Rotich, Kusutani Repeat Victories at the 36th Maui Marathon
By Patrice Malloy
Posted Sunday, 17 September, 2006
By Patrice Malloy
KAANAPALI, Maui, Hawaii (September 17, 2006) - Jacob Rotich of Kenya made a historic run on Maui, known as the Magic Isle, with a three-peat win at the 36th Maui Marathon held today, September 17, 2006.
His time of two hours, 33 minutes and 44 seconds was Rotich's third consecutive Maui Marathon win - a feat never accomplished at the event since its inaugural run in 1970.
In the women's division, defending champion Sayuri Kusutani, 47, of Japan also repeated a triumphant performance, winning in 3:05:12. Her efforts earned her a $2,250 payday - $1,500 for the win and $750 for first female masters finisher.
Strong trade winds along the marathon's 17-mile oceanfront course put the brakes on hopes for record performances on the scenic point-to-point course. The day's temperatures ranged from 72 degrees at the 5:30 am start to the low 80s three hours into the run.
"My goal was to improve on my time from the last two years," said Rotich. "But the head winds and heat slowed me down." He won the 2005 and 2004 competitions in 2:27:58 and 2:28:14, respectively. The Maui Marathon is the only marathon he has ever run.
Maui resident, Joe Alueta, was the runner-up finishing in 2:43:04. His second place $750 prize was augmented by a $750 bonus for placing first Maui male finisher.
Hailing from Kenya's runner-rich Rift Valley, Rotich, 29, now lives in Austin, Texas, where he works as a school systems administrator. Apparently enjoying life in the US, Rotich, who has a masters in business administration degree, occasionally uses a GPS device during his long training runs. "I would like to become an American citizen and compete in the Olympics," said Rotich.
Fast becoming a familiar face on the island, Rotich appears to be a fan of the Aloha spirit. "The people are always very cheerful and hospitable. I even got a drink of water at an aid station from the Mayor of Maui."
Rotich ran even splits, passing a couple of early contenders during the first half of the race before taking it to the streets alone.
Scott Lowe, 34, from Canton, Georgia, who holds a 2:27 marathon personal best, stayed with Rotich for the first 9 miles until severe blisters forced Lowe to resort to a walk-run routine to the finish line in the Kaanapali Resort. "I've never dropped out of a race," said Lowe, a former Marine, who refused a ride from a race support crew member who saw him walking. He finished in 3:10:15.
James Sheremeta, 42, who placed fourth in the event in 2000, third in 2002, and second in 2003, placed third and first masters runner. "Out of the four Maui Marathons I have run, this one had the most challenging conditions," said Sheremeta, who finished in 2:44:30.
Even in paradise, some of the best-laid plans can go awry. Kusutani, the women's champion, planned to run a conservative first half and then pick up the pace. "Easier said than done," said Kusutani, who started to feel the effects of the wind, heat and humidity. A graduate student living in Honolulu, Kusutani has a marathon PR of 2:40:05, which she set at the Berlin Marathon in 2000.
The third annual Maui Half Marathon was won by Josphat Boit of Kenya in 1:07:06. Boit and countryman Jonah Maiyo were on Maui to compete in the Front Street Mile in Lahaina on Saturday, September 16. Both men ran the half marathon as a training run. Stephanie Dickson of Smyrna, Georgia, won the women's division in 1:27:46.
The Maui Marathon course starts in Kahului and runs along the picturesque Pacific Ocean and through the historic whaling village of Lahaina before finishing in Whalers Village in Kaanapali.
The out-and-back half marathon course started at 5:30 am at the marathon and half marathon finish line in Kaanapali and followed the marathon's final 6.5 miles before returning to the finish chute.
Over 2,900 runners from 14 countries and 48 states participated in this year's marathon, half-marathon and Maui Tacos 5K.
36th Maui Marathon
Kaanapali, Maui, HI, Sunday, September 17, 2006
MEN
1) Jacob Rotich, Kenya, 2:33:44, $1500
2) Joe Alueta, Wailuku, HI, 2:43:04, $1500*
3) James Sheremeta, La Jolla, CA, 2:44:30, $1250**
* Includes $750 for 2nd male and $750 for 1st Maui resident prize
**Includes $500 for 3rd male and $750 for 1st masters male
WOMEN
1) Sayuri Kusutani, Japan, 3:05:12, $2250*
2) Noriko Murakami, Japan, 3:06:28, $750
3) Yoko Yamazawa, Japan, 3:10:35, $500
*Includes $1500 for first woman and $750 for first masters women
Complete race results can be found at: MauiMarathon.com
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