OLINGER, KIPYEGO WIN 75TH MANCHESTER ROAD RACE
By David Monti
(c) 2011 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved (Used by permission)

(24-Nov) -- American Brian Olinger and Kenyan Sally Kipyego won today's historic 75th Manchester Road Race in Manchester, Conn.

Olinger, 28, of Westerville, Ohio, who is best known as a steeplechaser (8:19.29 PB), clocked 21:33 for the hilly 4.748 mile course, winning America's most prestigious Thanksgiving Day race for the first time (he had finished third twice in 2007 and 2008). That gave the Reebok-sponsored athlete a six-second victory over compatriot Landon Peacock (21:39) of the ZAP Fitness program. Andrew Carlson of Team USA Minnesota finished third (21:41), giving the USA men a sweep of the podium.

For the 25 year-old Kipyego, who runs for the Nike-sponsored Oregon Track Club in Eugene, Ore., today's win was her second at Manchester. She clocked 24:22, 14 seconds slower than her winning time last year. The reigning IAAF World Championships silver medalist at 10,000m finished comfortably ahead of American Meghan Armstrong-Peyton of Team USA Minnesota/Asics (25:03) and Ethiopians Alemtsehay Misganaw and Bedada Bekelech (both were timed in 25:15).

Both Olinger and Kipyego won $4000 in prize money.

Kenyan Joseph Ekuom, 41 (24:11) and American Betty Geiger, 50 (26:09) were the race's masters (40+) champions.

Runner's World editor at large, Amby Burfoot, finished the race for the 49th time, clocking 51:32.

Contested in typically cold conditions for Central Connecticut in late November, race timer Granite State Race Services reported a preliminary 13,467 finishers. Race entries had been capped at 15,000.