Posted: June 4, 2006

Athletics: Tolossa Makes U.S. Debut Memorable with Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Victory

Chelangat captures second musical marathon title

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 4, 2006) - Ambesse Tolossa of Ethiopia made the most of his first visit to the United States as he won the ninth annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Sunday in San Diego. Tolossa, 27, covered the 26.2- mile course in a time of 2:10:08. On the women's side, Kenya's Alice Chelangat captured her second Rock 'n' Roll title, winning in 2:28:21.

Tolossa, who was running on U.S. soil for the first time, captured his second title this year, having also won the Tokyo Marathon in January. Chelangat's victory marked her second in San Diego as she also won the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 2002.

After running a conservative first 13 miles, the men's field cruised thru eight straight sub-five minute miles. The pack was down to five men by 16 miles and last year's champion, Christopher Cheboiboch, had fallen back at that point. By mile 20, it was a two man race, down to Tolossa and Simon Bor of Kenya. The men ran side- by-side before Tolossa made his move just after passing mile 23. Known for a strong finishing kick, the Ethiopian gradually increased his lead en route to crossing the finish line all alone. Bor finished second in 2:10:37 and another Kenyan, Stephen Kiogora, was third at 2:11:45.

"I'm covered by happiness," Tolossa said with a large smile. "I am very happy and would like to come back next year. Everyone was concerned about the weather, so we were slow in the beginning. But we went by the halfway point and it was alright. Then everyone wanted to win."

In the women's race the field was down to three women by mile 18; Chelangat, her countrywoman Hellen Kimutai and Russia's Lyubov Morgunova. The trio slowed the pace dramatically thru miles 18, 19 and 20, trying to wear each other down and no one wanting to pull away. Chelangat finally made her move at mile 21 and gradually pulled away for the victory. Kimutai was second in 2:28:44 and Morgunova was third at 2:29:39.

"I like this race," exclaimed Chelangat. "The people are so nice. I hear them cheering, 'Go ladies! Go ladies!' and I think they are saying 'Go Alice! Go Alice! It makes me run fast."

More than 20,000 runners and walkers registered for the ninth annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. A total of $12.5 million (net) was raised by more than 4,000 Team In Training participants for the official charity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The evening was capped off by a post-race concert by Grammy-award- winning group Ozomatli at the Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, Calif.

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - San Diego, Calif. June 4, 2006

Top 10 Results
Men
1, Ambesse Tolossa, 27, Ethiopia, 2:10:08, $20,000 and vehicle
2, Simon Bor, 37, Kenya, 2:10:37, $20,000
3, Stephen Kiogora, 31, Kenya, 2:11:45, $10,000
4, Benjamin Kemboi, 30, Kenya, 2:11:50, $7,500
5, Tekeste Kebede, 26, Ethiopia, 2:13:15, $5,000
6, Raymond Kipkoech, Kenya, 2:13:38, $2,000
7, Christopher Cheboiboch, Kenya, 2:14:10, $1,300
8, Simson Limareng, 27, Kenya, 2:15:54, $1,200
9, Moses Kemboi, 27, Kenya, 2:17:45, $1,100
10, Terefe Yae, 25, Ethopia, 2:18:05, $1,000

Women
1, Alice Chelangat, 29, Kenya, 2:28:21, $20,000 and vehicle
2, Hellen Kimutai, 28, Kenya, 2:28:44, $20,000
3, Lyubov Morgunova, 35, Russia, 2:29:39, $10,000
4, Askale Tafa, 21, Ethiopia, 2:29:47, $7,500
5, Shitaye Gemechu, 25, Ethiopia, 2:36:53, $5,000
6, Rimma Pushkina, 32, Russia, 2:37:53, $2,000
7, Yihunilish Bekele, 25, Ethiopia, 2:42:52, $1,300
8, Katie Lee, 23, USA (Ca.), 2:53:20, $1,200
9, Jennifer Pfeifer, 34, USA (Ca.), 2:57:14, $1,100
10, Whitney Altizer, 28, USA (NC), 2:58:14, $1,000

Masters Men
1, Les Myers, 51, St. Louis, Mo., 2:47:14, $1,000

Masters Women
1, Christa Koot, 47, Chino, Calif., 3:18:30, $1,000

Wheelchairs
Men
1, Martin Vogel, 41, Pasadena, Calif., 1:56:06, $500
2, Edwin Figueroa, 35, Commerce, Calif., 1:54:54, $300
3, Chris Kohler, 36, Lake Elsinore, Calif., 2:08:27, $200

Women
1, Falayla Franck, 24, Chatsworth, Calif., 2:45:46

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