Koros, Rittenhouse Win Road Runner Akron Marathon
Folk, Tate take inaugural half-marathon titles; masters race records in marathon; event record participation

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Posted Monday, 1 October, 2007

From Leigh Greenfelder

AKRON, Ohio - (September 29, 2007) - The 5th Road Runner Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Chase Team Relays exceeded organizers expectations Saturday, as an event record 7,820 runners converged on downtown Akron to run past the city's neighborhoods, landmarks and cheering fans on a crisp, sunny autumn morning.

This year's marathon produced two race records. John Piggot sailed into first place for the second consecutive year in the men's Masters division as the 42-year-old runner from Williamsburg, Va. finished in 2 hours, 35 minutes, 58 seconds, beating his 2:37:31 from last year.

The women's Masters marathon winner also set a record of her own Saturday when Russian Elena Paramonova, 45, now of Atlanta, finished in 2:56:43, second overall.

While Joshua Koros, a native Kenyan from Byron Center, Mich., was first to break the marathon finish line tape in 2:28:05, 18-year-old former Woodridge High School cross country standout David Petrak gave 25-year-old Koros a run for his money along the final stretch of the race. Petrak, of Cuyahoga Falls, finished second in 2:28:45; his twin brother Daniel finished 6th, seven minutes back.

In the women's race, despite cramping calf muscles in the final mile, Melissa Rittenhouse, 31, of Wadsworth, won handily in 2:52:31. Sarah Plaxton, 39, of Highland, Mich. was third in 2:59:50.

For the first time, the Brouse Cup was presented to the winners of the marathon in both the Open and Masters divisions.

In the inaugural half-marathon, Matthew Folk, 31, of Canfield and Akron's Colleen Tate, 28, were the clear champions in 1:09:47 and 1:27:47, respectively.

The 1K Kids Fun Run drew 1,490 children 14 and under to run for free from Spaghetti Warehouse to Lock 3 as part of the day's events.

The Road Runner Akron Marathon started near the National Inventors Hall of Fame and concluded in Olympic fashion inside the Canal Park Stadium in downtown Akron. The event is organized by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, a non-profit group that is dedicated to promoting health and fitness.

5th Road Runner Akron Marathon
Akron, OH, Saturday, September 29, 2007

MEN
1) Joshua Koros (KEN), 2:28:05, $2000
2) David Petrak, 18, (USA / OH), 2:28:45, $1000
3) Jerome Recker (USA / MI), 2:28:55, $500

WOMEN
1) Melissa Rittenhouse (USA / OH), 2:52:31, $2000
2) Elena Paramonova, 45, RUS, 2:56:43, $2000
3) Sarah Plaxton (USA / OH), 2:59:50, $500

MASTERS (40+)
1) John Piggot, 42, VA, 2:35:58, $1000

1) See above

Inaugural Road Runner Akron Half Marathon

1) Matthew Folk (USA / OH), 1:09:47

1) Colleen Tate (USA / OH), 1:27:47

Complete results at: www.AkronMarathon.org

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