Marathoners Jynocel Basweti and Janet Becker took advantage of perfect conditions and withstood a tough course to win in Sunday's Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon.
Basweti, originally from Kenya and a Marietta resident, defended his title in the men's marathon, completing the 26.2-mile run around downtown Atlanta in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 43 seconds. Becker of Grand Rapids, Mich., was the women's top finisher in 3:00:41.
The winners said the combination of hills and a field that didn't include many professional runners was enough to challenge them. Basweti often found himself running alone, which can be difficult because there is no one to set a pace, but he preferred the course's setup.
“There were a lot of hills on this course, but I like to run the hills," said Basweti, 24, who has won 11 races since turning pro in 2005.
Becker is an exercise physiologist in Michigan who runs as a hobby. She welcomed the 60-degree temperature because she had been training in 20- and 30-degree conditions.
"It was hot to me," said Becker, who was competing in the race for the first time and intends to return next year.
Atlanta's Andrew Heath finished second (2:34:51) and Aaron Ladd of Lexington, Mass., was third (2:45:42). Heath, a civil engineer for the state Department of Transportation, said the hills made it tough to get into a rhythm, but he enjoyed the scenery. The course started at Centennial Olympic Park and traversed Five Points, Midtown, Little Five Points, Decatur, North Decatur, Druid Hills and Piedmont Park before finishing at Centennial Olympic Park.
Atlanta's Mia Jeckel finished second in the women's marathon (3:02:37) and Christine Rockey of Conway, S.C., was third (3:06:57).
Atlantans also fared well in the half marathon. Leo Kormanik, a Life University student, won the men's race (1:06:53), beating Josh Carson (1:12:30). Hillsboro's Alan Black finished third (1:12:36). It was the first time Kormanik had run in the event. He trained at Life's hilly campus in Marietta.
Rome's Jill Horst was the top female finisher (1:21:55) in the half marathon. She finished a few seconds ahead of Atlanta's Sarah Darvill (1:22:26). Marietta's Allison Kreutzer was third (1:23:00). Horst said she took the lead in the last two miles and then "ran scared."
Josh Cassidy was the top finisher in the wheelchair division, finishing in 50:38. He also won the wheelchair division in last year's The Atlanta Journal- Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
Lilburn's Luis Herrera, 13, was the fastest of the youngest racers in the half marathon, finishing in 1:33:27.
Jean McHugh Horgan, 82, who lives in Pikeville, Tenn., was the oldest entrant as she competed in her first marathon. She ran 10 miles in a little more than three hours before organizers made her stop because she fell behind the mandatory pace.
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