| Ohio Track and Running Report |
CVS/Cleveland Marathon and 10K - Men
Da Silva's 2:12:43 Tops Lead Pack's 'Breakout' PR Day
by TPNS Editor Bob Ramsak
(TPNS) -29. April 2001 - Cleveland, OH -- (Note: Written for The News Herald and the Race Results Weekly News Service) --
Sunshine, a light breeze and cool race time temperatures are the ideal combination for long distance runners, and all three were abundant yesterday in downtown Cleveland, pacing several runners to career or season-best performances at the 24th CVS/Cleveland marathon.
Edilson Da Silva was one of those runners. Running in only his second marathon, the 28-year old Brazilian knocked nearly three minutes of his personal record to win his first major marathon title in a very respectable 2:12:34.
"This is a very important victory for me," said the Marinhao, Brazil native. "I wanted to run a fast time and it was great for me to win in the United States."
Luis Fonseca, who was seventh in last year's Cleveland race, improved to second this year, clocking 2:12:59, also a personal best by nearly two minutes.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the morning was two-time Barbados Olympian Ronnie Holassie, who knocked more than four minutes from his previous best, to finish third in 2:13:03.
"This was a breakthrough race for me," said the Miami-based 29-year old thoroughbred horse trainer. "Today I discovered that I could do alot better than I have up to now. Now I'll just have to wait to see what the future holds." The self-coached native of Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad will now seek a coach, he said, to help "reach the next level."
Besides the weather, all three benefitted from a stong pace-setting effort by the race rabbits, leading the front pack through the 30 kilometer point.
Da Silva said he felt the race was his just after the 25 mile point on the Superior Avenue Bridge. "I was able to maintain the pace and stetch it just enough."
The men's 10K was quick and tight from the outset, producing one of the fastest 6.2 mile road races in the country this year. The Kenyan quartet of James Koskei, Enock Mitei, John Thuo and Dominique Niyabuto led a lead pack of seven runners through the three mile point before Koskei and the 20-year old Mitei pulled to a steady three second lead. Mitei kept up the pressure, but Koskei never relented, winning in 28:08.
"The race was very tough," Koskei said. "I was worried about Enock at first. I wanted to pull away but I had to stay in control because he was right with me." At New Orleans' Cresecent City 10K two weeks ago, the two were in a very similar situation, with Koskei's stronger kick proving the difference. "When I still lead in the last kilometer, I knew I had him."
Mitei was pleased runner-up effort --a new personal best 28:11. "I felt I ran well, but I just didn't have enough to push past him at the end."
Thuo finished third, also in a personal best 28:13. "The pace was very fast. I knew they were strong in the finish, and I couldn't contend in the end. Mexican Olympian and two-time New York Marathon champion German Silva was fifth. The top Ohioan, Daniel Cheruiyot of Canton, was eighth.
Prize money was down significantly from last year. The marathon winner netted $5,200, the runner-up $4,000, and $3,000 for third. Last year's winner received $15,000. The 10K champion received $2,000.
Mens 10K
1.James Koskei, Kenya 28:08
2.Enock Mitei, Kenya 28:11
3.John Itati, Kenya 28:13
4.Dominique Niyabuto, Kenya, 28:15
5.German Silva, Mexico 28:49
6.John Korir, Kenya 29:14
7.Pavel Kokin, Russia 29:29
8.Daniel Cheruiyot, Canton:29:48
9.Gilbert Rutto, Canton,OH :29:49
10.John Sence, Cinci OH, 0:29:50
Marathon
1. Edilson Da Silva, BRA, 2:12:43
2. Luis Fonseca, VEN, 2:12:59
3. Ronnie Holassie, TRI, 2:13:03
4. Aleksey Korobov, RUS, 2:13:19
5. Genilson Da Silva, BRA, 2:22:02
6. Kefah Keraro, KEN, 2:26:34
7. Tesfaye Amenu, OH, 2:27:37
8. Tony Banovich, Mont, 2:28:55
9. Zachariah Nyambaso, KEN, 2:29:11
10. Jason Warick, CAN, 2:30:07
Master's
1. Michael Clay, OH, 2:44:27
