Daska, Kiprono Win Bolder Boulder
DENVER (AP) — Having already won two Bolder Boulder 10k races, Mamitu Daska had a good idea what she needed to do to avoid a repeat of last year's second-place finish.
Daska took the lead a mile in and kept it on the way to a victory in the 6.2-mile road race Monday.
"I won here twice by coming out fast and not letting up," Daska said. "That's the only way I know for me to win a race."
The 24-year-old Ethiopian covered the course in 33 minutes, 6.50 seconds. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (33:23.57) was second, and American Deena Kastor (33:28.57) was third.
Kastor won a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympics and is looking to qualify for this summer's London Games in the 10,000 meters on the track.
Cherobon-Bawcom and Kastor were a part of a three-person pack with Daska, running a 5:04 first mile when Daska broke free. Daska had pulled to a 7-second advantage after 4 miles.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bolder Boulder
"We knew she would run this type of race," said Kastor. "She is so strong on hills."
Daska won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. She finished second a year ago to Kenya's Lineth Chepkuriui, who did not return to defend her title.
Kenya's Allan Kiprono was the men's winner in 29:54.43. Tadese Tola (30:03.73) was second and fellow Ethiopian Brihanu Gedefa (30:07.14) was third.
Tola and Gedefa were dead even with Kiprono after two miles. That's when Kiprono made his move as the course reached the hills.
"My whole idea was to push the race right at the climb," Kiprono said. "That got me the separation I wanted and I kept it."
Tola closed the gap in the final 1,000 meters, but didn't have enough kick to reach Kiprono at the finish.
"I let him get too far ahead of me," Tola said. "Hamstring and other injuries kept me from getting to him."
The 2011 winner, Belete Assefa of Ethiopia, did not compete.
Race Results
1. Allan Kiprono, Kenya, ($3,000), 29 minutes and 54.43 seconds.
2. Tadese Tola, Ethiopia, ($2,000), 30:03.73.
3. Brihanu Gedefa, Ethiopia, ($1,500), 30:07.14.
4. Aaron Braun, United States, ($1,000), 30:11.02.
5. Demessew Tsega, Ethiopia, ($800), 30:34.36.
6. Kenyon Neuman, Team Colorado, ($700), 30:36.51,
7. John Korir, Kenya, ($600), 30.42.62.
8. Alejandro Suarez, Mexico, ($500), 30:45.28.
9. Leon Lopez Constantino, Peru, ($400), 30:47.08.
10. Juan Carlos Romero, Mexico, ($300), 30:51.54.
11. Liam Adams, Australia/Oceania, 30:59.40.
12. Paulino Canchanya, Peru, 31:07.79.
13. Chris Barnicle, United States, 31:13.09.
14. Lani Rutto, Kenya, 31:19.53.
15. Diego Alberto Borrego, Mexico, 31:24.78.
16. Jeremy Freed, Team Colorado, 31:33.86.
17. Patrick Rizzo, Team Colorado, 31:39.34.
18. Lee Troop, Australia/Oceania, 31:46.31.
19. Scott Smith, United States, 32:04.07.
20. Jhon Lennon Casallo Lozano, Peru, 32:07.
21. Rob Watson, Canada, 32.35.57.
22. Ottoniel Mucia, Guatemala, 32:48.25.
23. Sami Jabril, Canada, 33:02.57.
24. Mynor Lopez, Guatemala, 33:19.93.
25. Sam Pawluk, Canada, 33:23.97.
26. Victor Manuel Gonzales, Guatamala, 33:38.86.
27. Michael Fox, Australie/Oceania, 34:58.15.
Women
1. Mamitu Daska, Ethiopia, ($3,000), 33:06.50.
2. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, United States, ($2,000), 33.23.57.
3. Deena Kastor, United States, ($1,500), 33;28.48.
4. Kayoko Fukushi, Japan, ($1,000), 33:32.89.
5. Ashu Kasim, Ethiopia, ($800), 34:03.61.
6. Alemitu Abera, Ethiopia, ($700), 34:17.08.
7. Marisol Romero, Mexico, ($600), 34:25.66.
8. Genoveva Kigen, Kenya, ($500), 34.43.44.
9. Adrianna Nelson, Team Colorado, ($400), 34:55.60.
10. Benita Willis, Australia, ($300), 34:58.39.
11. Lanni Marschant, Canada, 35:02.46.
12. Santa Ines Melchor Huiza, Peru, 35:15.13.
13. Jelliah Kerubo Tinega, Kenya, 35:31.89.
14. Lana Tamsett, Australia, 35:35.06.
15. Claire Hallisey, Britain, 35:51.08.
16. Evelyn Lagat, Kenya, 35:53.38.
17. Judith Toribio Lavado, Peru, 35:56.06.
18. Karina Perez, Mexico, 35:59.34.
19. Yuko Watanabe, Japan, 36:02.16.
20. Magdelena Lewy-Boulet, United States, 36:06.43.
21. Wendy Thomas, Team Colorado, 36:14.20.
22. Julia Rivera Lopez, Peru, 36:30.99.
23. Carolina Tabares Guerrero, Colombia, 36:34.37.
24. Leidy Tobon Salazar, Colombia, 36:41.65.
25. Dulce Rodriguez, Mexico, 36:57.01.
26. Bertha Sanchez-Rivera, Colombia, 38:02.58.
27. Rebecca Robinson, Britain, 38:12.04.
28. Leslie Sexton, Canada, 38:20.44.
29. Marilyn Arsenault, Canada, 38:31.51.
30. Eri Okubo, Japan, 40:00.23.
31. Kathy Butler, Britain, 40:47.26.
32. Verify Breen, Australia, 41:17.61.
Sara Slattery, DNF.
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
