Erica Jesseman Wins Hartford Marathon

Ethiopia’s Getachew Melese prevailed in the men’s race.

Last weekend marked the 20th running of the Hartford Marathon in Connecticut.

According to a report on Running USA, 16,000 participants took part in events ranging from a 5K and a half-marathon up to the 26.2-mile race.

For the second straight year, New England’s finest runners swept the top three women’s marathon places. With a time of 2:38:13, Scarborough, Maine runner Erica Jesseman won her second ING Hartford Marathon.  Defending her 2012 ING Hartford Marathon win, Hilary Dionne of Cambridge, Mass. finished second in 2:39:39. Sarah Bard of Somerville, Mass. was third at 2:43:16.

The top three women’s finishers are eligible for additional prize money as part of the New England’s Finest Elite program, which recognizes talented runners from the region.

Women’s half-marathon winner Megan Hogan, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., won with a time of 1:13:19. Pauline Wanjiru of Kenya was second, clocking 1:13:26, while Desta Girma of Ethiopia took third place with a time of 1:13:43.

For More: Running USA