Walsh wins San Diego Half Marathon

Beth Walsh

SAN DIEGO – February 24, 2013 – Thousands of women gathered today in America’s Finest City for the Women’s Running San Diego Half Marathon. On what can only be described as a picture perfect San Diego morning, the 13.1-mile race featured beautiful waterfront vistas along Shelter Island and Harbor Island as the runners made their way to the finish at NTC Promenade in Point Loma.

Beth Walsh, a professional triathlete and school psychologist from Encinitas, won the inaugural race in 1 hour, 21 minutes, 25 seconds, while her friend and founder of Running Skirts, Cindy Lynch, placed second in 1:26:33. Both Walsh and Lynch, who are training for Ironman Cabo San Lucas and the Boston Marathon respectively, tacked on an additional 4-mile training run immediately following their win. Third place winner Jenny Selan ran the scenic 13.1-mile course in 1:28:43.

“I was focused on going out strong and staying strong throughout the race,” said Walsh. “I tried not to fade and ran even splits. There were really good runners out there, but I was able to take the lead early on and keep it.”

“I’m a Master now, and it’s a challenge to push myself and stay with the top runners,” said Lynch. “I was trying to keep Beth in my sights because I knew she could push me and third place was right on my tail. This is my second Women’s Running Half Marathon and after the race in St. Petersburg, Florida two years ago, I fell in love with the Series and recommend everyone run one of these events.”

The race started and finished at the US Naval Training Center off Cushing Road and Roosevelt Road in Point Loma. The course ran along Harbor Island and Shelter Island, offering stunning views of San Diego’s Harbor. Each finisher received a patent-pending two-in-one medal and charm, a designer goodie bag, technical race shirt and a post-race Cookie Café.

John Nunn, two-time race walking Olympian and cookie entrepreneur, baked more than 3,000 treats for the race’s signature Cookie Café. Nunn launched Ella’s Cookies a few years prior to representing the United States in the 50-kilometer race walk at the 2012 summer’s London Games. Additionally, Heather Ford, a reporter from FOX 5 San Diego, helped pace the 1:45 group at the race today.

“This event is about having a fun girl’s weekend,” said Dana Allen, General Manager of the Women’s Running Series. “Participants not only come for the race, but they stay because of the beautiful destination here in San Diego. The Women’s Half Marathon is another opportunity to encourage health and fitness in the community and we hope thousands of women keep coming back year after year to run this race and enjoy all that San Diego has to offer.”

Women’s Running San Diego Half Marathon is part of a national series of half-marathons uniquely catered toward women, combining a weekend destination with a scenic 13.1-mile course.

Inaugural Women’s Running San Diego Half Marathon

San Diego, CA, February 24, 2013

1) Beth Walsh, 33, Encinitas, CA, 1:21:45
2) Cindy Lynch, 41, San Diego, CA, 1:26:33
3) Jenny Selan, 31, San Diego, CA, 1:28:43