Sedona AZ (February 7, 2016) – Saturday morning, February 6, registrants from around the globe raced through Sedona’s beautiful red rocks in the 11th Annual Sedona Marathon Event. Over 2,800 runners and walkers enjoyed the scenic yet difficult course; and the results are in.
For the second year in a row, Flagstaff runner Thomas Rivers Puzey, age 31, took first place in Full Marathon Men’s Division. Puzey finished with a time of 2:47:25, three minutes away from the course record set in 2008. In second place with a time of 2:50:36 was Derrik Sweeney from Riverside, Illinois, age 24; followed by Kristofor Norberg, with a final time of 3:18:23.
In the Full Marathon Women’s Division, destination marathoner Christine Wenzl from Vienna Austria, age 34, came in first place with a time of 3:24:55. Amanda Rossolimo, age 39 from Mansfield Center, Connecticut came in second place with a time of 3:30:52; followed by Taylor Votek, age 23 from Lebanon, New Jersey with a time of 3:34:11.
In the Half Marathon Men’s Division, Arizona dominated. Adrian Herder, age 23 from Kykotsmovi, Arizona came in first place with a final time of 1:22:14. Daniel Crane from Scottsdale, Arizona, age 31, finished second place with a time of 1:23:22. Austin Horn from Flagstaff, age 18, finished third with a time of 1:24:35.
In the Women’s Division, Michelle Wesson age 41 from Flagstaff, Arizona came in first place with a time of 1:29:36. The second place finisher, Randi Simon, age 41 from Prescott Valley, Arizona, came in with a final time of 1:30:11; followed by Taryn Treadway, age 23 from Flagstaff, Arizona with a final time 1:35:21.
In the 10K Men’s Division, Nakai Lake, age 17 from Prescott Valley, Arizona took the gold with a time of 39:31. Local runner and adventure enthusiast Jesse Martin, age 33 came in second place with a time of 41:16. Marlon Urrutia from Spring, Texas, age 40 came in third place with a time of 42:41.
In the 10K Woman’s Division, the gold went to Clare Lears, age 33 from Flagstaff, Arizona with superb time of 45:54. Alea Juntti, age 22 came in second place with a final time of 47:33 from Negaunee, Michigan. The third place finisher, Erin Strout from Flagstaff, Arizona, age 41, finished at 48:01.
In the 5K Men’s Division, the first place finisher was Adam Vess, age 26 from Flagstaff, Arizona, with a time of 17:49. In second place was Marshall Ritter, age 23 from Flagstaff, Arizona with a final time of 18:52; immediately followed by Davis Boggess, age 16 from Flagstaff, Arizona at 18:54.
In the 5K Women’s Division, some very young talented ladies ruled the course. Povi Plank, 15 year old Flagstaff resident finished first with a time of 22:16. Local resident Nyah Valdez, age 12 finished second with a time of 23:41. Haley Johnson from Bellemont, Arizona placed third with a time of 24:24. Did we mention that Haley is only 8 years old? Kudos!
Congratulations to the 2,800 registrants who completed the Sedona Marathon Events: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Trail Runner Magazine ranked Sedona on the “Top 3 Most Beautiful Trail Running Cities in America” list. Competitor Magazine featured the Sedona Half Marathon as one of “America’s Greatest 25 Half Marathons”! It’s no wonder the Sedona Marathon Event continues to expand, marking Sedona as one of the elite outdoor adventure capitals of America.
The 11th Annual Sedona Marathon Event is brought to your by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, with Presenting Sponsor Northern Arizona Healthcare. Final results are posted at www.SedonaMarathon.com. The 12th Annual Sedona Marathon Event will be held on February 4, 2017.