Reyes Rocks The Field In Pasadena
The 2010 U.S. marathon champion was using the race in preparation for April's Boston Marathon.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Pasadena Race Coverage Page
The 2010 U.S. marathon champion was using the race in preparation for April’s Boston Marathon.
PASADENA, Calif. – In true Southern California fashion, there was a Hollywood feel on Sunday morning at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Pasadena Half Marathon benefiting Cure Mito.
Sergio Reyes, the 2010 U.S. marathon champion who hails from Palmdale, Calif., won the men’s race, while Yuri Kano of Japan crossed the finish line first in the women’s race. Reyes, who is training for April’s Boston Marathon, won with a time of 1 hours, 5 minutes and 24 seconds to earn his first ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series victory.
Photo Gallery: Reyes, Kano Rock Pasadena!
“I knew it was going to be a little challenging and the hills started to take their toll though ten, eleven miles. But I was looking forward to this as my only half leading up to Boston and it was a good way to mimic that course,” said Reyes, who finished over two minutes ahead of Mark Bates in second place. “I was able to use the crowd support to keep me motivated. It was a perfect day with good weather, I’m happy.”
Photo Gallery: Along The Course At Rock ‘n’ Roll Pasadena
Kano, who finished in 1:14:36, will run the Nagoya Marathon in Japan on March 11, which is the last selection race to choose the Japanese Women’s Olympic Marathon team for the London Games this summer. She is technically the defending champion of Nagoya, since last year’s marathon was canceled after the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The 2012 Nagoya Marathon will take place on the one year anniversary of the tsunami.
Mary Akor of nearby Hawthorn, California finished second to Kano in 1:15:08. Professional triathlete Magali Tisseyre finished third in 1:22:47, a day after a being involved in a car accident while cycling on a training ride.
“I wasn’t the fastest time, but it wasn’t only the bike crash yesterday and the hard ride, but the triathlon I did last weekend,” said Tisseyre, the third place finisher at the 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championships. “I had a great swim (last weekend) and then hopped on my bike and I had a flat tire. So everything put together I was just here today to race for myself and go as hard as I can. This is more of an experience, than an event. I really needed the motivation because I was destroyed today. The concerts along the course and the crowd, you could tell there was attention to every detail and it help for a great day.”
In support of Cure Mito, a Pasadena-based charity, Grey’s Anatomy actress Chandra Wilson joined co-stars Kim Raver and Justin Chambers to raise awareness and funds for the research and treatment of mitochondrial disease at the 13.1-mile event.
“Cure Mito was my biggest inspiration, which definitely is what got me out here, supporting Chandra and her daughter Sarina. I think when you have something that you are running for it really keeps you going and you want to make a difference for those kids,” said Raver, who plays Dr. Teddy Altman on Grey’s Anatomy and finished her first half-marathon in 2:02:35. “Cure Mito is an amazing organization and I am so happy to be here in support of Chandra, she is such a team player on the set of Grey’s. It was really emotional crossing the finish line and the music on the course was awesome.”
Joining the Grey’s Anatomy cast were several celebrity runners, most notably Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block who finished his first half marathon in 1:53:40. McIntyre was joined at the start line by Access Hollywood’s Kit Hoover (1:40:33) and movie critic Scott “Movie” Mantz (2:01:46), along with Sons of Anarchy actress Kristen Renton (3:06:04).
The event attracted more than 7,000 entrants, who began the race in front of the iconic Rose Bowl façade. Runners ran across the Colorado Bridge, through Old Town Pasadena, around the Brookside Golf Course, enjoying the sights of numerous scenic landmarks, including the Tournament House and the Norton Simon Museum. The event concluded with a finish line festival and post race concert headlined by Sugar Ray.