Najanjo, Paulson Win 11th Country Music Marathon

Running USA Wire
Cox, Thompson half-marathon titlists; 32,400 plus entrants brave inclement weather
By Dan Cruz, Competitor Group

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (April 24, 2010) - For the first time in its 11-year history, an American has won the Country Music Marathon. On Saturday morning, Ilsa Paulson, of New York City, was the first woman to break the tape on the 26.2-mile course with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes, 41 seconds.

Paulson, 21, had previously been scheduled to run in Sunday's Saint Anthony Marathon in Padua, Italy. The 2009 USA Marathon champion changed plans after the volcanic eruption in Iceland forced flight delays and cancellations throughout Europe.

"I was scheduled to run Los Angeles, but I got sick, and then Italy, but I couldn't travel with the volcano, so I guess the third time was the charm," said Paulson, who took home $6000. "I just enjoy running, so as long as I'm physically able to get out the door, then I view it as a wonderful blessing and opportunity."

The men's marathon champion, 31-year-old William Najanjo of Colombia, was neck-and-neck with countryman Juan Carlos Cardona until the last leg of the race, when he pulled away for the victory, 2:15:39 to 2:15:51. Westly Keating of Edinburg, Texas was the top American, finishing sixth overall in 2:20:48.

"This year, I run very fast. It's my second experience here," said Najanjo, who finished fifth last year. "I won, and I am very happy."

With extreme weather expected for Saturday afternoon, the event enacted its weather contingency plan, moving marathon runners slower than a 4:30 pace to the half-marathon course at the 11.2 mile marker.

"After the morning began looking quite promising, the weather shifted dramatically in a matter of minutes and a severe weather warning was issued by the National Weather Service," said Tracy Sundlun, Senior Vice President of the Competitor Group. "As part of our contingency plan, we implemented a series of cutoffs on the marathon course in an effort to get runners out of harm's way as quickly as possible. We also started the 15 minutes early and shortened the wave start."

At the 9th edition of the half-marathon, Josh Cox, the U.S. 50K record holder, earned the men's title in 1:06:47, while the women's winner Sharon Thompson of Franklin, TN was in a bathroom and caught off-guard by the race's earlier start. Despite the delay, she won in 1:16:12 in her debut half-marathon, a new course record.

"I didn't have time to warm up and just kind of saw the crowd leave, and I was supposed to be in that crowd," said Thompson, a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier for 10,000 meters. "I hopped over two fences and just started running really fast to catch up with the group. So I probably went out too hard."

The marathon and half-marathon drew more than 32,400 entrants for the race known as the ultimate tour of Music City. The 12th Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2011.

11th Country Music Marathon
Nashville, TN, Saturday, April 24, 2010

MEN
1) William Najanjo (COL), 2:15:39, $5000
2) Juan Carlos Cardona (COL), 2:15:51, $3000
3) Wilson Chepkowony (KEN), 2:16:25, $2000

WOMEN
1) Ilsa Paulson (USA / NY), 2:33:41, $6000*
2) Serkalem Abrha (ETH), 2:35:21, $3000
3) Jillian Mastroianni (USA / TN), 3:01:04, $2500*
*Includes U.S.-only prize money

Complete results and more at: http://nashville.competitor.com