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|  Hot Times in Cool Temps at Falmouth Marty Shaivone - Running USA Wire Aug. 8, 2004 FALMOUTH, Mass.
For the second time three weeks Mother Nature rolled a
lucky 7, and once again runners responded with course
records. On July 24 the Quad City Times Bix 7 in Iowa
experienced record low tempratures and the result was a
women's course record. Today at the country's other big 7
miler, the SBLI Falmouth Road Race, the
conditions were more like early autumn than the dog days of
August, and this time it was the men, in the person of
Gilbert Okari, fresh off his win at the Beach to
Beacon 10K who were responsible for rewriting the record
books. Okari's time of 31:08 (4:23 pace) was 24 seconds
better then the 1996 time of Joseph Kimani. Robert
Cheruiyot (31:37), third at Beach to Beacon, moved up a
spot and was just one tick off the old mark as well. John
Korir (31:43) who won an unprecedented fifth title at Bix, was
thwarted in his bid to become the only quadruple men's
winner at Falmouth, finishing third in 31:43. Although the women didn't break any records their field did
have several Olympians who made this their tune up to
Athens. Russia's Alevtina Ivanova, second to Jen
Rhines here last year, led throughout the race and finished
in 36:13, tied for ninth fastest ever on the course. Second place finisher Olympian Kate O'Neill of
New Haven CT (36:26), ran a PR and was all smiles at the
end. USA 10,000 meter teammate Elva Dryer of
Albuquerque placed third in 36:43. Twin sister Laura
O'Neill was fifth in a PR of 37:31. The sisters had run
this race many times having grown up in Milton, MA. "It was
great having
so many family and friends along the course," said Kate.
"We have been working really hard since we graduated
(Yale) and our coach has been great, keeping us focused
and knowing when to get us to peak," added Laura. The first American male was Khalid
Khannouchi (32:26-9th overall) of Ossining, NY.
Although well off his best clocking here in 2000 (31:47) he
was pleased that he ran his race and ran smart. "When I
saw the lead pack go through the first mile in 4:23 I knew I
had to get into a rhythm, run my own race, do what I was
here to do, and stay strong," he said. "There are no excuses
now, I am up to 100 miles a week and will be increasing
that soon. Thanks to the support of my physiologists my
injury (bursitis in the foot) is gone and I will be ready for
Chicago," he added. The top masters were Jackson Kipng'ok of Kenya
(33:11) and Tatyana Pozdnyakova of the Ukraine (38:35).
Pozdnyakova's time was 1:38 faster then her time in 2003,
while her counterpart's was 20 secs. faster as well,
indicating the benefit of the cool ocean breeze from start to
finish. Matt Lane, a native of Yarmouth ME, came off a
crushing disappointment recently to grab the 2nd American
slot in the race. Lane, 23, watched his Olympic dream fall
short in the 5000 meters by .74 secs. at the trials in
Sacramento. Now more relaxed he looks to the future in a
few more road races. "My 32:38 (4:35 pace) felt good considering it was my first
time here," he said at the awards ceremony. "I am not
chasing the (Olympic) standard anymore, I don't have to
worry about the clock, I can just run and enjoy it!" he said.
After running PR's for the 1500, 3K and 10K (besides his
13:33.51 at the trials) he is looking forward to the USA 5K
Championship in Providence this September. As for the
O'Neills, they plan a short break after Athens and then will
get back on the roads in the Fall. The SBLI Falmouth Road Race has the richest,
non-marathon prize structure in the USA. With the winners
earning $11,000 each, a total of $114,000 is awarded
including $35,800 in U.S. prize money. 32nd SBLI Falmouth Road Race Falmouth, MA, Sunday, August 8, 2004 MEN 1. Gilbert Okari Kenya 31:08 $11,000 WOMEN 1. Alevtina Ivanova Russia 36:13 same$ as men For more results and race information, go to:
Falmouth
Road Race
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