Hyde Park Blast | News/Press Release

SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2011

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Langat and Zemba both break course records at the 6th Annual Hyde Park Blast

Women's field cashes in thanks to Olay Mile Bonus

Cincinnati, OH – On Saturday, June 30th, more than 4000 participants took place in the 6th annual Hyde Park Blast which included the annual run/walk event in the morning as well as the post-race block party, crit bike race, and kid's fun run/bike race all happening that evening.

Henry Dennis's 2005 course record was broken by David Langat from Kenya. The lead pack took the first few downhill miles very quickly and then settled in through the challenging Handasyde hill at mile 3. It was Matt Folk from Ohio keeping close to Langat at the finish. Birhanu Wukaw from Ethiopia, Josh Ordway from the Columbus Running Company and Wes Seacat with Brooks/Louisville rounded out the top five all under 20:00. Past overall winners Nick Cordes and TJ Lentz were joined by other top Ohio runners Eric Putnam, Jim Jurcevich, and John Sence, all finishing close to the lead pack in just a few seconds over 20:00 to round out a strong field.

David Langat also picked up an extra $500 for chasing down John Zink who was chosen as this year's Clif Bar Chase runner. This runner is randomly selected each year and gets a handicapped head start in front of the elite field. The first runner to cross the finish line (Clif runner or elite) keeps the $500.

The women's field, which left five minutes before the men's elite and main field, also saw a course record fall. Mandi Zemba from Michigan broke Lyndsi Benedict's 2006 course record and earned the same double cash award Lyndsi received in 2006. This included the overall prize money and the Olay Love the Skin You're In Mile bonus, for being the first woman to reach the three mile mark. To qualify for the Olay bonus, the women also have to stay in the top five overall.

After taking the Olay bonus at mile 3, Mandi put down a great surge on Handasyde hill and did not look back. The women's field was extremely competitive this year with the top four all finishing under 22:00. It was very tight at the finish with Dayton's Ann Alyanak, 2nd place US female at this year's Boston Marathon, outkicking Lyndsi Benedict at the line for third. Dayton was well represented with Tara and Kara Storage taking second and fifth to round out the top five. The women's field also saw some international presence from Kenya and Ethiopia as well as a strong showing from the Brooks/Louisville team and our local Ohio favorites to round out the top 10.

6th Annual Hyde Park Blast
Cincinnati, OH, Saturday June 30th

Men

David Langat, (KEN), 18:55*, $2000 (includes Clif Chase Bonus)
Matt Folk, (USA/OH), 19:12, $750
Birhanu Wukaw, (ETH), 19:29, $350
Josh Ordway, (USA/OH), 19:29, $200
Wes Seacat, (USA/KY), 19:51, $100

*Course Record

Women