KAANAPALI, Maui, HI - (Sept. 19, 2004) - The 34th Maui Marathon winner's circle proved to be paradise for a studious marathon first-timer and a seasoned marathon standout with a penchant for finish-line acrobatics.
Jacob Rotich, 27, of Kenya, running in his debut marathon, covered the seaside course in 2 hours, 28 minutes and 14 seconds. Jeannie Wokasch, 42, of Honolulu claimed her fifth Maui Marathon victory in 3:11:37.
Rotich, a graduate student at Harding University in Arkansas where he won the NCAA Division II 10,000 meter title last May, put his endurance training to the test and ran uncontested throughout most of the race. Prior to race, Rotich had never raced a distance greater than 10,000 meters.
"The marathon (distance) is very challenging," said Rotich. "At the 40K point, I thought I was not going to finish." But finish he did, pocketing $1,500 in prize money in the process.
No novice to goal-setting and homework, Rotich will finish his master's degree in business administration this December and would like to pursue a doctorate degree.
"I want to be a consultant," said Rotich, who also has his sights set on making the 2008 Kenyan Olympic team.
Greg Wenneborg of Tucson, AZ, placed second in 2:34:28 and Kota Kiriyama of Japan placed third in 2:40:15. Wenneborg won the event in 2000-01.
A finisher of over 25 marathons with a 2:40 personal best, Wokasch parlayed her vast marathon experience into a calculated win and $2,250 in prize money ($1,500 first woman overall and $750 first female masters finisher.) Wokasch maintained a steady pace to move up from a fourth place posit
ion, finally securing the lead at 15 miles.
Both Rotich and Wokasch competed in the Maui Tacos 5K and Front Street Mile the day earlier, Rotich winning the 5K in 15:07 just 3 seconds shy of the course record and Wokasch placing second in woman overall in 18:35.
A mother of three, Wokasch conserved enough energy and fun-loving attitude at the end of her races to execute what has become her signature finish-line cartwheel. "I do the cartwheel just for fun," said Wokasch. "Running is fun."
Peggy Nelson-Panzer of Aurora, CO placed second woman in 3:19:29 and Mary Cote of Basalt, CO placed third in 3:21:53.
The sold-out inaugural Maui Half Marathon debuted with a big splash with close to 1,100 participants in the scenic out-and-back course through the historic whaling village of Lahaina.
"Everything went smoothly and according to plan," said Bob Craver, race director of the Maui Marathon and Maui Half Marathon. "We will look at increasing the field for the Half next year."
Mathew Holden of Flagstaff, AZ won the men's division in 1:09.10 and Shelly Snyder of Lahaina, HI was first female in 1:37:05.
Recognized as one of the most scenic marathons in the world, the point-to-point Maui Marathon course starts in Kahului and runs along the picturesque Pacific Ocean and through of Lahaina before finishing in Whaler's Village in Kaanapaili. Over 1,700 runners from 16 countries and 48 states p
articipated in this year's event. Complete race results can be found at www.mauimarathon.com.
34th Maui Marathon
Kaanapali, HI, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
MEN
1) Jacob Rotich, Kenya 2:28:14 $1,500
2) Greg Wenneborg, Tucson, AZ 2:34:28 $750
3) Kota Kiriyama, Japan 2:40:15 $500
4) Jonathan Lyau, Honolulu, HI 2:43:23 $750*
*First male masters
WOMEN
1) Jeannie Wokasch, Honolulu, HI, 3:11:37 $2,250*
2) Peggy Nelson-Panzer, Aurora, CO, 3:19:29 $750
3) Mary Cote, Basalt, CO, 3:21:40 $500
*$1,500 first place woman, $750 first female masters
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