Top female finishes Sun Run in under 40 minutes

Gary Kingston, Vancouver Sun

Published: Sunday, April 20, 2008

VANCOUVER -- It was the slowest Sun Run 10K for elite women since 1991, but the top finishers still had reason to celebrate and feel warm inside Sunday on a cool morning on the streets of Vancouver.
Genet Gebregiorgis, running competitively for just the second time since taking four years off because of a heel injury, became the second consecutive winner out of Ethiopia by crossing the line in 33 minutes, 35 seconds.
"Very good . . . because I stop running for my injury. I'm injured here," said Gebregiorgis, pointing to her right heel. "Second time [racing] after four years.
"So I am very happy to win this competition," added the 25-year-old, who lives in Maryland with her boyfriend, a soccer player.
In her limited, fractured English, Gebregiorgis was unable to detail the exact nature of injury except to say "maybe too much road racing."
She said no surgery was required and it was treated with "hot lights" and rest.
"I completely stop. No running."
Her time was nearly three minutes off the course record of 30:55 set by Isabella Ochichi of Kenya in 2006 and the slowest Sun Run clocking since Patricia Puntous of Kelowna won in 1991 in 33:48 on the old course that went around the perimeter of Stanley Park and and did not cross Burrard Bridge onto Sixth Ave. as the current configuration does.
Gebregiorgis, who picked up $3,000 for the win, finished 23 seconds ahead of former Canadian Olympian Lisa Harvey of Calgary, who was delighted to come in second, particularly at the age of 38.
"It's such a tough race, so many good competitors," said Harvey, who has done half a dozen Sun Runs. "I was so happy, I was like 'I'm in second place in the Sun Run! Wow!"
Harvey, who was third last season in 33:40, ran her first Sun Run in 1993 on the old course. Her time of 33:07 that year when she was second to Leah Pells of Vancouver still stands as her best 10K road course clocking.
Harvey, who earned $1,000 as the second-place woman and $2,000 as top Canadian, says she lost sight of Gebregiorgis soon after the start on Georgia St. But she was surprised to find herself within hailing distance in the final couple of kilometres.
"I went by Cheryl Murphy [fourth in 34:14] and Kristy Smith [third in 34:12] and people were saying 'she's 100 yards ahead' and stuff like that. But I was just focussing on the guys ahead of me and trying to stay ahead of everybody else."
With temperatures just above zero on an unseasonably cool April morning, Harvey said she was in her element.
"I'm from Calgary, so I'm used to it. And once you get running and warmed up, it's perfect really. I ran Friday morning at home before it started really snowing there."
Harvey ran two marathons last year and plans to run the Toronto Marathon in late September with a goal of trying to qualify for the 2009 world championships. She needs to run two hours, 43:00 minutes by May of next year to qualify, but her personal best is five minutes off that pace.
"I'm a 10K specialist and the marathon has been a real stretch. I have to keep working on it."
Harvey says she no intention of slowing down as she closes in on age 40.
As for the secret to her competitive longevity: "I think probably a good attitude. And I just like being fit. I just love racing and being fit and being around all these cool people."

TOP 10 ELITE FEMALE RESULTS

Genet Gebregiorgis, of Ethiopia, was the first woman to cross the finish line at the 10-kilometre Sun Run this morning, clocking a time of 33 minutes, 36 seconds.

Lisa Harvey, of Calgary, finished second overall and was the top Canadian in the 24th annual race with a time of 33:58.

The two women were followed by:

Kirsty Smith, Victoria, 34:12

Cheryl Murphy, Victoria 34:14

Edyta Sieminska, Edmonton 35:11

Marilyn Arsenault, Victoria 35:14

Suzanne Evans, New Westminster 35:25

Paula Wiltse, Kingston, Ont., 35:29

Natalie Thompson, Calgary 35:56

Rachel Ruus, Richmond 36:23