Photo: Wilson Komen winning the 2005 Veterans Day 10K in 30:25. Komen races locally in a Georgetown Running Company singlet.

One might say that Wilson Komen was a shoe-in for the win at the 16th annual Carlsbad Marathon held Sunday, January 15, 2006. The lanky six-footer wore bib number one and sported a newcomer brand of running shoes as he lead the marathon wire-to-wire to a victory in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 37 seconds.

Never seriously challenged, Komen hoped to turn in a 2:20 finishing time but a combination of strong head winds and rolling hills kept him to a relatively even 5:33 per mile pace. "It is a challenging course," said the Washington DC- based Kenyan, who holds a 2:17:31 marathon personal record and placed third in last year's Carlsbad Half Marathon (1:04:51).

Komen, who trains in Albuquerque, N.M., ran in Sunday's 26.2- miler to show appreciation to his shoe sponsor, UK Gear. "It's not always about the prize money," said Komen. "UK Gear has been very supportive." The company has recently expanded into the United States.

Carlsbad Marathon race officials opted not to offer prize money in the full marathon race and divert more financial resources to items that would benefit recreational runners and walkers, the vast majority of the field.

The day was not without its million-dollar views, however. The marathon and half-marathon courses toured through the seaside village of Carlsbad, 35 miles north of San Diego. Runners and walkers were treated to scenic vistas and the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean's pounding high surf, pelicans and surfers. "I liked everything about this race: including the course, the views and the bands," said Sarah Keller, the women's division champion. Keller, of Billings, Mont., finished in 3:11:08. A four-time finisher of the Ironman triathlon distance, Keller gave birth to her first child, Chloe, less than six months ago.

The men's half-marathon race was decidedly undecided for the first seven miles as a pack of four men cruised through the coastal course at a 5:04 per mile pace. Ibrahim Limo, 27, of Kenya, pulled ahead just after the seventh mile to win in 1:06:32, a 22-second victory over runner up, Shadrack Muge (1:06:54). Daniel Kahn, who led the field in the very early stages, finished third in 1:06:57. Limo pocketed $1000 in prize money for his effort.

The women's half-marathon winner was surprisingly no fan of the distance. Sopagna Eap, 24, a two-time Division II All-American (3000 / 5000 meter track) at the UC at Davis, finished in 1:18:30 in her half debut. "I like the 10K and I like the marathon, but I have a harder time with the in-between distances," said Eap. "The half-marathon is a fast pace for a very long time."

Eap, a grad student at the University of Oregon, has already qualified for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:45:57 at the 2005 USA Championships held at Twin Cities last October. Kristi Markowic of San Diego finished second in 1:20:55.

Saturday's rain and pre-dawn lightning cleared just in time to produce ideal race conditions in the low 60s with a brief shower. Over 5,300 runners and walkers finished the marathon and half-marathon, including Merle Manganiello, a double lung transplant recipient who walked the half-marathon with her donor's mother.

See the Carlsbad Marathon Web site for searchable results.