Fast Times in 2009
The 2nd edition of 26.2 with Donna, The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer, saw new winners in faster times, thanks partly to the cooler temperatures on race day. Personal motivation, though, was no small factor.
Lowering the event record by almost a minute, Simon Sawe of Kenya, by way of Santa Fe, New Mexico, held off a strong men’s field to break the tape in 2:20:55. All three of this year’s top men ran faster than New York’s Alene Reta, who won the inaugural race in 2:21:50.
Sawe cited his mother’s death to ovarian cancer as his inspiration. “I wish there would be more Donna breast cancer foundation races so that more money can be raised,” he said after his win. “I know the economy is bad, but… we can do something that will really improve the lives of all people.”
Tatiana Titova, a Russian who has lived and trained in Gainesville, Florida, for several years, lowered the women’s winning time by just under 4 minutes and improved on her 3rd place finish last year to take the win in 2:41:46, more than 10 minutes faster than her time in 2008!
The elites weren’t the only ones posting faster times on their 2nd running of The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer. Race founder and namesake, Donna Deegan, improved her time by almost 5 minutes as well.
26.2 with Donna has proven itself one of the best marathons in the country, with undoubtedly the most heart-felt crowd support of any event in the world. Now that training season just around the corner, we expect to see more records fall in 2010, and we hope you will join us when they do. See you on race day: February 21, 2010!
