Posted: May 22, 2005

Athletics: More Than 7,000 Runners Compete In 28th Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon And 10K

Female 10K winner breaks course record, local runner wins marathon

CLEVELAND, (May 22, 2005) – The 28th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and 10K has a new course record in the women’s 10k with a 31:10, set by Asmae Leghzaoui from Moroco. The previous record was 31:43. She was followed by Masako Chibo, 32:27, from Japan, and Albina Ivanova, 32:32 from Russia.

Cleveland runner Fred Kieser was the first marathon finisher and the first Ohioan with a time of 2:22:00. He was followed by 2004 winner Alexander Belavin from Russia with a time of 2:23:18. Kam Lee from Middlebrug Heights took third with a time of 2:31:56.

“I thought it would be cool for someone from Cleveland to win Cleveland,” said Kieser, a veteran marathoner. “It is very special to win at home.”

The women’s marathon was won by Donna Palisca from Killeen, Texas with a time of 2:54:53. She was followed by Laura Fuduric from Strongsville with a time of 2:59:43, and Judy Arlington from Lockport, NY with a time 3:03:54.

Kenyan’s dominated the male 10K with Julius Kibet leading the field of elite runners to win with a time of 28:44, Reuben Chebii with 28:58 and Isaac Arusei with 29:30.

For the first time in its 28 year history, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K hosted a half-marathon. The men’s winner was Rich Wisneski of Stow with a time of 1:17:03. Saulius Leonavicius from Germantown, MD placed second with a time of 1:17:23 and Dale Walsh from Fort Bragg, NC finished third with a time of 1:18:26.

Ohioan’s led the women’s half-marathon. Hannah Purdy won with a time of 1:21:18. Jill Aaron from Westlake took second with a time of 1:27:17 and Julia Hanna from New Albany took third with a time of 1:30:37. Since this was the inaugural running of the half-marathon, the men’s and women’s winning times become course records.

Ideal weather conditions led to a surge in last minute registrations for the 28th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K. With temperatures in the 50’s, more than 7,000 runners showed up at the starting line for the marathon, the 10K and the inaugural half-marathon. This is the most registered runners the race has seen since the mid 90s and represents nearly a 50 percent increase over 2004.

About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K is now in its 28th year of providing a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than 250,000 runners have participated, generating more than $6.8 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community and raising more than $1 million for various charities.

Sponsors of the 28th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K include:

Rite Aid
Apline Springs Natural Drinking Water
American Greetings
Penske Truck Rental
Lamisil Tablets
Eat’n Park
Hershey’s PayDay Pro
Carb Boom!
Stopain
WKYC-TV3
Cura-Heat
WMMS 100.7 FM
Kashi
Mix 106.5 FM
Instead Softcup
WGAR 99.5 FM
Coca-Cola
Majic 105.7 FM
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Kiss 96.5 FM
Clear Choice Laser Eye Centers
News Radio WTAM 1100 AM
Gries Financial
Second Sole
Asics
Fleet Feet Sports
Sports Health/Cleveland Clinic
Start to Finish
Galleria at Erieview
Vertical Runner
Powerade
In on Time
Orlando Bakery
Stoddard Imported Cars
Dunkin’ Donuts