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Official results on hold while end investigated

Monday, September 30, 2002

By Pohla Smith, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Did Kenyan Teresa Wanjiku cut the course of yesterday's Great Race as runners-up claimed, and, if so, was it because of a misplaced barrier?

And if the answers to the above questions are "yes", what should be done about it?

	Wheelchair winner Michael King catches his breath after completing the course in 25:36. (Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette photos)

Until those questions are answered, there will be no official women's winner of the 26th annual 10K race founded by the late Mayor Richard Caliguiri. No second-, third-, or fourth-through eighth-place finishers were announced either, because the top eight all get cash prizes, and race organizers didn't want to give out places and money and then possibly have to take them back.

John Itati, 28, of Kenya outkicked compatriot Moses Macharia, 27, over the final mile to win the men's division in 27 minutes, 31 seconds, a personal record. Macharia finished a second behind. Another Kenyan, Gilbert Okari, 24, was third at 27:35.

The first American to finish was Andrew Begley, 26, of Kendallville, Ind., who was 14th at 30:29. The only other non-Kenyan in the top 14 was Ethiopian Dejene Berhanu, 22, who was fourth.

None of the top eight women's times was announced, though the times cannot be changed regardless of the ruling on the protests lodged against Wanjiku by Russian Viktoria Klimina and Ethiopian Eyerusalem Kuma, who were the second and third across the finish line.

"There will be no top eight today because we have documented protests," race director Mike Radley said. "We are looking at complaints that have been deemed credible and will be researching the facts and then consulting with the governing body of racing," USA Track and Field.

	Race Results Men's and Women's Age Divisions Wheelchair Results Men's 10K overall Women's 10K Overall Men's 5K overall Women's 5K overall

Though accounts varied, the complaints apparently dealt with the second of two traffic islands that split Commonwealth Drive near the downtown Hilton Hotel, about 300 yards from the finish in Point State Park.

"The girl from Ethiopia was behind Viktoria and the girl who cut the course was 4 or 5 meters behind them," said Konstantin Selinevich, agent for Klimina. "Between 250 and 300 meters before the finish line, that girl just ran on the sidewalk. She went from 5 meters back to 4 or 5 meters in front. By U.S. rules, if you jump off the course you have to go back the same place where you went off."

Wanjiku, 28, argued she had no choice. "The Russian girl was trying to come in front of me, and she was zigzagging," she said. "I took one step off the course. I didn't want a collision on the course. I was doing it for my own safety."

Complicating the issue was the possibility that a barrier closing off one of the lanes on Commonwealth was misplaced or missing, said Joe Sarver, elite runners coordinator for the Great Race.

"Is it Teresa's fault or the race's fault for not having a clear course?" he asked. "I would have done the same thing [the way the course looked]. It's not a good situation for the sport."

Radley said officials would seek a solution "fair and equitable" to all three women since they were closely packed approaching the finish. Among the possible resolutions, he said, was splitting the prize money for the first three finishers into equal shares. In the men's and women's open divisions, first is worth $2,000; second $1,500, and third $1,000.

	Men's champion John Itati of Kenya strides toward the finish line.

Asked if Wanjiku could be disqualified, he said, "I imagine disqualification is a possibility, but it's not something I'm looking for."

In contrast to the women, the top two men finishers laughed and joked with one another after the race.

"He's been outkicking me always," said Macharia, who led the race from near the first mile marker until Itati passed him in the final yards. The last time, he said, was a race in Mobile, Ala., in March.

"I'm strong with the final kick," Itati said. "But you've got to be very near [to do it]. Just a few yards back."

NOTES -- Another Kenyan, Francis Kamau, 41, won the men's masters' division in 31:20. ... Laura Hruby, 42, won the women's masters' division and the Richard Caliguiri Award as the first Pittsburgher to finish with a time of 34:49. ... The male Caliguiri Award winner was Rob Reeder, 28, after finishing in 31:27. ... Men's 5K winner was Daniel Holland, 33, of Pittsburgh at 15:51; women's was Tricia Snyder, 25, of Pittsburgh at 18:21. ... Michael King, 44, of Atglen, Pa., took the 10K wheelchair division in 25:36; Kelly Timms of Pittsburgh took the 5K division in 18:53. ... The total number of participants registered for the race was 9,742, with 6,887 registered for the 10K and 2,855 for the 5K.