Races — Siemers wins Denver Marathon; race to become next Rock N Roll Marathon

DENVER, Colo. – October 18, 2009 – Chris Siemers, 28, won the fourth annual Denver Marathon this weekend. Nearly 10,000 runners competed in the marathon and associated running events. Also, Friday, Competitor Group announced that the Denver Marathon will become a Rock N Roll Marathon starting in 2010.

A local Coloradan from Arvada, Chris Siemers, 28, led the Male field with a time of 2:23:03. Jynocel Basweti, 22, of Kenya, the 2008 Denver Marathon winner, placed second with a time of 2:23:56. Another Colorado resident, Andrew Smith, 33, from Denver, took third place with a time of 2:28:35.

“I had settled for 2nd place, and was more worried about being caught by third,” said Chris Siemers. “At mile 24 I saw my friend Mike Aish (winner 2008 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon), and he said to me you can catch him, go for it. I threw down my sunglasses and put my head down and went for it. I caught him at 26 so I’m obviously very happy to have come here and won.”

In the women’s full marathon, Holly McIlvaine, 36, of Seattle, WA, took first place with a time of 3:00:26. Ashley Anderson, 25, from Denver, placed second with a time of 3:03:03 and Jeanne Cooper, 31, from Eagle, Colo., came in third with a time of 3:05:42.

For the half marathon, Matt Levassiur, from Alamosa, Colo., took first in the half with a time of 1:08:05; Justin Young, 30, of Superior, Colo., came in second with a time of 1:08:59 and Kennett Kiptoo of Kenya, 29, took third with a time of 1:10:13.
Peris Chumba, 21, of Kenya led the female division with a time of 1:18:53. Cynthia Lauren Arnold, 25, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.,, took second with a time of 1:21:50 and rounding out the women’s division, Elle Pishny, 24, of Durham, North Carolina, took third with a time of 1:23:07.

“Today signified what the sport of running is all about — dedication, commitment and perfect Colorado weather, which made for an amazing running event in the great state of Colorado,” said Anton Villatoro, Executive Director of the Denver Marathon. “Today, we celebrated with the 10,000 athletes who participated in our event and encourage everyone to start training for the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon in the Fall of 2010. See you at next year’s finish line.”

Denver to host Rock N Roll Marathon
The Competitor Group announced Friday that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series will officially add the Denver Marathon to its schedule of races for next year. The event will host the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon, half Marathon and the ING Marathon Relay in the fall of 2010. With the addition of the Denver event, there will now be 13 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons and half Marathons in 2010. Each event creates a running block party with live bands performing at every mile, cheerleaders encouraging runners throughout the race, themed water stations, and a post-event concert featuring a headlining act. The events’ festive atmospheres, which combine entertainment and running, all maintain the unique aspects of the regions in which they are held.

The course highlights the cultural diversity of Denver’s communities by incorporating a mix of urban neighborhoods, shopping and restaurant districts, city parks and residential areas. The race course is flat and has little to no elevation change and was certified by USA Track & Field as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Source: Competitor Group
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