Bellin Run registers 20,000 runners, walkers

June 8, 2013

Lani Rutto Kiplagat takes No. 1 spot after being twice denied

The Bellin Run for the first time in its 37-year history registered 20,000 runners and walkers for Saturday’s annual 10K run/walk event.

The registration number, a new record, is an improvement over last year’s count (18,428) which dipped for the first time in seven consecutive years. That registration dip was largely attributed to unusually hot weather. The prior registration record, set in 2011, was 18,701.

Registration numbers hovered around 19,500 during the early hours of Friday night’s Bellin Run Health & Fitness Expo at Astor Park in Green Bay. A final tally shortly after the 8 a.m. start of the Bellin Run on Saturday revealed the new registration record – exactly 20,000 runners and walkers.

Lani Rutto Kiplagat of Kenya grabbed the top spot in Saturday’s race with a time of 29:12. Kiplagat, the runner up in the 2012 and 2011 races, finally edged out two-time defending Bellin Run champion Allan Kiprono who finished with a time of 29:34. Bill Jones of Lawrence, Kan., placed third at 30:10.

Risper Gesawba of Kenya easily captured her second consecutive title in the women’s division. Her time was 32:58. Millicent Kuria of Kenya, the women’s race winner in 2008 and second place finisher in 2009, finished second with a time of 33:23. Melissa Johnson-White of Naples, N.Y., placed third at 33:24.

Other athletes invited by the Bellin Run had the following times:
• Mike Morgan, Nebraska: 30:16
• Luke Humphrey, Michigan: 30:27
• Alice Kimutai, Kenya: 33:38
• Joan Samuelson, Maine: 39:14
• Uta Pippig, Colorado: 46:09
• Bill Rodgers, Massachusetts: 47:40

The race saw Tannor Wagner of Green Bay break the course record for the males ages 13-14 division. He posted a time of 35:09. The old record was 35:39 set in 1984.

Gracie Mihalski of Krakow shattered the course record for the females ages 1-9 division. She posted a time of 45:57. The old record was 46:01 set in 2007.

The overall course records did not fall. Joseph Kimani retains the men’s course record of 27:46 set in 1997 and Tegla Loroupe holds the women’s course record with a time of 31:48 set in 1999.

Local and state notables include Tyler Sigl of Green Bay (30:38; 6th overall); Aaron Easker of Eland (30:45; 7th overall); Brandon Dworak of Denmark (30:55; 8th overall); Brian Finnel of Madison (31:29; 9th overall); and women’s race finishers Natalia Sidon of Green Bay (37:49; 7th overall); Corissa Conard of La Crosse (38:00; 8th overall); Amy Wichmann of Appleton (38:57; 9th overall).

The temperature Saturday was 55 degrees and partly sunny at 8 a.m. the start of the race.