Verran, Cheruiyot Race to a Rare Tie in LaSalle Bank Columbus Half Marathon
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Thousands Brave Un-Spring-Like Conditions

COLUMBUS, OH (April 14, 2007) – Two world-class runners, Daniel Cheruiyot, 33 (Kenya) and Clint Verran, 31 (Lake Orion, Mich.) battled for 13.1 miles in The LaSalle Bank Columbus Half Marathon on Saturday before finishing the road race in a rare tie. Both athletes posted a 1:06:01 finish time after an all-out, neck-and-neck sprint to the finish line in deteriorating weather. Verran drafted off Cheruiyot’s left shoulder throughout the race, but was unable to completely overtake the Kenyan in the final stretch. Both men crossed the finish line at the same moment – according to both electronic timing and eyewitness accounts.

“This was the kind of race we hoped for from our elite runners. It was exciting for the fans to watch two runners battle for 13 miles at a five-minute-per-mile pace,” said David Babner, president of John Bingham Racing. “Columbus offers all the runners a fair, but challenging, race course. There was a lot of buzz and excitement out there today that gave everyone a boost.”

The women’s division saw a close finish as well with only seconds between the first- and second-place finishers. Melissa Converse, 29, of Blacklick, Ohio, posted a 1:22:18 to out-pace Jackie Rzepecki, 28 of Rochester, Minn., who finished in 1:22:36.

In spite of colder than normal spring weather in central Ohio, nearly 4,500 total participants ran or walked in the LaSalle Bank Columbus Half Marathon (3,538), the Commit To Be Fit 5K (891) and the Capital Kids Mascot Chase (157 children ages 12 years and younger). Among them were Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman who completed the 5K in 33:20, placing 13th in his age group (50-54) and Steve Shepard, Senior Vice President of LaSalle Bank’s Commercial Division in Columbus who finished his half marathon debut in 2:01.53, averaging 9:19 per mile.

For more infomation please visit www.ColumbusDistanceClassic.com