Posted: August 16, 2004

Athletics: Matui, Ivanova Win America's Finest City Half Marathon

Two AFC First-Timers Claim Crowns

By Patrice Malloy, Running USA wire

SAN DIEGO - (August 15, 2004) - Joseah Matui of Kenya and Alevtina Ivanova of Russia were victorious at the 27th edition of America's Finest City Half Marathon (AFC) this Sunday in San Diego. Matui, 27, claimed the winner's crown in 1:04:25. Ivanova, 29, won in 1:15:01. It was the first AFC Half Marathon for both. A moist San Diego marine layer produced a cloudy but humid backdrop for the more than 6,000 runners on the scenic point-to-point course.

In the men's competition, the lead pack was clearly and quickly defined in the first two miles when three Africans began to distance themselves with their dominating sub-4:55 mile pace. Like three rivaling peas in a pod, Matui, John Korir (Kenya) and Michael Mislay (Tanzania) battled it out in close proximity for 12 miles of the 13.1-mile race. The threesome, who all clocked 29:06 at the 10K mark and never seemed more than an arm's length apart, experienced a gradual break up in the final uphill mile when Matui pulled away from countryman Korir and Mislay.

"I love hills," proclaimed Matui, whose superior uphill kick left Korir trailing by 10 seconds in 1:04:35 and Mislay finishing a solid third in 1:04:46.

The women's race lacked the togetherness of the men's lead pack but was by no means a runaway victory. Ivanova, exuding confidence from last week's Falmouth Road Race victory, began to pull away from Kenyan, Anastasia Ndereba, in the first three miles. Ndereba, the younger sister of former marathon world record holder, Catherine Ndereba, kept the Russian in sight and trailed by just 10 seconds when Ivanova passed by the 10K point in 34:25. Ivanova finished 30 seconds up at the finish (1:15:01) with Ndereba second in 1:15:31. Maria Busienei of Kenya placed third in 1:17:54.

Competitors in the half-marathon vied for $11,000 in prize money and bonuses. The first male and female San Diego County resident finishers, David Volk (1:11:03) and Kimberly Fagen (1:21:47) received two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines to any of the 60 destinations served by the airline. California resident Danny Gonzales, 42, finished first in the master's competition (1:09:39) and Susan Loken, 41, of Phoenix, Ariz., was the first female master in 1:19:26.

Elite and recreational runners from 45 states and 17 countries participated in the 27th America's Finest City Half Marathon and 5K race. With over 6,000 participants, the AFC is the tenth largest half-marathon in the United States and the largest half-marathon west of the Mississippi. Over 1,000 runners participated in the accompanying 5K (3.1 mile) race.

The event benefits the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. During its 27-year history, the America's Finest City Half Marathon has raised over $1.6 million for non-profit organizations. The event is produced by Neil Finn Sports Management, Inc., of San Diego.

27th America's Finest City Half-Marathon - San Diego, CA, Sunday, August 15, 2004

Men
1) Joseah Matui, KEN, 1:04:25 $1200
2) John Kipruto Korir, KEN, 1:04:35 $800
3) Michael Mislay, TAN, 1:04:46 $500
4) Matt Levassiur, USA, 1:06:12 NCAA
5) Kevin Koeper, USA, 1:07:10 $200

Men Masters (40+)
1) Danny Gonzales, USA/CA, 1:09:39 $250

Women
1) Alevtina Ivanova, RUS, 1:15:01 $1200
2) Anastasia Ndereba, KEN, 1:15:31 $800
3) Maria Busienei, KEN, 1:17:54 $500
4) Nicole Kulikov, USA/CO, 1:18:13 $300
5) Hannah Kinseth, USA, 1:18:38 $200

Women Masters (40+)
1) Susan Loken, USA/AZ, 1:19:26 $250

For complete results go to: www.afchalf.com.