Thomas Omwenga Three Times Lucky in Today's 2010 BMO Vancouver Marathon

VANCOUVER, May 2 /CNW/ - Today, under cloudy wet conditions, marked the 39th annual running of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Thomas Omwenga of Tampa, FL, formerly from Kenya, finished in first place with a time of 2:16:55. In first place for the women was another Kenyan, Emmah Muthoni, with a time of 2:37:17.

The petite 29-year old woman said, "I am happy with my time since the weather was so cool." Muthoni promises to come back to Vancouver next year to defend her first place title.

There were 14,175 exuberant runners and walkers in the Marathon, 21.1 km Half Marathon, 8 km and McDonald's Kids MaraFun races today representing 38 countries.

While there were no course records set in the BMO Vancouver Marathon, Canadians did exceedingly well in both the 21.1 km Half Marathon and Marathon. Two British Columbian men, Jason Loutitt and Graeme Wilson finished second and third respectively in the Marathon. Sharleen Jackson of Prince George, in only her second year of long distance running, came in second in the women's Marathon followed by Suzanne Evans of New Westminster, who consistently places near the top.

Canadian women lead the way in the 21.1 km Half Marathon with Krista Duchene of Brantford, Ontario winning with a time of 1:16:40 ahead of two Calgarians, Lisa Harvey and Heather Gallagher.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon aims to be the premier west coast marathon; welcoming runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. It is one of the most scenic marathon routes taking participants through Vancouver's famous Stanley Park, False Creek, over the Burrard Street Bridge, and into the Kitsilano and Point Grey neighbourhoods.

    
    2010 BMO Vancouver Marathon Final Results:

    Marathon Male
    1st  - Thomas Omwenga, Tampa, FL - (2:16:55)
    2nd  - Jason Loutitt, Squamish, BC - (2:25:47)
    3rd  - Graeme Wilson, Vancouver, BC - (2:28:17)

    Marathon Female
    1st  - Emmah Muthoni, Tampa, FL -  (2:37:17)
    2nd  - Sharleen Jackson, Prince George, BC - (2:50:13)
    3rd  - Suzanne Evans, New Westminster, BC - (2:53:00)

    21.1 km Half Marathon Male
    1st  - Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB -  (1:06:33)
    2nd - Steve Osaduik, Langley, BC - (1:07:13)
    3rd - James Finlayson, Victoria, BC - (1:07:16)

    21.1 km Half Marathon Female
    1st  - Krista Duchene, Brantford, ON - (1:16:40)
    2nd - Lisa Harvey, Calgary, AB - (1:19:15)
    3rd  - Heather Gallagher, Calgary, AB (1:19:17)
    

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media Contacts: Deirdre Rowland, Media Relations Coordinator, [phone] cell, [email protected]; Laurie Grant, BMO Financial Group, [phone] cell, [email protected]; Web: www.bmovanmarathon.ca