In Their Backyard, New York Area Runners Shine at More Magazine Marathon and Half-Marathon
Fourth annual event brings out the best in the local field
New York, March 25, 2007—More than 4,800 women took part in the in the fourth annual More Magazine Marathon and Half-Marathon on a chilly, damp morning in Central Park. Among them were thousands of tri-state runners and New York Road Runners members who shared in the unique spirit and energy of the event. The marathon is the world’s only marathon (26.2 miles) exclusively for women age 40 and over; the half-marathon (13.1 miles) allows women of any age to run as a team with an over-40 partner, with times combined for scoring purposes.
NYRR members posted strong showings in both events. First-place half-marathon team honors went to Lyubov Denisova (1:16:49), a 35-year-old Russian marathon specialist who resides in Gainesville, FL, and often trains in New York City, and Trina Painter (1:19:10), 40, of Flagstaff, AZ. Their combined time of 2.35:59 put them in front of a runner-up team of locals: West Side Runners teammates Claudia Camargo (1:17:27), 35, of Danbury, CT, and Lilian Kroner (1:30:29), 41, of Monroe, NY. Denisova came in first in the half with a time of 1:16:49.
Denisova has many local fans, as she has claimed podium spots at the ING New York City Marathon twice (second, 2002; third, 2004). She also finished second at the Boston Marathon in 2003, has won the City of Los Angeles Marathon twice, and is the reigning Honolulu Marathon champion. Denisova said she comes to New York to train regularly.
“I love running in Central Park,” she said. “I really like the rolling hills and the ups and downs and winds in the course.” Denisova will run the Boston Marathon on April 16 and did this race as her final tune-up.
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Camargo, the 2006 Fred Lebow Runner of the Year, has had a spectacular past 12 months in running. She placed sixth at the 2006 NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE in 1:13:39 and 13th at the ING New York City Marathon 2:35:04, both personal-best times. Running with a chest cold today, Camargo still looked strong as she crossed the finish line, having run most of the race with Denisova.
“This was a great training run for me,” Camargo said. “I am getting ready for the ING Ottowa Marathon on May 27.”
Kroner, who finished with a smile in 1:30:29, also ran this race in 2005 and 2006. “This is home and it’s great to run at home with such a strong group of women,” said, the 2006 NYRR Runner of the Year age 40-44. “Today was our day, and I am happy with my run.”
The third-place team consisted of New Jersey residents Dawne Hausman (1:31:15), 42, of Summit, and Kathleen Castles (1:20:46), 35, of New Providence; Castles was the fourth-place individual finisher, behind Denisova, Camargo, and Painter. Another outstanding individual performance was posted by New York Harriers member Kerin Maganzini, 28, of New York City, who was sixth with a time of 1:26:11.
Danielle Mullen-Rosario, 26, of the Bronx, a member of the Van Cortlandt Track Club, powered through at the finish line with a beaming smile and posted a time of 1:32:53, good for 22nd place in the individual standings.
“I loved running with women,” she said. “It was really inspiring and made me run one of my fastest races ever. I can’t wait to come back next year.”
In the marathon, Susan Loken, 43, of Flagstaff, AZ, made it a three-peat with her win in 2:47:52. Behind her in second place was Moving Comfort New York member and New York City resident Gordon Bakoulis, 46, who ran 3:11:24.
“What an incredibly supportive atmosphere!” Bakoulis said. “The cheers and encouragement from thousands of women runners and walkers never let up for 26 miles.”
Another New Yorker, Sonia Richardson, 56, placed fifth in the marathon with a time of 3:27:06.
“This was such a supportive crowd,” Richardson said, “and it was just a great race because of that. It’s the kind of race that only gets you excited to run it again next year.”
Claudia Camargo, NYRR’s 2006 Runner of the Year, finished second overall (1:17:27) in the More Magazine Half-Marathon.
