13.1® Atlanta Marathon and Karhu 5K Results

A field of 3,300 registered participants hit the streets of Atlanta’s Town Brookhaven for the third annual 13.1^® Atlanta Marathon and Karhu 5K events this morning. The 13.1-mile half marathon and 5K started and finished in Town Green, adjacent to the recently opened hybrid Publix, and took runners through Brookhaven and Chamblee.

Emmanuel Ngatunyi, of Marietta, Ga., won first place in the male division with a time of 1:03:59. The 18-year-old established a new race record by blowing away the previous mark of 1:08:03.  Reuben Mwei, of Acworth, Ga., took second place with a time of 1:04:33, while Jynocel Basweti from Marietta earned third place with a time of 1:07:30. 

On the women’s side, Lilian Mariita, 23, of Marietta, shattered the women’s race standard with a time of 1:17:28 (previous record 1:21:39).  Placing second was Justyna Mudy from Rome, Ga., with a time of 1:17:46, and Meggan Franks of Starkville, Miss., took third with a time of 1:20:37. 

The Karhu 5K provided an extra incentive to all competitors as the Finnish shoe company encouraged all runners to try to "Beat the Karhu Bear."  The first 10 runners who "Beat the Karhu Bear” were to receive a coupon for a FREE pair of Karhu running shoes.  Only one runner was able to accomplish the challenge as 14-year-old Danny Shaughnessy of Douglasville, Ga., was just six second better than the bear – coming in with a time of 0:19:41.  The Bear costume was worn by Andrew Mearns of Atlanta as he placed second with a time of 0:19:47.  

 All results are available at http://www.131marathon.com/13_1_Atlanta.htm.

 The course encompassed Town Brookhaven in Atlanta's Brookhaven community, situated on Peachtree Road, north of Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza, and bordering the historic Oglethorpe University.

This year’s race was highlighted by a new start/finish area which featured wider lanes with less congestion allowing for a smoother transition to accommodate all the participants.  Located in Town Green, the new start/finish area was adjacent to the recently opened hybrid Publix at 104 Town Boulevard in the Town Brookhaven development off Peachtree Road.

This information contributed by US Road Sports.