By Milena and Marie Glusac, Running USA wire

SAN DIEGO, California (August 13, 2000)--"Sizzling speed" sums up San Diego's America's Finest City Half-Marathon.

Christina Pomacu, 27, of Romania, running for only her fourth time on American soil, set a new course record with a time of 1:10:44 (old course record in 1988 by Sylvia Mosqueda, 1:11:31).

"I felt very good," said Pomacu who took the lead from mile two and never relinquished her top status. "I love San Diego," she added with a smile. And why shouldn't she? The Romanian native was strong the duration of her stay in "America's finest city."

On the men's side of the race, Peter Githuka, 31, of Kenya, set a precedent for fellow competitors by establishing a new course record with a time of 1:02:24 (old course record by Patrick Muturi in 1:02:51).

Githuka, who plans to race the Falmouth Road Run next, led from wire to wire. The Kenyan native, who resides in Philadelphia, already had a 20 second lead by mile two. He cruised through 10K in 28:11 and never looked back.

"I felt good about my race," said Githuka. "I was not coming in with thoughts about breaking the record. I am happy."

Strong finishes by Joseph Kamau (1:03:37), Simon Bor (1:03:54), and Mbarak Hussein (1:04:09) rounded out the top four finishers on the men's side. Rounding out the second through fourth place finishers on the women's side were Svetlana Zakharova (1:12:58), Ramilya Burangulova (1:13:45), and Milena Glusac (1:14:33).

The top master's male was Jim Hage (1:12:02) from Latham, MD and the top female was Russian Marina Belyaeva (1:17:27). Victor Martini was the top wheelchair finisher.

Oprah Winfrey was the surprise celebrity athlete, inspiring fellow runners to strive for personal fitness.

The 6,000 plus finishers were graced with beautiful overcast skies for the 23rd annual race.

AFC Half-Marathon
Men
1. Peter Githuka         1:02:24
2. Joseph Kamau          1:03:37
3. Simon Bor             1:03:54
4. Mbarak Hussein        1:04:09
5. Daniel Kihara         1:05:07
6. Nicholas Kioko        1:05:57
7. Gary Stoltz           1:06:14
8. Nazario Romero        1:06:27
9. Elly Rono             1:06:37
10.Andrew Musuva         1:06:50

Women
1. Christina Pomacu      1:10:44
2. Svetlana Zakharova    1:12:58
3. Ramilya Burangulova   1:13:45
4. Milena Glusac         1:14:33
5. Marian Sutton         1:17:06
6. Marina Belyaeva       1:17:28
7. Tamara Lave           1:17:41
8. Rhaina Echols         1:17:58
9. Nicole Hunt           1:17:58
10.Katrina Price-Crosby  1:18:58

Men 40 and over
1. Jim Hage              1:12:02

Women 40 and over
1. Marina Belyaeva       1:17:28

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Special thanks to 
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Coordinator for providing us this press release.
USATF Road Running Information Center
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