By Sharon Robb STAFF WRITER Posted January 31 2005
MIAMI · Erick Quiros of Costa Rica took advantage of a rare
Kenyan mistake to win the Toyota Prius Miami Tropical Half
Marathon.
The two-time champion of the San Jose International
Half-Marathon looked on as leaders Solomon Kandie and Moses Waweru,
both of Kenya, followed the marathon-course sign instead of the
half-marathon sign. By Mile 14, Kandie was looking around and
throwing his arms in the air.
A
quick-thinking Quiros turned off at the half-marathon sign to win
his first major U.S. men's title in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 4 seconds
for 13.1 miles, just shy of the 1:07:56 course record set by
countryman Johnny Loria-Solano last year. He won $1,000.
"I
am a lucky man," Quiros said through an interpreter. "I did not
follow the Kenyans."
Michael Wardian, 30, of Arlington, Va.,
a marathon treadmill world-record holder, was second in 1:10:06 and
won $500. The lanky, ponytailed runner watched the lead pack for
most of the race and "just ran my own race." On Dec. 1, he ran a
certified 2:23:58 on a treadmill.
"I led the race for the
first three miles, and then they just took off," Wardian said. "I
wasn't expecting all the causeways; that's a lot of hill
work."
In the women's half-marathon, an age-group runner had
one of the fastest times among the elite field.
Debbi
Kilpatrick-Morris, 41, of Strongsville, Ohio, was a late entry but
didn't disappoint organizers, winning the women's title (1:18:32)
and $750. Kilpatrick, who led the entire race, arrived the day
before. She had been training indoors on a treadmill because of the
snow. The masters 20K national-record holder is coached by local
Jeff Hlinka of Hillsboro Beach. Hlinka also coaches Marlene Persson
of Deerfield Beach, who was fifth in the half-marathon in
1:24:32.
"She ran real well," Hlinka said. "We had a plan and
stuck with it. We were basically going for the win. It was a
prestigious win."
Sonja Friend-Uhl of West Palm Beach,
originally announced second in 1:19:05, was bumped to third when
age-group runner Veena Reddy, 26, of Philadelphia had a faster time
in 1:18:49 and won $500. Friend-Uhl pocketed $250. "I actually
didn't chase [Kilpatrick-Morris] down; I ran my race," Friend-Uhl
said. . "Debbi is a marathoner and knows how to push
it."
LOCAL standouts
Many of the
local runners said they were affected by the humidity, even though
they train in it. Top Floridian in the half-marathon was Jimmy
Villalobos, 34, of Sunrise in 1:13:23.
"I was a little worn
out from the heat toward the end," said Villalobos, who finished
eighth overall.
Gulliver Prep's Bryan Sharkey, 17, was
second among Floridians in a personal-best 1:14:18.
"This
will get me in shape for the track season," Sharkey said.
John Reback of North Palm Beach was the third-fastest
Florida man in 1:16:53. Friend-Uhl was the top Florida woman in
1:19:04. Marlene Persson of Deerfield Beach was second in 1:24:30,
and Carol Postigo of Miami was the third-fastest Florida woman in
1:26. ...
Miami fourth-grader Jeffrey Tait finished 98th
among Floridians in his half-marathon debut in 1:35:47 and was
getting a lot of attention after the race.
"All this
attention is fine but I am a little bit tired," Tait said.
At
10 he was the youngest finisher. ...
Jennifer Reily 31, and
Scott Bailey, 46, both of Fort Walton Beach were wed during the
marathon. They stopped midway through at Bayfront Park's fountain,
had a brief ceremony and continued the marathon. They finished in
7:06:10.
A week after competing in the Orlando Extreme
Marathon, Monica Kimbler of Pembroke Pines finished her 40th
marathon, and her husband, John, his 15th. Both are 48.
Subscribe today to the Sun-Sentinel
and find out how to get one week extra! Click
here or call 1-877-READ-SUN.
Member
services
.gif){kind=spacer}
