99th Bay to Breakers: Chepkurui WR and Kitwara defends

SAN FRANCISCO - runningusa.org reports - The 99th ING Bay to Breakers 12K, one of the world's largest and oldest footraces, made history on Sunday morning with Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya finishing in 38 minutes, 7 seconds, a pending world record, over the point-to-point 7.46 mile USATF certified course. Kenyan Sammy Kitwara, 23, became a back-to-back race champion in 34:15 as he edged countryman Peter Kirui (same time). Last year, Kitwara won and tied the 12K world record in 33:31.

Chepkurui, 22, who broke her own world record of 38:10 set two weeks ago at the Lilac Bloomsday, also collected the $25,000 ING Battle to the Breakers bonus as the first runner to break the finish tape. The professional women were given a 4 minute, 51 second head start - based on the course record differential (33:31 vs. 38:22) - over the field. In addition, the 2008 race champion earned the $5000 Hayes Street Summit bonus and a $3000 course record bonus for a total race payout of $40,000.

Defending champion Kitwara also won the Hayes Street Summit bonus and took home a total of $12,000.

The top Americans were Scott Bauhs of Mammoth Lakes, CA and 2008 Olympian Magdalena Lewy-Boulet from Oakland in 6th (35:55) and 7th (41:39), respectively, and each pocketed $1000.

The famed "Human Centipede" team races were won by LinkedIn (men) and ASICS Aggies (women) in 37:58 ($500) and 48:44 ($500), respectively.

"The ING Bay to Breakers race continues to attract world class athletes and today's new world record set is a great example of the talent we see each year," said Angela Fang, general manager of ING Bay to Breakers. "We can't wait until the race's 100th anniversary next year which, if today is any indication, will be as record-breaking and exciting as this year."

ING Bay to Breakers 12K supports numerous beneficiaries in the Bay Area, including the ING Run for Something Better, a national campaign that funds free, school-based running programs and introduces kids to the benefits of physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices; Breathe California, which works to reduce the impact of lung disease through prevention, education, advocacy and patient services and other local organizations. Additionally, race registration fees help support local San Francisco high school sports.

99th ING Bay to Breakers 12K
San Francisco, CA, Sunday, May 16, 2010

MEN
1) Sammy Kitwara (KEN), 34:15, $12,000
2) Peter Kirui (KEN), 34:15, $3000
3) Tilahun Regassa (ETH), 35:30, $2000
4) Tesfaye Sendeku (ETH), 35:59, $1250
5) Ridouane Harroufi (MAR), 35:55, $750
6) Scott Bauhs (USA / CA), 35:55, $1000 (top U.S.)
7) Simon Ndirangu (KEN), 36:14
8) Gilbert Okari (KEN), 36:14
9) James Kipketer (KEN), 36:37
10) Josh Moen (USA / MN), IA 36:47, $500
11) Jeff Eggleston (USA / AZ), 36:51, $250
15) Charlie Serrano (USA / CA), 37:59, $750 (top Bay Area)

WOMEN
1) Lineth Chepkurui (KEN), 38:07*, $40,000
2) Emily Chebet (KEN), Kenya 38:41, $3000
3) Mamitu Daska (ETH), 39:34, $2000
4) Jelliah Tinega (KEN), 40:14, $1250
5) Caroline Rotich (KEN), 40:37, $750
6) Jane Kibii (KEN), 41:05
7) Magdalena Lewy-Boulet (USA / CA), 41:39, $1750 (top U.S. & Bay Area)
8) Kate O'Neill (USA / CA), 41:52, $500
9) Annie Bersagel (USA / CA), 41:57, $250
10) Clara Horowitz-Peterson (USA / CA), 42:16
*pending world record and U.S. All-Comers record (previous record, 38:10, Lineth Chepkurui (KEN), Lilac Bloomsday, May 2, 2010); also course record (previous, 38:22, Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR), 2005)

Full race results and more at: www.INGbaytobreakers.com