Lagat, Zemba Break Course Records at Hyde Park Blast 4 Mile
Women's field cashes in thanks to Olay Mile Bonus

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Posted Monday, 9 July, 2007

From Chad Sims

CINCINNATI - On Saturday, June 30, more than 4,000 participants took part in the 6th annual Hyde Park Blast which included the run / walk event in the morning as well as the post-race block party, criterium bike race and kid's fun run / bike race all happening that evening.

In the men's race, Henry Dennis's 2005 course record was broken by David Lagat from Kenya with his 18:55 for 4 miles. The lead pack took the first downhill miles very quickly and then settled in through the challenging Handasyde hill at mile 3. Matt Folk from Ohio kept close to Lagat and was runner-up in 19:12. Birhanu Wukaw from Ethiopia, Josh Ordway from the Columbus Running Company and Wes Seacat with Brooks / Louisville rounded out the top five - all under 20 minutes. Past overall winners Nick Cordes and TJ Lentz were joined by other top Ohio runners Eric Putnam, Jim Jurcevich and John Sence, all finishing close to the lead pack in just a few seconds over 20:00 to round out a strong field.

Lagat also picked up an extra $500 for chasing down John Zink who was chosen as this year's Clif Bar Chase runner. This runner is randomly selected each year and gets a handicapped head start in front of the elite field. The first runner to cross the finish line (Clif runner or elite) keeps the $500 bonus.

The women's field, which left five minutes before the men's professional and main field, also saw a course record fall. Mandi Zemba from Michigan ran 21:28 to break Lyndsi Benedict's 2006 course record and earned the same double cash award Benedict received last year. This included the overall prize money and the Olay Love the Skin You're In Mile Bonus, for being the first woman to reach the three mile mark. To qualify for the Olay bonus, the women also had to finish in the top five overall.

After taking the Olay bonus at mile 3, Zemba put down a great surge on Handasyde hill and did not look back. The women's field was extremely competitive this year with the top four all finishing under 22:00. It was very tight at the finish with Dayton's Ann Alyanak, 2nd place U.S. female at this year's Boston Marathon, edging Lyndsi Benedict at the line for third. Dayton was well represented with Tara and Kara Storage taking 2nd and 5th to round out the top five. The women's field also saw some international presence from Kenya and Ethiopia as well as a strong showing from the Brooks / Louisville team to round out the top 10.

6th Hyde Park Blast 4 Mile
Cincinnati, OH, Saturday June 30, 2007

MEN
1) David Lagat (KEN), 18:55*, $2000 (includes Clif Chase Bonus)
2) Matt Folk (USA / OH), 19:12, $750
3) Birhanu Wukaw (ETH), 19:29, $350
4) Josh Ordway (USA / OH), 19:29, $200
5) Wes Seacat (USA / KY), 19:51, $100
*Course record (previous record, 19:00, Henry Dennis, 2005)

WOMEN
1) Mandi Zemba (USA / MI), 21:28*, $1500
2) Tara Storage (USA / OH), 21:45, $750
3) Ann Alyanak (USA / OH), 21:58, $350
4) Lyndsi Benedict (USA / OH), 21:58, $200
5) Kara Storage (USA / OH), 22:03, $100
*Course record (previous record, 21:47, Lyndsi Benedict, 2006)

Olay Love the Skin You're In Mile Winners (first women to reach mile three receive an extra cash bonus):
1) Mandi Zemba, $1500
2) Tara Storage, $1200 (includes first Ohio Olay Mile Winner bonus)
3) Lyndsi Benedict, $400
4) Kara Storage, $300

Complete results at: www.HPBlast.com

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