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+--- Thread: Steffen, Meredith Take The Other Half (/Thread-Steffen-Meredith-Take-The-Other-Half)
Steffen, Meredith Take The Other Half - TheEd - 19-10-2011
MOAB, Utah - The 8th The Other Half held near Moab on Sunday had its biggest finisher count to-date with 1,727 runners officially completing the half-marathon. Joshua Steffen of Salt Lake City won the race in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 52 seconds, nearly five minutes ahead of runner-up Mark Pokora of Pikerington, Ohio. Masters course record holder Bernie Boettcher, 49, of Silt, Colorado battled down the finish stretch with Pokora and took third in 1:18:59.
The women's winner was Stephanie Meredith of Colorado Springs, who crossed the finish line in 1:27:37, ahead of second place finisher Kari-Ann Samuelson of Denver in 1:28:16.
Balmy weather and no wind made for near perfect running conditions. Race temps started in the 50s and sunny skies prevailed for the finish, where race participants listened to live music by Salt Lake City band Marinade, rehydrated on beverages provided by sponsors Gatorade and Moab Brewery and snacked on goodies while recounting their experience to one another.
"Great weather, great aid stations, great run!" said Julie Hughey of Grand Junction on the Moab Half Marathon's Facebook page following the race. Runners also enjoyed a post-race awards ceremony and raffle; the latter included prizes donated by sponsors Clif Bar, Sore No More, Black Diamond and Sorrel River Ranch Resort.
"Volunteer and sponsor participation this year was incredible," said race director Ranna Bieschke. "This event gets bigger every year and there's no way it would happen without [their] support."
Sponsors include Moab Adventure Center, who provided shuttle service to runners and equipment; Eastern Utah Community Credit Union, Great Harvest Bread Company and Moab Valley Inn.
The volunteer corps included members of Canyonlands Community Recycling, who worked with Daystar Adventist Academy volunteers to sort all trash generated at the event into recyclables, compost and trash. All 25,000 water and Gatorade cups and water cups handed out at the course's six aid stations are compostable and will be delivered to a composting facility in Grand Junction by race staff.
"We've been working to reduce the environmental impact of our races over time" said Bieschke. "Canyonlands Community Recycling has really helped us step up that effort. We're happy to be able to help and are excited about the example MHM is setting," said Canyonlands Community Recycling Director Rani Derasary. "Event organizers are welcome to contact the race about increasing recycling and reuse of items that events generate."
Bieschke and staff are looking forward to the Moab Half Marathon's third and final race of the year, the Winter Sun 10K, on December 3rd. The race starts at the Moab Golf Course and ends at the Grand County High School-downhill nearly the entire way. Registration is available at: moabhalfmarathon.org
8th The Other Half
Moab, UT, Sunday, October 16, 2011
MEN
1) Joshua Steffen, Salt Lake City, UT, 1:13:52
2) Mark Pokora, Pikerington, OH, 1:18:55
3) Bernie Boettcher, 49, Silt, CO, 1:18:59
4) Chaiwat Engtrakul, Louisville, CO, 1:19:05
5) Mickey Wilson, Park City, UT, 1:19:11
MASTERS MEN (40+)
1) Boettcher, see above
2) Marty Wacker, 40, Grand Junction, CO, 1:22:40
3) Matthew Frank, 44, Louisville, CO, 1:25:55
WOMEN
1) Stephanie Meredith, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:27:37
2) Kari-Ann Samuelson, Denver, CO, 1:28:16
3) Laura Eakin, Commerce City, CO, 1:30:56
4) Paige Eyering, 43, Park City, UT, 1:30:56
5) Michelle Campbell, 40, Riverton, UT, 1:31:28
MASTERS WOMEN (40+)
1) Eyering, see above
2) Campbell, see above
3) Robin Blankenbaker, 47, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:35:15