FAIRFIELD, Conn. High heat and humidity didnt stop more than 4,500 runners from taking over Fairfields streets Sunday morning. The Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon started and ended at Jennings Beach, and more than 3,400 runners finished the 13.1-mile race.
The top four finishers all hailed from Ethiopia. Kumsa Adugna placed first in 1:04:40, followed by Ketema Nigusse 15 seconds later, then countrymen Worku Beyi (1:06:14) and Genna Tufa (1:08:11). The first Fairfield County runner was also the top U.S. finisher, Ridgefields Lucas Meyer, who placed fifth in 1:09:52.
Meyer said his first run in Fairifeld felt a little bit like a homecoming. My parents are here, my sisters here, a bunch of friends are here, he said.
On the ladies side, African runners also dominated the field, taking three of the top four spots. Moroccos Malika Mejdoub took first in 1:18:06, narrowly beating Tertza Dengersa of Turkey (1:18:11). Salome Kosgei of Kenya placed third in 1:18:56, followed by Ethiopias Serkalem Abrha. The top U.S. finisher was Shannon McHale of West Simsbury, Conn., who came in fifth with a time of 1:23:49.
Stamfords Caitlin Stote was the top Fairfield County finisher on the womens side, placing ninth. The 19-year-old was the top female runner in her age group (13-19) with a time of 1:29:58. Fairfields Alexis Hoadley, 17, placed third in the same group at 1:40:19.
Other Fairfield County age group winners include Westports Deirde O'Farrelly, who won the 50-54 bracket with a time of 1:44:10, Trumbulls Matt Klein, who took the mens 13-19 in 1:13:43, and Westports Tom Harding, the mens 45-49 winner at 1:21:03. Full results are available at the Fairfield Half Marathons website.
Did you run in the Fairfield Half Marathon? Tell us how you did in the comments below.
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