Posted: November 9, 2005

Athletics: US Half Marathon Race Report

SAN FRANCISCO (November 6, 2005) – Ryan Dawkins, president of US Race Series, LLC is pleased to announce the wrap-up of another successful San Francisco event. Over 2,000 runners, collectively representing 50 states and seven different countries, competed along the breathtaking course, which begins at historic Muni Pier on the San Francisco waterfront.

“We could not be happier with the success of the fourth annual US Half Marathon in San Francisco,” said Dawkins. “The weather was perfect for running and I think all athletes will agree that the beauty of the course is unrivaled.”

The course, which has not changed since this race’s inception in 2002, takes runners on a picturesque trip around the northern tip of San Francisco. From the Municipal Pier at Fort Mason runners make their way to Bay Street before turning west and running along the coast, with Alcatraz on the horizon to the North. Then, as they make their way toward the Pacific, the Golden Gate looms in the distance as they zig-zag around the northern end of the Presidio taking in a few historic buildings and old fortifications along the way.

It is only then that what must be the most exciting part of the race (besides, of course, finishing) becomes reality—crossing the Golden Gate. After weaving their way around the north side of the bridge, they come back again to then turn east and head back towards Fort Mason where they ultimately finish at the Aquatic Park.

“It was a gorgeous course, amazing!,” women’s winner and South African native Johanna Van Schalkwyk, 26.

Due to the relatively short distance of a half marathon (13.1 miles), a number of position changes can happen throughout the duration of the race. However, the winners of this years US Half Marathon in both the men’s and women’s divisions established their positions by mile one and never relinquished them.

The men’s division winner was Michael Stoick, 27, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, finished with a time of 1 hour 13 minutes 45 seconds. Normally competing as a pro triathlete, this was his first run in San Francisco. “I had a great time,” he said smiling. Finishing in second and third respectively were David Thompson in 1:18:42 and Evgeniy Sklyanskiy who finished with a time of 1:20:04.

The women’s division winner, Van Schalkwyk, finished with an impressive time of 1 hour 24 minutes 34 seconds outrunning her nearest competitor, Lisa Rosenbaum, by just over four and a half minutes. Rosenbaum finished her race in 1:29:05. Third place went to Nancy Morales of with a 1:30:39.

Awarded “Best of the Bay” by City Sports Magazine, the US Half Marathon, San Francisco is part of a 5 event series across the U.S including Georgia, Idaho, Colorado and Napa Valley.

Race website: USHalf.com.