of Kenya, who won the men's race in a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, 37 seconds, while Fort Collin's Colorado Lauren Kleppin won the women's race in 1:15:18. The wonderful weather resulted in many fast times this year at the 39th running of the Hospital Hill Run presented by Price Chopper, Kansas City's oldest run.
Second in the Men's division was Kenyan Benson Cheruiyot in 1:05:18 and third was countryman Nixon Kiplagat (1:05:27). Runner-up in the women's Open division was Brianne Nelson of Colorado Springs, CO in 1:15:21, just 3 seconds behind Kleppin and third was local athlete Kimi Reed of Overland Park, KS with a time of 1:17:18.
In the Hospital Hill 10K run, Matthew Schneider of Norfolk, NE completed the course in a time of 33:22 and local runner Brianna Westervelt of Kansas City, MO clocked 41:33.
The UMKC School of Medicine 5K winners were York Thomas of Omaha, NE and Anna O'Brien from Easton, MO in 16:13 and 19:35 respectively.
In addition to the competition, there was also philanthropy. The Kansas City community also benefited again from this year's race, as more than 1,000 runners, walkers and volunteers helped to raise money for one of the twenty Hospital Hill Run charity partners. These participants rose more than $100,000 as part of their fundraising efforts.
For the fifth consecutive year the Hospital Hill Run broke records and the 2012 event became the largest one yet. As a long-standing Kansas City event, first held in 1974 with a field of 99 runners, the event has kept up with the changing running community by altering the run's distance, adding premium items, and electronic timing. However, the focus has always been on the athlete and their experience as well as promoting healthy lifestyles.
For complete results and more information, go to: www.hospitalhillrun.com
