Charles Beiseman
ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 21, 2012) – With ideal running weather setting the course for the day, participants of all levels rocked the streets of St. Louis at the 2nd TASK Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by the Quinn Family Charitable Fund on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series returned to St. Louis for its second running, with attending runners from all 49 states and 17 countries. The marathon and half-marathon started across from City Hall and concluded downtown with a finish line festival and concert with headliners 3OH!3 and K’NAAN.
Dustin Emerick from Evansville, Ind., was the first across the finish line, covering the 13.1 mile course in 1:08:00, while Kimi Reed of Brookline, Mo., was crowned the women’s half-marathon winner with a time of 1:17:19.
“It was very hilly, but the energy was fun,” said Emerick, who is in his last semester at the University of Southern Indiana and works at a local running store. “I really enjoyed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon experience, it’s definitely been the most fun race I’ve run.”
“I was hanging on to a pack of three guys until mile eight, then the last half of the race was a little lonely,” said Reed, who is in her last year at Rockhurst University.
Men’s marathon winner, Charles Beiseman from De Soto, Mo., ran uncontested for the duration of the 26.2-mile course, with a time of 2:32:41. Nuta Olaru, of Denver, Colo., took first place among the women’s marathon runners at 2:49:29.
“About six or seven miles into it, I put a gap between me and the second place runner. From there I just ran my race and ran what felt good,” said Beiseman, who placed 7th at last year’s TASK Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis race and ran his third marathon today. “This race is really well put together and a good run all around. I like hearing motivational music and cheering spectators along the way and the cyclists help out a lot too.”
Participant Emily Kurian ran the marathon with her husband, Joe, who was pacing the three-hour group. After mile two, he encouraged her to run ahead and “go for it,” which ultimately helped her secured second place in the women’s marathon with a time of 2:55:30.
“St. Louis is my old stomping ground, it’s very nostalgic,” said Kurian, who graduated from St. Louis University in 2005 and now resides in Madison, Wis. “This was my second marathon, and after the first I said I would never do another again, but ultimately I was talked into it and very happy I did. Overall, I felt great, we couldn’t have asked for better weather.”
The marathon and half-marathon courses highlighted many of St. Louis’ scenic neighborhoods, historic areas, and beautiful parks with tree lined streets and rolling hills. Both courses went through Downtown and past Busch Stadium, the Historic Courthouse and Washington Avenue. After a loop through St. Louis University both courses passed beautiful Tower Grove Park and Lafayette Park. After mile 13, the marathon route continued into St. Louis’ famed Forest Park before returning to Downtown to finish with the half course set to the backdrop of St. Louis’ signature Arch.
The benefiting partner, Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), is a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization that provides safe, accessible recreational opportunities for children with special physical and developmental needs. The TASK Force running team raised more than $700,000 for the charity, which will be used to enhance the organization’s facilities that were obtained from funds raised at last year’s race.
For complete results, photos and more, visit: runrocknroll.competitor.com/st-louis
TASK Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon
St. Louis, Mo. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012
MEN’S MARATHON
1) Charles Beiseman, 31, De Soto, MO, 2:32:41, $1,000
2) Shane Logan, 34, Clarkston, MI, 2:34:36, $500
3) Matt Hoyes, 38, Bardstown, KY, 2:43:53, $250
WOMEN’S MARATHON
1) Nuta Olaru, 42, Denver, CO, 2:49:29, $1,000
2) Emily Kurian, 29, Madison, WI, 2:55:30, $500
3) Amy Landes, 40, Glendale, MO, 3:10:16, $250
MEN’S HALF-MARATHON
1) Dustin Emerick, 23, Evansville, IN, 1:08:00, $1,000
2) Scott Mindel, 26, New London, CT, 1:10:30, $500
3) Thomas Albes, 23, St. Louis, MO, 1:12:17, $250
WOMEN’S HALF-MARATHON
1) Kimi Reed, 24, Brookline, MO, 1:17:19, $1,000
2) Jackie Pirtie Hall, 30, St. Charles, MO, 1:20:20, $500
3) Sydney Messick, 30, St. Charles, MO, 1:21:48, $250
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