Sammy Kiplagat Repeats At Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas
The Texas-based Kenyan broke free after 11 miles.
The Texas-based Kenyan broke free after 11 miles.
DALLAS – Over 14,000 runners gathered today for a the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon, where defending champion and Texas-based Kenyan Sammy Kiplagat crossed the finish line in 1:05:56, while San Antonio resident Emily Daum finished in 1 hour 18 minutes and 15 seconds to win the women’s race.
“It was fantastic today but very cold and windy,” said Kiplagat. “I was running with the second place runner and we helped each other to win. I’ve been preparing for this race for the past two months so I could come back and defend my title. I promised myself I would return this year and win, and I’m happy I did.”
Behind Kiplagat, Enoch Nadler from Richardson, Texas placed second in 1:06:01, while Glenn Randall of Mesa, Colo., second at last month’s Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete Half Marathon, crossed the finish line in 1:06:21 to secure third.
“No one really wanted to take the lead in the beginning because of the wind, and we were dropping back and forth leading to fight against it,” said Nadler, who ran his first half marathon only three weeks ago at the Woodlands Half Marathon. “I planned to wait until about mile 6 to take the lead. Sammy hung strong on my heels and after mile 11 he put on a big surge, which ultimately helped pull me to the finish in about 1:06, which is what I was aiming for in these brutally cold conditions. I knew a lot of people cheering me on along the course which also helped.”
Behind Daum in the women’s race, Dallas residents rounded out the top placing participants with Melisa Christian finishing in second in 1:20:14, and Monika Korra placing third in 1:20:56.
“It was a last-minute decision to run the race as I was visiting family in town,” said Daum, who won her first half marathon today. “The course was awesome, I loved downtown and the neighborhoods in Dallas were gorgeous. On top of some great cheerleaders and spectators, some of the bands actually stopped performing just to say ‘you go girl.’ I really love the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series, it’s well organized and fun.”
Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon Results
Place, Name, Age, Hometown, Time, Prize
Men
1. Sammy Kiplagat, 39, San Antonio, TX, 1:05:56, $500*
2. Enoch Nadler, 27, Richardson, TX, 1:06:01, $250*
3. Glenn Randall, 26, Mesa, CO, 1:06:21
Women
1. Emily Daum, 26, San Antonio, TX, 1:18:15
2. Melisa Christian, 36, Dallas, TX, 1:20:14
3. Monika Korra, 23, Dallas, TX, 1:20:56
*Prize Money based on Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Time Standards and Grand Prix Series