by Clay Shaw

BOULDER, CO, May 27, 2019—Hiwot Yemer of Ethiopia took the lead in the women’s pro race during Mile Five, but it wasn’t without some drama.  Aliphine Tuliamuk of Flagstaff, AZ who was running second to Yemer much of the final two miles, seemingly had broken Meseret Tola, also of Ethiopia.  But Tola made a hard charge on the uphill on Folsom and the road into Folsom Field, only to follow some members of the press who were taking a short cut to the finish.  Tola soon got back on the course, but had lost valuable seconds to Yemer in the process.  Yemer won in 32:49, with Tola second in 32:55, and Tuliamuk third in 33:00.  Margaret Muriuki of Kenya was fourth in 33:31.  Rahma Chota of Ethiopia took fifth in 33:29, giving Ethiopia the team title easily, over the USA in second, Kenya in third, and Japan in fourth.  Liberal prize money went to top ten overall, top five USA citizens, and members of the top five teams.

Bernard Ngeno of Kenya burst from the starting line into a quick duel with Gabriel Geay of Tanzania (who last week won the Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco).  Some vocabulary took place, and soon Ngeno was alone for nearly the entire race, winning in 28:29.  Quite a fast time for the high altitude of Boulder.  The course also has a slight elevation gain as well.  Tefera Delesa of Ethiopia was second in 28:58.  Joseph Panga of Tanzania was third in 29:03.  Tsegay Tuemay of Eritrea was fourth in 29:09.  Geay was fifth in 29:13, as Tanzania lost a close battle with Ethiopia for the team title.  Eritrea was third, Bahrain was fourth, and the USA was fifth.  The USA was led by Reid Buchanan (8^th, 29:46), and Jared Ward (9^th, 29:53). 

The 41^st running of the Bolder Boulder started at 6:55 a.m., and had waves of runners and then walkers for hours, before the pro races started at 11:15.  It is an awesome, well-orchestrated event that is followed by Memorial Day ceremonies.

Top 20 Women

1. 32:49 Hiwot Yemer ETH
2. 32:55 Meseret Tola ETH
3. 33:00 Aliphine Tuliamuk USA
4. 33:31 Margaret Muriuki KEN
5. 33:29 Rahma Chota ETH
6. 33:50 Ivy Kibet KEN
7. 33:56 Kayoko Fukushi JPN
8. 34:05 Madgalena Shauri TAN
9. 34:19 Yuka Ando JPN
10. 34:21 Kaitlin Goodman USA
11. 34:32 Shalaya Kipp USA
12. 34:30 Stephanie Bruce USA
13. 35:06 Lauren Masterson USA
14. 35:13 Natalia Sulle TAN
15. 35:40 Melissa Dock USA
16. 35:41 Margarita Hernandez MEX
17. 35:45 Taylor Ward USA
18. 36:08 Lindsey Scherf USA
19. 36:32 Grace Kahura KEN
20. 36:36 Jenifer Silver BRA

Top 20 Men

1. 28:29 Bernard Ngeno KEN
2. 28:58 Tefera Delesa ETH
3. 29:03 Joseph Panga TAN
4. 29:09 Tsegay Tuemay ERI
5. 29:13 Gabriel Geay TAN
6. 29:24 Aweke Yimer BRN
7. 29:32 Dejene Gonfa ETH
8. 29:46 Reid Buchanan USA
9. 29:53 Jared Ward USA
10. 29:58 Zouhair Aouad BRN
11. 30:06 Yitayal Zerihun ETH
12. 30:12 Samson Gezahai ERI
13. 30:14 Daniel Mesfun ERI
14. 30:16 Alphonse Simbu TAN
15. 30:19 Hassah El Abbassi BRN
16. 30:20 Reed Fischer USA
17. 30:25 Haron Lagat USA
18. 30:41 Futsum Zienasellassie USA
19. 30:48 Tyler McCandless USA
20. 30:56 Kevin Kochei KEN

Categories: Race Coverage

Tags: 2019, BolderBoulder