Photos by Victah, www.photorun.net

In the wake of tropical storm Ernesto, Virginia Beach welcomed favorable weather for race day and it quickly became clear that runners from Kenya would dominate the sixth annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon under clear skies. Kenyan James Kwambai, 23 (photo), covered the 13.1-mile course in a time of 1:03:30 and Edna Kiplagat, 26, also from Kenya, won the women's race in 1:11:08.

Kwambai entered the race wary of his competition. The field included the champion of the 2004 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, Haron Toroitich, 28, from Kenya and Ethiopian Dejene Berhanu, 26, who entered the race with the fastest half marathon time in the men's field (59:23).

Having learned a valuable lesson in 2005, Kwambai held his finishing kick a little longer to refrain from fading at the finish as he strode to victory instead of fighting for second place as he did last year. Kwambai won a tactical race. The approximate 18-man elite pack covered the first 10K in 31:10, each member refusing to break away. Through miles seven and eight, the pack began to break up, dropping the pre-race favorite, Berhanu. It was then that Kwambai began to take control. He turned in a 14-minute 5K through miles nine and 11.

At the turn on to the oceanfront boardwalk, Evans Cheruiyot, 25, of Kenya was in the process of building an attack on first- place Kwambai in the final miles, but his strategy was futile. Kwambai released the kick he had patiently reserved, opened up a commanding lead, and crossed the finish line alone.

Reflecting on his competition, Kwambai said he had been afraid of the "finishing speed" of some of the other elite men, but was obviously content with his improvement from 2005 as he accepted the champion's trophy with a smile.

As is customary in Virginia Beach, the women's elite field started five minutes ahead of the men and remained in a tight pack for the first half of the race. The field jockeyed for position through miles four and five before settling into a conservative pace.

Mild attacks at the pace came shortly after mile five by Alice Chelangat, 29, of Kenya, who won this year's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Calif. (June 4, 2006). She ran through mile six in 5:31. Romanian Luminita Talpos, 33, chose to challenge the pace as the pack of 16 women approached mile seven before the first sign of the eventual champion began to emerge.

Through miles seven and 10, Kiplagat (photo) increased the pace, turning in the fastest split of the race at mile 10 (5:11). As she turned on to the boardwalk for the final two miles of the race, Kiplagat knew she had secured victory in her debut half marathon against a field that, in her words, contained some dangerous competition.

"I wanted to run carefully in my first half marathon," Kiplagat said. "I am very happy to win."

A sold out field of 20,000 entrants joined the elite athletes along the 13.1-mile course that finishes along the Atlantic shoreline, including approximately 1,000 runners and walkers from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, The National AIDS Marathon Team, The NF Marathon Team, and Team Hoyt (Dick and Rick Hoyt). The efforts of the participants in these charity programs helped raise a total of $1.3 million (net) at this year's event. Sixteen cheer squads and more than 20 bands lined the course to entertain and motivate the runners and walkers. The day capped off with a headliner concert Sunday evening featuring 3 Doors Down.

Top Finishers & Prize Money

Top 10 Men


Place, Name, Age, Country, Time, Prize money


   1. James Kwambai, 23, Kenya, 1:03:30, $12,000
   2. Evans Cheruiyot, 25, Kenya, 1:03:49, $7,000
   3. Yusuf Songoka, 26, Kenya, 1:03:52, $5,000
   4. Charles Kiama, 20, Kenya, 1:03:53, $3,000
   5. Wilson Chebet, 24, Kenya, 1:04:02 $2,000
   6. David Langat, 32, Kenya, 1:04:04, $1,500
   7. Haron Toroitich, 28, Kenya, 1:04:15, $1,000
   8. Tetsuo Nishimura, 23, Japan, 1:04:32, $750
   9. Japhet Kosgei, 38, Kenya, 1:04:53, $600
  10. Takashi Ota, 26, Japan, 1:04:59, $500 


Top 10 Women


   1. Edna Kiplagat, 26, Kenya, 1:11:08, $12,000
   2. Alice Chelangat, 29, Kenya, 1:11:38, $7,000
   3. Nina Rillstone, 31, New Zealand, 1:11:41, $5,000
   4. Nuta Olaru, 35, Romania, 1:11:50, $3,000
   5. Lidia Simon, 32, Romania, 1:12:07, $2,000
   6. Yoko Miyauchi, 24, Japan, 1:12:17, $1,500
   7. Luminita Talpos, 33, Romania, 1:12:28, $1,000
   8. Hiroko Miyauchi, 24, Japan, 1:12:29, $750
   9. Adriana Pirtea, 25, Romania, 1:12:48, $600
  10. Akemi Ozaki, 29, Japan, 1:12:55, $500 


Wheelchair Champion
*Tyler Byers, 24, Reston, Va., 49:00, $600
*New wheelchair course record


Top Hampton Roads Residents


Male


William Christian, 23, Norfolk, Va., 1:06:50, $500


Female


Aurora Scott, 16, Chesapeake, Va., 1:18:15, (Declined)


Top Masters Finishers


Male


John Piggott, 41, Williamsburg, Va., 1:14:19, $500


Female


Linda Sawvell, 41, Newport News, Va., 1:25:59, $500 

For additional information on the race visit the race Web site or call (800) 311-1255.