Posted: October 3, 2005

Athletics: Oakland Runners Dominate Inaugural Sacramento Cowtown Marathon

By James Raia (www.byjamesraia.com)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Richie Boulet of Oakland assumed the lead after 18 miles and captured his second marathon of the year Sunday as a record field participated in the inaugural Sacramento Cowtown Marathon.

Boulet, 32, a former six-time All-American in track and cross country at UC Berkeley, was victorious by more than six minutes in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds.

Daniel Fisher, also of Oakland, was second in 2:44:19, with Guisseppe Petrillo of Rockin third in 2:48:09.

Ashley Carroll of San Francisco successfully defended her 2004 title with more than a 10-minute victory in the women's marathon in 3:04:10.

Dayna Gould was second in 3:14:58, with Lucy Wysocki of Sacramento third in 3:17:57.

An estimated field of 2,400 runners — the largest in event history — participated in the marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay and five-kilometer divisions.

The 29th annual race, formerly the Sacramento Marathon, began and ended at William Land Park, and was directed by new Rich Hanna, owner of Capital Rod Race Management. The event featured a new name, a new course, new race logo and new sponsors.

The Sacramento Cowtown Marathon was presented by Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, and benefitted the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.

Boulet ran unchallenged after he passed the earlier race leader who began to suffer shortly after beginning the second of the two half-marathon loops.

"At about mile 14, I asked somebody on the course how far behind I was and they said there was a guy about five minutes ahead of me," said Boulet, who also won the Pacific Shoreline Marathon last February as well as the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in May 2004. "I didn't think that was right, so I started moving. I eventually passed the guy right about 18 miles. He was cramping really badly."

Carroll, 22, a late entrant, led start to finish, while winning for the second time in her five-marathon career.

"I wanted to run (under) three hours, " said Carroll, a pole vault All-American at Stanford who was victorious last year in 3:07:09. "But coming into the race, I knew I was not in shape to run three hours, so today my goal was just to hang on to the three-hour mark as long as possible. It's what I did until mile 17, then I just 'fell apart.' "

Steve Moreno, also of Oakland, ran to a nearly six-minute victory in the men's half-marathon in 1:09:54.

Leonard Sperandeo of Gold River was second in 1:15:42, with Jeff Oberlatz of Sacramento third in 1:16:41.

Johanna Bonfoglio of Folsom claimed the women's half-marathon in 1:19.01. Katie Fontana of Sacramento was second in 1:20:05, with Mary Coordt third in 1:21:17.

Neither the half-marathon nor marathon winning times were close to event records.

Adam Ferreira set the men's marathon record of 2:20:31 in 1982 and Heik Skaden set the women's marathon record of 2:47:37 in 1981.

Dennis Rinde set the men's half-marathon record of 1:05:38 in 1981 and Niamh Nicholas set the women's half-marathon mark of 1:16:42 in 1999.

The 2005 event was dedicated to the memory of Paul Smith, the previous race co-owner, who died in May of colon cancer.

For complete results, visit the Sacramento Cowtown Marathon web site, www.sacramentocowtownmarathon.com, or contact Rich Hanna, Tel. (916) 492-8966; e-mail: rich@capitalroadrace.com; web site: www.capitalroadrace.com.

Sacramento Cowtown Marathon Results - William Land Park, Sacramento (Oct. 2, 2005)

Marathon Top 10
Men
1. Richie Boulet, Oakland, Calif., 2 hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds.
2. Daniel Fisher, Oakland, Calif., 2:44:19
3. Giuseppe Petrillo, Rocklin, Calif., 2:48:09
4. Todd Byers (hometown unavailable), 2:58:34
5. Dharam Piplani, Phoenix, Ariz., 3:02:00
6. Cal Lowden, Sacramento, Calif., 3:02:14
7. Blake Heren, Boulder, Colo., 3:04:52
8. Michael Pereira, San Leandro, Calif., 3:06:11
9. John Kennedy, Sacramento, Calif., 3:07:40
10. Gabe Runyon, Vail, Colo., 3:09:03
Women
1. Ashley Carroll, San Francisco, Calif., 3:04:08
2. Dayna Gould, (hometown unavailable), 3:14:58
3. Lucy Wysocki, Sacramento, Calif., 3:17:48
4. Elizabeth Lopez, Portland, Ore., 3:31:05
5. Karen Thernka, Rocklin, Calif., 3:33:03
6. Margaret Archer, Lincoln, Calif., 3:34:08
7. Rebecca Nyberry, West Sacramento, Calif., 3:38:20
8. Leslie Bardessono, Napa, Calif., 3:39:05
9. Lauren Kearney, San Diego, Calif., 3:41:40
10. Bic Aki, Union City, Calif., 3:43:49

Half Marathon
Men
1. Steve Moreno, Oakland, Calif., 1:09:52
2. Leonard Sperandeo, Gold River, Calif., 1:15:40
3. Jeff Oberlatz, Sacramento, Calif., 1:16:41
4. Mike Gottardi, Fair Oaks, Calif., 1:18:17
5. Roheem Moore, Vacaville, Calif., 1:20:16
6. Mark Murray, Sacramento, Calif., 1:21:05
7. Lou Nishimura, Fair Oaks, Calif., 1:22:49
8. Gregory Mecombie, (hometown unavailable), 1:24:49
9. Greg Fulks, Folsom, Calif., 1:24:52
10. Jason Flamm, Sacramento, Calif., 1:25:11
Women
1. Johanna Bonfiglio, Folsom, Calif., 1:19:01
2. Katie Fontana, Sacramento, Calif., 1:20:05
3. Mary Coordt, Elk Grove, Calif., 1:21:13
4. Jenny Hitchings, Sacramento, Calif., 1:25:48
5. Nicole Dixon, (hometown unavailable), 1:29:06
6. Michelle Leinfelder, Stockton, Calif., 1:29:53
7. Karyn Hoffman, Folsom, Calif., 1:32:03
8. Desiree Wilson, Sacramento, Calif., 1:33:14
9. Cindy Scott, Sacramento, Calif., 1:34:25
10. Christine Iwahashi, Sacramento, Calif., 1:34:58