For Immediate Release

Karen Fredette, 412-952-5202

U.S. Athlete Eggleston ‘Rabbits’ at a 2:19:00 Pace Through Mile 18, Then Storms to  Victory in 2:16:40

at the 2011 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

American Women Lebeaud and Philbrook Achieve Olympic Trials Qualifying Times

Pittsburgh, PA; May 16, 2011 – With a temperature in the 60s, and a drizzle that didn’t dampen runners’ spirits, the May 15, 2011, running of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon and the FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay was underway.  The City of Bridges hosted a sold-out field of 18,000 registered participants as well as cheering crowds and 60 bands all along the marathon route.

Men’s champion Jeffrey Eggleston was the elite rabbit, hired to set the pace for the 2:19 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifying “A” standard. The role kept him in the second pack through most of the race. At mile 18, his role as rabbit was complete, and Eggleston moved ahead to join the leaders  -- a pack comprised exclusively of Kenyans and Ethiopians, including Birir, Rutoh, Deneko, and Bokain.  At mile 25, the American made his decisive move, storming into victory twenty-nine seconds in front of David Rutoh, with a time of 2:16:40 – and his first marathon win.

Race director Patrice Matamoros comments, “It was a great race, a great day, and a great U.S. victory for one of the country’s top ten American male marathon runners, Jeffrey Eggleston.”

In the women’s race, Yihunlish Bekele Delelecha of Ethiopia won the day in a time of 2:35:36. She was followed by fellow Ethiopians, Serkalem Abrha and Tezeta Dengersa.  Another of their countrymen, Alemtsehay Misganaw, turned in a stellar marathon debut with a time of 2:38:57, but was disqualified because she was registered for the half marathon.

Two American women achieved the Olympic Trials Qualifying “B” Standard: Natasha Labeaud of Flagstaff, AZ, and Lauren Philbrook of State College, PA.

MALE WINNERS: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Jeffrey Eggleston, 26, USA, 2:16:40 ($6,500)

2               David Rutoh, 25, Kenya, 2:17:09 ($4,000)

3               Tariku Bokain, 2:17:43 ($2,000)

4               Isaac Birir, 31, Kenya, 2:17:54 ($1,000)

5               Teklu Tefera Deneko, 31, Ethiopia, 2:18:33 ($500)

FEMALE WINNERS: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Yihunlish Bekele Delelecha , Ethiopia, 2:35:36 ($6,500)

2               Serkalem Abrha, 24, Ethiopia, 2:39:14 ($4,000)

3               Tezeta Dengersa, 28, Ethiopia, 2:40:07 ($2,000)

4               Alice Ndirangu, 31, Kenya, 2;41:31 ($1,000)

5               Natasha Labeaud, 23, USA (Flagstaff, AZ) ($500)

MALE WINNERS: UPMC Health Plan Half Marathon

1               Nicholas Kurgat, 32, Kenya 1:03:38 ($2,500)

2               Ketema Nigusse, 1:03:57($1,000)

3               Kipeyegon Kirui, 30, Kenya 1:04:22 ($500)

4               Tesfaye Assefadube, Ethiopia, 1:04:23 ($350)

5               George Towett, Kenya, 1:04:45 ($250)

FEMALE WINNERS: UPMC Health Plan Half Marathon

1               Malika Mejdoub, 29, Morocco, 1:14:26 ($2500)

2               Aziza Aliyu, 26, Ethiopia, 1:14:27 ($1,000)

3               Megan Wright, 29, Canada, 1:15:07 ($500)

4               Divina Jepkogei, 26, Kenya, 1:15:15 ($350)

5               Irina Mashkantseva, 27, Russia, 1:15:42 ($250)

MALE MASTERS WINNERS: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Eric Laughlin, 41, USA (Ohio) 2:35:25 ($1,000)

2               James Hommes, 40, USA (Pittsburgh, PA), 2:37:31 ($500)

3               Michael Murphy, 40, USA (Florida), 2:39:18 ($250)

FEMALE MASTERS WINNERS: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Cheryl Collins-Gatons, 44, USA (Greensburg, PA), 2:57:07 ($1,000)

2               Tammy Slusser, 46, USA (Monroeville, PA), 3:09:02 ($500)

3               Sherri Martin, 49, USA (West Alexander, PA) 3:17:44 ($250)

MALE WINNERS PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Josh Christopher, 22, Pittsburgh, PA, 2:33:42 ($1,000)

2               A. J. Kelly, 29, Altoona, PA, 2:37:28 ($500)

3               James Hommes, 40, Pittsburgh, PA, 2:37:31 ($250)

FEMALE WINNERS PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

1               Lauren Philbrook, 23, State College, PA, 2:45:13 ($1,000)

2               Cheryll Collins-Gatons, 44, Greensburg, PA, 2:57:07 ($500)

3                Laura Harnish, 24, Pittsburgh, PA, 2:59:01($250)

WHEELCHAIR COMPETITION

1              Kenneth Bestine, 44, USA (Clymer, NY) 1:32:40 ($300)

The Pittsburgh Marathon is a non-profit organization that promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events for a wide variety of ages and abilities. Sponsors include: Dick’s Sporting Goods, UPMC Health Plan, FedEx Ground, NIKE, UPMC Sports Medicine, GNC Live Well, Sheetz, Cleveland Brothers, PA American Water, EXCO Resources, Willis, Arctic Ease, The Pittsburgh Foundation, KDKA-TV, Trib Total Media, Clear Channel Radio, Gatorade, Eat ‘n Park, NuGo Nutrition, Rothman Gordon, Spirit Airlines, McKnight Realty Partners, Blue  

Water Tavern, Giant Eagle, Good Apples, Guardian Storage Solutions, Panera Bread, Best Buy, The Grable Foundation,  Verizon Wireless, Massage Envy, GU, Shearer’s, LeMont, Dole, Cold Cow Ice Cream, Whirl Publishing, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Monterey Bay Fish Grotto &  Lounge, Balloons Instead, Duquesne Pilsner Beer, Oxford Athletic Club,  Spaghetti Warehouse, Marriott Hotels, Hepatica Flowers, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Bobs Maps, Deeplocal, and Station Square.

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Editors Note: More photos available by request.