Boaz Kipyego wins Anthem Richmond Marathon; Bose Gemeda Asseta claims women’s title

Kipkemboi, Sachtleben take Markel Richmond Half Marathon crowns

Marathon was held with fall colors

Bose Gemeda Asseta, of Ethiopia, was the first female to cross the finish line, coming in with a time of 2:39:04. Keira D’Amato finished just behind Asseta in 2:40:56. D’Amato, of Midlothian, Virginia, is a former All-American in crosscountry at American University and finished fourth in the 2017 Anthem Richmond Marathon. Kate Sanborn, of West Point, New York, came in third with a time of 2:44:04, followed by Emily Hulme of Easton, Pennsylvania, in 2:45:48.

Asseta, D’Amato, Sanborn, and Hulme each also earn $500 bonuses for finishing in times under 2:46.

In the Markel Richmond Half Marathon, Nicholas Kipkemboi of Kenya took the men’s title in a time of 1:03:02. Louis Serafini of Brighton, Massachusetts, came in second at 1:04:53, followed by Daniel Jaskowak of Blacksburg, Virginia, in third at 1:04:59.

In the women’s race, Bethany Sachtleben, of Alexandria, Virginia, finished first in a time of 1:13:35. Sachtleben, who was the first-place female finisher in the 2017 Anthem Richmond Marathon, edged out Becki Spellman of Galloway, Ohio, who came in at 1:14:56, and Sarah Hutchings of Boulder, Colorado, who came in third with a time of 1:16:03.

Craig Nowak of Greenville, South Carolina, won his second consecutive VCU Health 8k with a time of 22:54, followed by Austin Stealgall, also of Greenville, in 22:59, and Aaron Nelson of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in 23:02. Eglay Nalyanya and Pamela Cherotich, both of Kenya, took the top two spots in the women’s race, followed by Brittany Perkins in third. Nalyanya’s winning time was 26:52, while Cherotich finished in 26:59 and Perkins in 27:39.

The top three local marathon runners, male and female, were also awarded prize money in the eighth-annual Richmond Region Marathon Championship. Bryce Wilk, of Chesterfield, Virginia, was the first male from the Richmond region to cross the finish line with a time of 2:36:25, while Midlothian’s D’Amato was the first female finisher from the region in the women’s race with her time of 2:40:56. Nearly 18,000 runners took part in all three races combined, with participants coming from all 50 states and 20 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets to cheer on runners as they made their way to the riverfront finish in downtown Richmond.

The sixth-annual Whole Foods Market Marathon, Jr., a kids-only running event tied to the Anthem Richmond Marathon, was held on October 27. Over 900 children ages 4-14 participated in the event, which is a past winner of the ‘Youth Running Event of the Year’ award given by the Running USA industry group.