For the second straight year, a Kenyan-American runner won the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, this time Stanley Kebenei, running 46:36 to edge Kenya’s James Kibet by three seconds. Kebenei’s time ranks as the fourth-fastest American men’s 10 mile.
Cherry Blossom Ten Mile
Reset the counter on that “years since Cherry Blossom had an American winner” sign.
[button-red url=”http://results.xacte.com/?kw=cucb” target=”_self” position=”left”] Results [/button-red] Sam Chelanga’s one-second victory over Silas Kipruto gave him that distinction, which had been out of use since Chris Fox won in 1990. His time of 48:25.1 was slowed considerably by winds gusting to 40 miles per hour, as recorded at Ronald Reagan National Airport, which forced race organizers to make several changes to race infrastructure and routine, including forgoing the traditional advanced start for elite women.
After a few years of calm, the wind was back for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, but it didn’t slow Janet Bawcom as she set an American record while winning her third consecutive USA Women’s 10 Mile Championship.
The men, lead by Kenyans Daniel Salel with half-second victory over Allan Kiprono in 46:05 were off of Kiprono’s winning 45:15 last year, but Kenyan Caroline Rotich (52:46) and her three-second lead over Ethopian Belaynesh Oljira broke a two-year tradition of the women’s winner running 54:02.