Sedona AZ (February 2, 2013) – This morning, a record number of participants raced through the beautiful red rocks for the 8th Annual Sedona Marathon Event. Last year winner Brian Tinder of Flagstaff, Arizona took an early lead and finished the Sedona Marathon in first place with a time of 2:49:21, setting a new course record! Gary Krugger from Flagstaff, Arizona came in second place with a time of 2:54:24 followed by Steve Geertgens with a time of 3:12:20 from Seattle, Washington.
In the Full Marathon Women’s Division Polly Cambell from Tucson, Arizona came in first place with a 24 minute gap between her and the second place finisher, with a time of 3:06:55. Jean Herbert from Alberquerque, New Mexico came in second place with a time of 3:30:51 followed by local resident, Ultra Marathon runner and Sedona Running Company co-owner, Lindsay Scheiwiller with a time of 3:37:07.
In the Half Marathon Men’s Division Runners from Northern Arizona dominated. In the Men’s Division the overall winner was Christopher Gomez from Flagstaff, Arizona with an outstanding time of 1:15:39. Caleb Schiff, also a flagstaff resident, came in second with a time of 1:20:44, followed by CJ McClure from Scottsdale, Arizona with a time of 1:24:52.
In the Women’s Division Michelle Grey from Flagstaff, Arizona battled for first place with a triumphant time of 1:40:00. Second place finisher, Shannon Zanelli from Albuquerque, New Mexico, came in less than a tenth of a second later with a final time of 1:40:05. Third place finisher is Rachel Haughwout from Flagstaff, Arizona with a time of 1:41:58.
In the 10K Men’s Division, Aaron Biah from Flagstaff, Arizona won with a time of 37:12:14. Benjamin Belisle of McGill, Nevada came in second place with a time of 40:57:40, immediately followed by Leif Seed with a time of 41:21:70 from Winslow, Arizona.
The 10K Woman’s Division first and second place were taken by 13 year old Allyson and 14 year old Karen Arellano, sisters from Cottonwood, Arizona with superb times of 41:59:20 and 45:39:00. Third place finisher was Corrin Kalinich from Flagstaff, Arizona.
The 5K Men’s Division’s first place winner was Chad Carroll, from Fairbanks, Alaska with a time of 12:38:80. Second and third place was a tough match between Gary Plank, 13:12:10, and Thomas Boggess, 13:23:50, both residents of Flagstaff, Arizona.
In the 5K Women’s Division Mykala Seresun local resident of Sedona took first with a time of 13:48:60. Valentina Nyhart, a 14 year old from Flagstaff, Arizona came second with a time of 14:28:90 and Eve Wilson of Sedona took third with a time of 15:13:50.
Congratulations to the more than 2,400 participants who completed the Sedona Marathon Events: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Trail Runner Magazine ranked Sedona as the “Top 3 Most Beautiful Trail Running Cities in America”. Sedona was also featured as January’s “Rave Run” in Runner’s World Magazine! It’s no wonder the Sedona Marathon Event continues to expand, marking Sedona as one of the elite outdoor adventure capitals of America.
The 8th Annual Sedona Marathon Event is produced and directed by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Final results will be posted at www.SedonaMarathon.com on Race Day, February 2 by 7:00 pm. The 9th Annual Sedona Marathon Event will be held on February 1, 2014.