Nov 20, 2005 2:19 pm US/Eastern
Local Runner Wins Philadelphia Marathon
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―
Emily Kroshus, a city resident, made her first completed marathon a memorable one by winning the women's title in Sunday's Philadelphia Marathon.
Kroshus, 22, pulled away from runner-up Larisa Michailova of Russia at the 12-mile mark and went on to finish the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 43 minutes, 7 seconds.
Kenya's Joseph Nderitu took the men's race in 2:21.02, easily outdistancing Joshua Koros of Kenya (2:22.52).
In the women's race, Kroshus took control just before the midpoint and never looked back.
A former All-America track runner at Princeton University, Kroshus said she attempted a marathon last year but made several mistakes and didn't finish.
In her mind, Sunday's race was all about getting it right.
"I tried New York last year and made every single classic mistake," she said. "I just tried to relax today and finish."
Kroshus, a native of Canada, is a financial analyst.
She said she was determined not to repeat the mistakes she made in New York.
"Overtraining, not tapering, going out way too fast, not drinking any water and not having any energy gels," she said, listing the errors. "Today was just to prove to myself I could actually handle the distance."
Winning in Philadelphia, her adopted hometown, is a dream come true.
"It was really exciting," she said. "I was almost crying halfway through when people were cheering."
Michailova, who won the race last year, said: "Today the winner is very good. I gave congratulations to her."
Nderitu, the 2003 Philadelphia winner, made his move at mile 23, dropping Koros with a surge that left him in front by 25 seconds at mile 24.
"I looked over and saw he was not coming," Nderitu said. "I knew he was not that strong to beat me."
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