Posted: July 18, 2006

Athletics: Rodriguez, Daane Win Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon

SONOMA, Calif. - (July 16, 2006) - One does not normally rush through the fabled vineyards and idyllic back roads of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

But once a year 2,000-plus runners set aside their wine-tasting endeavors just long enough to participate in the Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon. This year's 13.1-mile Napa-to-Sonoma race took place on Sunday, under sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

Defending champion, Celedonio (Cele) Rodriguez, repeated his dominance, setting a new course record in one hour, 6 minutes, 34 seconds, nearly a three minute improvement over his time last year (1:09:31). Irishwoman Elizabeth Daane, 35, was the women's champion, breaking the finish tape in 1:20:31.

Rodriguez set a fast early pace as he cruised through the Cuvaison and Domaine Carneros vineyards in the Carneros wine region. "I was nervous in the beginning of the race because I did not know who else was here," said Rodriguez. His first two 4:38 miles and continued strength had the chase pack quickly asking themselves who would place second. "I settled into a 5:00- to 5:10-mile pace when I realized that nobody was going to join me." It was Rodriguez's second half marathon victory in seven days, having won a race last Sunday in Seattle.

A 14-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division II champion while a student at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., Rodriguez, 25, still lives and trains in Alamosa under the guidance of Peter DeLaCerda, the runner-up at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

A relative newcomer to the long distance running scene, Rodriguez was the surprise victor at the 2005 BAA Half Marathon last October, setting a personal record of 1:04:09. "I want to run more half-marathons this summer and fall," said Rodriguez, who says he will probably be a marathon runner eventually. "Actually, I prefer 5Ks because they are very quick."

"Cele went out very fast," said Matt Thull, who won the inaugural Wine Country Half Marathon two years ago. Thull, 31, of Milwaukee, Wis., placed second in 1:08:26. "It was obvious he was strong and he never seemed to slow down. I lost sight of him about nine miles into the race." Steve Laurie, 25, of Eugene, Calif. placed third in 1:08:50.

The luck of the Irish did not seem to have anything to do with the outcome of the women's race, but quite possibly some extra family support did. Daane, an Irish citizen living in Reno, Nev., overcame painful blisters to run strong and steady for the women's title. "My parents are here visiting from Ireland and it was nice to see them at the finish," said Daane. "My husband, Brandon, is here too. He is my biggest supporter."

Daane trailed Stephanie Bylander, of Alamosa, Colo., for the first nine miles before passing her and pulling away. "I was sitting on her tail for 8 miles and realized that, if I was going to make a move, I needed to do it then. It was a lot of fun for me," said Daane. "It is so beautiful here." A former University of Nevada at Reno athlete, Daane is training for the Dublin City Marathon this October.

Bylander, who set her half-marathon personal record at the 2005 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships (1:16:58), was disappointed with her runner-up finish (1:21:46), but was upbeat about the future and her goal to compete in the USA 20K Championships in New Haven on September 4. "Today was not my best day, but that happens sometimes," said Bylander. Caroline Radtke of Fairfield, Calif. finished third in 1:22:02.

The half-marathon's top finishers will be able to savor their victories in style. The prize purse included: $2000 in cash and $7000 in wine and other prizes, including double magnums of Acacia wine and a Ball watch ($2500 value).

The Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon starts at the Cuvaison Winery and Domaine Carneros winery in Napa and winds though vineyards, farms and the Napa/Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Preserve before finishing in historic Sonoma Plaza. The Travel Channel was on hand all weekend to tape participants enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Managed by Destination Races of Sonoma, Calif., the Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon weekend also included a 10K race.

3rd Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon - Napa to Sonoma, CA, Sunday, July 16, 2006

MEN
1) Celedonio Rodriguez, CO, 1:06:34*, $500 plus watch and wine
2) Matt Thull, WI, 1:08:26, $300
3) Steve Laurie, CA, 1:08:50, $200
*course record (previous record, 1:08:47, Matt Thull)

WOMEN
1) Elizabeth Daane (IRL), NV, 1:20:31, $500 plus wine and a spa package
2) Stephanie Bylander, CO, 1:21:46, $300
3) Caroline Radtke, CA, 1:22:02, $200

For deeper results, visit: RunCarneros.com.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.

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