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Dirba, Fulton Win Carlsbad Marathon

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Dirba, Fulton Win Carlsbad Marathon

CARLSBAD, Calif. - International rivalry and heated team spirit took to the normally laid-back streets of the seaside village of Carlsbad during the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon held on Sunday.

CARLSBAD, Calif. - (January 20, 2008) - International rivalry and heated team spirit took to the normally laid-back streets of the seaside village of Carlsbad during the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon held on Sunday.

Tesfaye Dirba of Ethiopia cruised to victory in the marathon, winning uncontested in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 26 seconds, while Diona Fulton of Somerville, Mass. won the women's division in 3:07:56.

Chargers mania was as evident as marathon mania throughout the morning as hundreds of runners, volunteers and spectators donned blue and gold Chargers attire. "I must have seen a couple of hundred LaDainian Tomlinson jerseys out on the course," said Lynn Flanagan, the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon race director.

Over 9,000 elite and recreational runners from all 50 states and 10 countries participated in the sold-out events held under sunny skies with temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the mid-60s.

Dirba, who was running his first marathon on American soil, led wire-to-wire, his sub-2:20 finish time earning him a $1500 bonus in addition to the $500 first place prize. Andy Martin finished second (2:23:45) followed by Benard Songoka of Mexico (2:27:03).

Chargers fans may have outnumbered Patriots followers but they didn't out-kick them, at least in the women's marathon. Fulton, a self-described "Pats" fan, held her early lead even after slowing in the final miles. "I was hoping to do a little bit better," said Fulton. "My legs started to go numb at mile 19. They felt like trash."

Obed Mutanya of Zambia was victorious in the half-marathon race, his debut at the distance, winning in 1:04:26. Janko Bensa of Serbia was second (1:04:38) and Worku Beyi of Ethiopia took third (1:05:29).

Jacqueline Nytipei of Kenya dominated the women's half-marathon division clocking a 1:11:37 victory and earning her a $2500 payday. Jane Kibii of Kenya was the runner-up, finishing in 1:13:57.

The marathon and half-marathon courses took runners past North San Diego County's scenic vistas and pounding ocean surf. The event benefited the Charities in Motion Foundation.

17th Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad, CA, Sunday, January 20, 2008

MEN
1) Tesfaye Dirba (ETH), 2:19:26, $2000 ($500 plus $1500 bonus)
2) Andy Martin (USA / CA), 2:23:45, $1250 ($250 plus $1000 bonus)
3) Benard Songoka (MEX), 2:27:03, $600 ($100 plus $500 bonus)

WOMEN
1) Diona Fulton (USA / MA), 3:07:56, $500
2) Alison Meadow (USA / AZ), 3:14:40, $250
3) Jolene Vanyo (USA / CA), 3:41:41, $100

Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Obed Mutanya (ZAM), 1:04:26, $1500
2) Janko Bensa (SER) 1:04:38, $750
3) Worku Beyi (ETH), 1:05:29, $300
4) David Ngetich (KEN) 1:05:45, $200
5) Marco Venancio (USA / CA) 1:06:55, $100

WOMEN
1) Jacqueline Nytipei (KEN), 1:11:37, $2500*
2) Jane Kibii (KEN), 1:13:57, $750
3) Dorota Gruca (POL), 1:14:24, $300
4) Buzunesh Deba (ETH), 1:17:20, $200
5) Heather Fuhr, 40, (USA / CA), 1:18:29, $100
*$1500 plus $1000 1st sub-1:15 bonus

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