Nyariki Shatters Course Mark at Bun Run

Romanova Tops Women’s Field

Elite Kenyan runners dominated the field at the Schlotzsky’s 5K, with Thomas Nyariki topping them all with a new course mark of 13:34. The previous best, set by Shadrack Hoff in 2002 was 13:54.

Russian runner Olga Romanova, fresh off a win at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, D.C., topped the women’s field in 15:54, well off of Colleen De Reuck’s course mark of 15:28 set in 2002.

There was a big pre-race buzz several months ago about the Kenyans coming up for the Motorola Marathon, but those runners found the cold weather a problem, and barely finished in the top 10.

The Bun Run however, was great running weather for the Kenyans, who seem to prefer temperatures above 60 degrees for racing. That was certainly the case at Schlotzsky’s—eight of the top 10 finishers were Kenyan.

Over 5,000 runners participated in the fun run 5K, while about 40 elite athletes lined up an hour later to vie for the $30,000 in prize money.

The field was so deep with talent that the lead pack was 12 deep through the first mile in a blazing 4:18. As they jockeyed for position, Nyariki began to take control, leading a breakaway pack that included Rueben Cheruiyot, Gilbert Koech, Moses Macharia, Patrick Nthiwa, Alfred Rugema, of Burundi, and Dallas’ Kim Gillard.

Just after mile one, Nyariki and Cheruiyot, two of the world’s best road racers, began to pull away from the others, as the withering pace began to take its toll. Macharia and Gillard tried to maintain contact, running gamely in third and fourth places.

By mile two, heading back east on Cesar Chavez, it was a two man race as Nyariki and Cheruiyot hit a split of 8:42, well under course record pace. Nyariki, who has traced Cheruiyot numerous times began to assert himself just before turning onto the First Street bridge.

“I wanted to get enough space between us,” he said. My calf has been bothering me, and I didn’t want it to come down to a kick.”

After passing the three-mile mark in 13:05 and making the turn onto Riverside Drive, Nyariki churned the final straight to the finishing tape, seven seconds ahead of Cheruiyot.

Macharia grabbed third in 13:48, Rugema fourth in 13:50, with Gillard in fifth, the last man under 14 minutes, equaling Hoff’s 2002 time of 13:54. Kenya’s Andrew Masai posted a sterling 14:32 to win the master’s crown.

“I’ve run 13:18 at Carlsbad, so this is not my fastest 5K on the roads,” said Nyariki, who also owns a 12:55 track 5,000 best. But I felt very strong today, and I liked the course. I train together with Cheruiyot in Kisii, Kenya. I knew I could beat him today.”

Nyariki, who has been training at altitude in Boulder Colorado, will return to Kenya this week, before coming back to the U.S. again to chase the lucrative road race prize money circuit.

Cheruiyot has a similar plan. “I’ve been living in Washington D.C.,” he said. “But I prefer training in Kenya. So I will be returning there in a few weeks. I’ll be back later this summer to race the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta Georgia.

The women’s race turned into a battle of Russian and Kenyan runners as Romanova and Kenya’s Emily Samoei ran head to head for almost the entire race. “We were together the whole way,” said Romanova through a translator. “I saw I passed the first mile in 4:50, but I did not see our second mile time. By mile two, my feet were hurting. Maybe I have not had enough recovery since the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.”

Nonetheless, Romanova, 22, a former junior European 10K champion, put the hammer down on the First Street Bridge, and just s-printed down the final stretch three seconds ahead of Samoei.

“We were helping each other the whole way, pushing the pace,” said Samoei. It was only the kick…I am not such a good kicker.”

For Romanova, it’s been two big wins in two weeks. “This is only my second race in the U.S., ”she said. I will be returning to Cheboksary (Russia) to train for the 10K, and maybe later a marathon. “I’m in shock over the women’s marathon record set today in London (2:15:25) by Paula Radcliffe!”

Kenya’s Jacqueline Torori took third in 16:06, ahead of Russian runner Albina Gallyamova in 16:10. Lyubov Kremleva was the first master, rounding out the top five in 16:16.

While Sunday’s elite race was surely the best 5K field ever assembled in Texas, The Bun Run may do even better next year, according to CEO John Wooley. “I’m looking at the prize money structure, and I think we can match Carlsbad’s for the top five elites,” he said.” Currently in the Carlsbad 5,000, which was also run this morning, awards start at $5,000 for first place, while Shlotzskys offers $3,500 for first.

“We’re also looking at the dates,” said Wooley. “It would be great if we could get the races a week a part. We might even be able to work out something with Southwest Airlines to help the athletes get to both races. That would benefit both races.”

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