Published on Sunday, August 10, 2008

Falmouth Road Race

FALMOUTH, Mass. – The first time was a charm for both the men’s and women’s winners of the 2008 CIGNA Falmouth Road Race. In addition, this year marked the first time that a Masters runner topped the women’s field, following her wins in consecutive weekends at the Bix 7-Mile in Davenport, Iowa and the Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Edith Masai, age 41, of Kenya crossed the finish line in 37:02 followed by Lyudmila Bitkasheva, age 34, of Russia three seconds later in 37:05.
    On the men’s side, Tadese Tola, age 20, finished in 32:01, which broke the nine-year Kenyan winning streak and marked the first win by an Ethiopian. The 2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezghi, 33, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. finished second in 32:09. That time bettered his 2007 Falmouth second place finish by four seconds. Boaz Cheboiywo of Kenya placed third in 32:12. Both winning times were off the course records of 31:08 set by Gilbert Okari in 2004 and 35:02 set Lornah Kiplagat in 2000.
    Azure blue skies and temperatures in the high 60’s greeted the field at the Woods Hole starting line. By the time the runners reached the finish line of the seven-mile course at Falmouth Heights, temperatures had only risen to the mid-70’s, however the lack of ocean breezes eliminated any cooling effect for the nearly 11,000 participants.
The men’s pack sprinted off the start line, and...

Results now posted!

Photos

Falmouth Mile Story and Results