Kiptoo and Alyanak Finish First on New Hyde Park Blast Course
Gillette and Olay partner to support Elite Field and Team Challenge
(Cincinnati, OH) June 28, 2008 – More than 4,000 participants came together in the fight against cancer as they took part in the 7th Annual Hyde Park Blast presented by Toyota. The event included Ohio's 4-Mile RRCA Championship, a new, challenging course that has been recognized as one of the area's coolest and most scenic residential courses. The elite runners and teams started at 9:15 a.m.
The men's field was tight at the start with a big pack of 10 runners in the first mile at a sub 5-minute pace which continue through mile two. The runners maintained the fast pace through mile 2 and then the pack started to spread out at mile 2.5 with Kiptoo, Korir and Woods at the forefront. Woods dropped behind at the 3 mile mark and Kiptoo and Korir took off down the stretch to the finish, Julius Kiptoo sprinted away from Korir to win. "This was my first race in Cincinnati. The course was very nice and it was a tough field. We were in tight pack for the first mile and then I was able to break away," said Julius Kiptoo. He added, "The people in Cincinnati are very nice."
The women's race was an Ohio-Kentucky challenge with fast times for the women on the new, challenging course. Ann Alyanak and Leigh Daniel, both from Ohio, finished first and second respectively. "The Hyde Park Blast is a fun 4-mile race and I enjoyed the new course," said Ann Alyanak. Alyanak has been a strong contender at the Blast over the last several years and placed seventh at the Olympic Trials for the marathon, is the head coach of University of Dayton's women's cross-country program, and placed second at the Boston Marathon in 2007. Leigh Daniel and Jen Alessandro have also been strong finishers in the past.
The Blast awarded overall elite prizes and a new travel award. This year the Blast introduced a new elite team challenge to encourage more participation from regional and national teams. Presented by Gillette and Olay there was also an added prize money component for elite teams that consisted of three runners.
Men’s
- Julius Kiptoo (KEN), 18:39, $1,000 and $2000-5 night stay for two in Jamaica from Superclubs
- Wesley Korir (KEN), 18:51, $750
- Ryan Woods (USA/NC), 19:14, $500
- Matt Folk (USA/OH), 19:22, $250 and 1st Place Ohio, 1-year gym membership at Urban Active
- John Supsic (USA/CO), 19:25, $100
- Birhanu Wukaw (USA/OH), 19:40, 2nd Place Ohio, 6-month gym membership at Urban Active
- Derrick Butler (USA/OH), 19:47, 3rd Place Ohio, 3-month gym membership at Urban Active
Women's
- Ann Alyanak (USA/OH), 22:24, $1,000 and $2000-5 night stay for two in Jamaica from Superclubs and 1 year gym membership at Urban Active
- Leigh Daniel (USA/OH), 22:51, $750 and 6-month gym membership at Urban Active
- Jen Alessandro (USA/KY), 23:33, $500
- Melissa Converse (USA/OH), 23:39, $250 and 3rd Place Ohio, 3-month gym membership at Urban Active
- Becki Michael (USA/OH), 23:55, $100
Teams – Men
- Team Co: Ryan Woods (19:14), John Supsic (19:25), Josh Glaab (19:33); 58:12, $1,500
- Fleet Feet 1: Wesley Korir (18:51), Thad Schroeder (20:26), Justin Banks (20:41); 59:58, $1,000
- Run Ohio: Matt Folk (19:22), Nick Cordes (20:17), Nick Kruse (21:19); 1:00:58, $500
Teams – Women
- Run Ohio: Ann Alyanak (22:24), Leigh Daniel (22:51), Melissa Converse (23:39); 1:08:54, $1,500
- Columbus Running: Becki Michael (23:55), Liz Trapp (24:54), Krista Seibert (25:03); 1:13:52, $1,000
- Fleet Feet Louisville: Jen Alessandro (23:33), Erin Swalley (25:59), Cara Nichols (26:57); 1:16:29, $500
"We are very excited to have both Gillette and Olay partner up to help support our elite field and new team challenge which should be a great element that grows every year. The Superclubs trips also provided a good deal of motivation for the top spots. It was great to have the separate elite start so that the main field and all of the spectators could watch the elite race from multiple places on the course. We get a great field every year and now the other participants can enjoy the elite race while cooling down from their efforts," says Chad Sims, event co-founder.
The 7th Annual Hyde Park Blast also included a Blast for Kids, criterium bike race and a large evening post-race party.
Proceeds from the event will go to the three benefiting charities – Give Back Cincinnati, the Wellness Community, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
More information about the Hyde Park Blast is available online at
www.hpblast.com, or by calling 513.533.7323.