2 April, 2006

CONTACTS: (Please do not publish these numbers. THE NUMBER FOR PUBLICATION IS THE RACE HOTLINE AT 301-320-3350):

Frank McNally
Media Coordinator
703-801-2566 (cell); 703 572-4040 (d); 540-338-5648 (e)

Phil Stewart
Event Director
301-320-6865 (d); 301-802-2194 (cell)

Lidiya Grigoryeva Sets World Record at Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile; Kenya's Gilbert Okari Blasts to Victory for Men

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It is not often that a runner has the opportunity to make history. But that is exactly the situation Lidiya Grigoryeva faced on Sunday morning in the 2006 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in West Potomac Park.

An early start time for the event’s female competitors meant whoever finished first would set a new world record for a 10-mile, closed-loop course. The 32-year-old Russian was shoulder-to-shoulder with countrywoman Alevtina Ivanova before opening up a 100-meter lead around the eight-mile mark and cruising to victory with a winning time of 52 minutes, 11 seconds.

Meanwhile, Kenyan Gilbert Okari, the favorite entering the men’s race, showed why down the stretch. Okari broke away from a group of four other runners in the final mile to finish with a top time of 47:25 and outlast countryman Samuel Ndereba (47:35). It was the first win at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run for Okari, who placed third here in 2003 (47:07) and fourth last spring (47:16).

“Last year the conditions were so difficult, too cold, too windy,” said Okari, who was the runner-up at the World’s Best 10K earlier this year. “This time it was perfect. I felt really strong for the last mile.”

The total purse was a record $31,500 with the top male and female runners earning $6,000 each. Kenyans Rueben Kibet Chebii (47:39) and Wilson Komen (47:58) finished third and fifth respectively in the men’s race. Kazuo Ietani of Japan was barely edged by Kibet Chebii and earned fourth with a time of 47:39. Matt Downin (48:43) of Norwood, N.J. had the highest finish for an American by placing sixth and earned an all-expenses paid trip to the Hemiji 10 Mile Run in Japan, the Cherry Blossom’s sister race.

Patrick MacAdie, a Washington, D.C. resident, was the top local male finisher and Mary Kate Bailey of Arlington, Va. was the top local female finisher. Both will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the PRRO Race of Champions at the 2006 Peachtree Road Race. 

Grigoryeva entered the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run fresh off a victory at the Los Angeles Marathon last month.

“It feels so good to build on my win in Los Angeles,” said Grigoryeva, the runner-up here in 2001. “But the reason I came back here, and why I enjoy this race so much, is because of what it does for the Children’s Miracle Network.”

Ivanova (52:39) placed second overall. She and Grigoryeva finished well ahead of Romanians Lidia Simon (55:18) and Luminita Talpos (55:33). Turena Johnson Lane of Muncie, IN had the best showing of any American woman (55:42) and took fifth, setting a new American record in the process.

This year’s charity recipient is the Children’s Miracle Network, which will receive a donation of over $500,000. This brings the total charitable contributions to over 1.5 million dollars since the Credit Union Miracle Day Committee became the title sponsor in 2002. The event also funds two $5,000 grants for developing U.S. distance runners as part of the Road Runners Club of America Roads Scholar program.