Since it’s humble beginnings in 1978, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has drawn over 350,000 runners and has become a favorite local event for participants and spectators alike. With a sponsorship from Rite Aid which began in 2003, race participation has grown by 300 percent and now draws runners from all over the world.
The 2013 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon began this past Saturday, May 18 with a 5K and Kids’ Run. For the men’s 5K, 23-year-old Davis Filippell from Shaker Heights, OH came in first with an impressive 16:19.79. For the women, 19-year-old Erin Abdalian of St. Louis, MO came in first with an equally impressive 20:42.74.
The marathon festivities continued on Sunday, May 19 with the 10K, half marathon, and full marathon. For the men’s 10K, 32-year-old Najim El-Qady came in first with 28:45.12, along with the female first finisher Risper Gesabwa, 24, with her time of 33:21.03.
For the half marathon, male first finisher 30-year-old Leo Kormanik II from Lodi, OH came in at 1:10:05.56, along with female first finisher 39 year-old Patricia Dushaw Earnhart from Niles, OH with 1:10:58.41.
Finally, for the full marathon, male winner Philemon Terer, 27, from Kenya finished the race with an incredible time of 2:17:36.47. He took home $6,000; $3,000 for finishing first and another $3,000 for finishing in under 2:20. Women’s marathon winner Sarah Kiptoo, 23, from Kenya finished in 2:33:41.58 and also enjoyed a $6,000 cash prize.
Along with thousands of participants, plenty of spectators lined the streets and crowded the finish line to cheer on friends and family members.
Interested in learning more about the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon? Click here to view their website.
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