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The Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon was run under an overcast sky, so Sunday's 70 degree early morning heat was not too troublesome for the 4,600 entrants who endured the hilly course. It was the 30th edition of the Stratton Faxon race, which is hosted by the Fairfield Fire Department.
In the men's division, Ethiopia's Bado Worku won his first Fairfield race in a time of 1:05:49, barely edging defending champion and countryman Worku Beyi, who finished with a time of 1:05:51. Worku was coming off of a second place finish last week at the Grandma's Half Marathon in Duluth, Minn. Ketema Nigusse, also of Ethiopia, finished third (1:05:55). Tyler McCandless, 23, of State College, Pa., was the top American finisher (1:08:00) to finish fourth. Philip Gartland of Ridgefield was the local winner (1:16:04) for a top 10 finish. John Kenworthy, 22, of Fairfield finished with a time of 1:18:53 for 17th place overall. Connor Rog, who recently graduated from Fairfield Prep finished right behind Kenworthy in 19th place (1:20:13).
The top women's finisher was Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia, the defending champion, with a time of 1:15:43. She placed eighth overall. Ethiopian Alemtsehay Misganaw was the No. 2 woman (1:15:46). Shannon McHale from West Simbsury, Conn., finished third (1:22:18), and Megan Peterson of Fairfield finished 56th overall (1:27:43). The men's and women's winners got a $2,000 prize.
In the 5K race, Tucker Schafer of Danbury was the top men's finisher (16:27), followed by Collin Gannon of Litchfield (16:47) and Christopher Barettt of Fairfield (16:56). Norwalk's Amy Fredericks was the top women with a time of 18:58, followed by Zofia Wieciorkowska (19:51) and Julia Joy Marsillo of New Haven (20:32).
Race organizers said the turnout was fantastic and because the rain held off, the event was spectacular. A crowd of thousands rooted on the runners.
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