(Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved)By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (Janaury 17, 2010) Teshome Gelana and defending women’s champion Teyba Erkesso led an Ethiopian sweep of the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon, each breaking course records in the process.
Gelana, running his second marathon in six weeks, broke away from a pack of five runners at the 22-mile mark and finished in 2:07:37. He cut 15 seconds off the previous record set by fellow Ethiopian Deriba Merga last year.
“I did not expect to run this fast. It was unexpected, but I hope the future will bring even more interesting things for me. I think I can run 2:05,” said Gelana.
His personal best prior to the Houston Marathon was 2:11:50, set in 2008.
Ethiopian Zembaba Yigeze finished in second place (2:08:27), while Kenyan Jason Mbote was third (2:08:58).
Erkesso dominated the woman’s race for the second year in a row, crossing the finish line in a course record. Erkesso won by nearly five minutes, lowering her record set last year by 25 seconds with a time of 2:23:53.
Russian Margarita Plaksina (Russia) was the second in the women’s race with 2:28:44. Alemitu Abera (Ethopia) was third in 2:31:01.
Both Galana and Erkesso received $35,000 for their victories.
Antonio Vega (St. Paul, Minnesota) and Shalane Flanagan (Portland, Oregon) claimed 2010 USA Half Marathon Championships with their victories in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon.
Vega finished in 1:01:54, setting a new personal best by more than a minute, while Flanagan shattered the course record in the women’s half marathon championship, finishing in 1:09:41.
“It felt like just another day, just another practice. It wasn’t until the last 400 meters did I say 'okay, this is a race and I need to make sure I seal the deal,'” said Flanagan, who has her long-term sights set on the marathon.
“It was a very good effort, very controlled, and it was just a great day for running.”
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