Soldotna runner Megan Youngren led peninsula runners Saturday at the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage with a runner-up finish in the women’s race.
Youngren trailed women’s champion Marine Dusser of Anchorage across the line by a scant 22 seconds, finishing with a time of 3 hours, 6 minutes, 11 seconds, and was 11th overall in the field of 656. Fairbanks’ Ashley Perry was third in 3:17:47.
Youngren led the women’s field for much of the race, including the final split section at mile 21.9 when she held a four-minute lead over Dusser, but Dusser was able to finished strong to grab the win.
Lauren Kuhns of Homer placed two peninsula runners in the top five, taking fifth in the marathon in a time of 3:22:59.
In the men’s marathon, Paul Rottich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, won in a sizzling time of 2:27:19, almost 22 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, Chicago runner Joshua Herzberg, who ran a time of 2:49:01.
The Mayor’s Half Marathon was won by Caroline Kurgat, both the women’s and overall winner, in a time of 1:13:51. Kurgat crossed the finish line together with fellow UAA teammate Felix Kemboi.
MEN
Marathon
Top 10 — 1. Paul Rottich, Albuquerque NM, 2:27:19; 2. Joshua Herzberg, Chicago Ill, 2:49.01; 3. Josh Panasuk, Missoula MT, 2:51:30; 4. Mike Brunette, Libertyville IL, 2:56:03; 5. Noble Gurney, Palmer, 2:57:57; 6. William Graham, Anchorage, 2:58:23; 7. Michael Maloney, Minneapolis MN, 2:59:56; 8. Albert Marban, Dallas TX, 3:00:44; 9. Austin Huneck, Anchorage, 3:04:35; 10. Ryan Morgan, Missoula MT, 3:06:14.
Peninsula finishers — 229. Ronnie Plate II, Soldotna, 4:49:16.
Half Marathon
Top 10 — 1. Felix Kemboi, Anchorage, 1:13:51; 2. Brian Sweeney, Anchorage, 1:14:18; 3. Ryan Cox, Anchorage, 1:15:23; 4. Sam Tilly, Indian, 1:18:36; 5. Koji Tanaka, Hiroshima JPN, 1:19:08; 6. Preston Wethington, Anchorage, 1:23:03; 7. Samuel Johnston, Scottsdale AZ, 1:23:20; 8. Richie Johnston, Scottsdale AZ, 1:24:16; 9. John McCulley, Bend OR, 1:24:39; 10. Josh Taylor, Wasilla, 1:25:14.
Peninsula finishers — 75. Daniel Meuninck, Seward, 1:44:51; 79. Justin Lee, Soldotna, 1:45:16; 110. Don Connelly, Soldotna, 1:51:11; 164. Peter Cannava, Soldotna, 1:58:18; 192. Roy Stuckey, Soldotna, 2:02:05; 200. Bill Taylor, Kenai, 2:03:13.
5K
Top 10 — 1. John Mushett, Anchorage, 16:30; 2. Max Hartke, Chugiak, 16:47; 3. Slade Manning, Anchorage, 17:04; 4. Connor Owens, Palmer, 17:43; 5. Todd Jackson, Anchorage, 17:57; 6. Koster Lynch, Kennewick WA, 18:20; 7. Paul Oldenburg, Anchorage, 18:29; 8. William Stanko, London KY, 18:35; 9. Max Johnson, Anchorage, 18:36; 10. Matt Tompkins, Anchorage, 18:48.
Peninsula finishers — 67. John Pothast, Soldotna, 29:17; 157. David Morris, Soldotna, 1:08:15.
WOMEN
Marathon
Top 10 — 1. Marine Dusser, Anchorage, 3:05:49; 2. Megan Youngren, Soldotna, 3:06:11; 3. Ashley Perry, Fairbanks, 3:17:47; 4. Elizabeth Kiblinger, St. Louis MO, 3:17:47; 5. Lauren Kuhns, Homer, 3:22:59; 6. Molly Templin, Anchorage, 3:25:00; 7. Shannon Perrins, Anchorage, 3:26:00; 8. Colby Woeltz, Boston MA, 3:27:31; 9. Aubra Lewellen, Portland OR, 3:27:43; 10. Lara Zoeller, Eagle River, 3:29:41.
Peninsula finishers — 27. Kristen Buckwalter, Homer, 3:50:48; 69. Elizabeth Roedl, Homer, 4:15:10; 275. Kristen Downum, Kenai, 7:16:36.
Half Marathon
Top 10 — 1. Caroline Kurgat, Anchorage, 1:13:51; 2. Elena Danielson, St. Joseph MN, 1:26:55; 3. Nancy Jeptoo, Anchorage, 1:29:02; 4. Emily Evans, Anchorage, 1:30:51; 5. Laura McDonald, Los Angeles CA, 1:31:44; 6. Nicole Zanardi, San Francisco CA, 1:35:06; 7. Lindy Henrick, Anchorage, 1:35:35; 8. Greta Koppy, Ames IA, 1:36:53; 9. Jacalyn Stark, Anchorage, 1:37:02; 10. Lucy Swygman, 1:38:53.
Peninsula finishers — 45. Kat Sorensen, Seward, 1:52:48; 82. Jodi Hanson, Soldotna, 2:00:24; 197. Cynthia McMillin, Sterling, 2:15:40; 231. Sidney Epperheimer, Kenai, 2:18:04; 232. June Stuckey, Soldotna, 2:18:05; 235. Bailey Epperheimer, Kenai, 2:18:17; 313. Cecilia Borries-Strigle, Kenai, 2:26:12; 340. Shelli Furlong, Soldotna, 2:29:10; 364. Lisa Kosto, Soldotna, 2:31:59; 383. Jesse Hughes, Soldotna, 2:33:52; 443. KatieMae Tallent, Kenai, 2:43:59; 446. Copper Fuller, Kenai, 2:44:29; 518. Jessica Scogin, Soldotna, 2:56:40; 618. Peggy Leonard, Ninilchik, 3:26:04; 688. Kathryn Epperheimer, Kenai, 3:56:46.
5K
Top 10 — 1. Hallidie Phillips, Anchorage, 18:06; 2. Jenna Fasulo, Morrisville PA, 19:01; 3. Clarissa Smith, Anchorage, 20:18; 4. Arielle Breuninger, Lancaster PA, 20:29; 5. Michelle Witt, Anchorage, 20:40; 6. Ashlee Weller, Anchorage, 20:43; 7. Denali Kemppel, Anchorage, 21:49; 8. Laura Martin, Charleston WV, 22:18; 9. Milana Breuninger, Lancaster PA, 22:26; 10. Katarina Lukic, Eagle River, 22:52.
Peninsula finishers — 27. Susan Craig, Soldotna, 26:07; 57. Sheilah-Margaret Pothast, Soldotna, 29:16; 147. Heather Swanson, Soldotna, 37:05; 152. Yoshie Yamaoka, Soldotna, 37:54; 161. Kerri Nelson, Soldotna, 38:36; 215. Mary Hasson, Hom, 49:25.
Buddy Half Relay 3-person
Top 5 — 1. Blister Sisters, Anchorage, 1:54:28; 2. The Stragglers, Eagle River, 2:17:41; 3. Quiner Family, Kenai, 2:18:04; 4. Schleicher Gals, Freeport MN, 2:22:57; 5. Poland Go!, Anchorage, 2:31:33.
