Johnson, Swiatocha claim 2010 Mayor's Marathon victories

ANCHORAGE (June 19, 2010) – Seward’s Erik Johnson and local newcomer Alexandra Swiatocha claimed the men’s and women’s marathon victories, respectively, in the 37th annual Mayor’s Marathon and Half-Marathon, presented by ConocoPhillips. In the half-marathon, University of Alaska Anchorage All-American Marko Cheseto broke his own record with an incredible time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, 47 seconds, while Stephanie Tainter claimed the title in the women’s race. (Click for complete results) Johnson, originally from Portsmouth, N.H., crossed the finish line in 2:42:53.1 for his first Mayor’s title in three tries. The 33-year-old finished sixth last year and 42nd in 2008. The victory was his second this year after claiming top honors at the Olmstead Trail Race in Raleigh, N.C., in March. Meanwhile, Swiatocha earned the women’s crown in 3:06:30 in her first Mayor’s appearance. Originally from Mahopac, N.Y., the 23-year-old was a former collegiate heptathlete at Holy Cross College. As the top-finishing Alaska residents, Johnson and Swiatocha each earned two round-trip tickets courtesy of Alaska Airlines. In the men’s half-marathon, Cheseto broke his own course record from 2009 by 97 seconds. The 4-time NCAA Div. II All-American for the Seawolves led a parade of UAA teammates across the finish line as he was followed by Micah Chelimo, Alfred Kangogo, William Ritekwiang and Paul Rottich. In the women’s half-marathon, Tainter, of Antigo, Wis., earned the victory in 1:26:50, outpacing UAA runner Hallidie Wilt, who finished second in 1:28:31. Seawolf Nordic skier Max Treinen earned the title in the men’s five-miler in 31 minutes, 56 seconds, while UAA runners dominated the women’s race as Miriam Kipng'eno (33:59), Shoshana Keegan (34:05) and Katie Krehlik (35:22) finished 1-2-3. The Mayor’s Marathon and Half-Marathon is organized by the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Athletics and the Municipality of Anchorage’s Parks & Recreation.

	Marathon ’stays green’ in 2010

ANCHORAGE (December 11, 2009) - For three and a half decades, the Mayor’s Marathon & Half-Marathon has promoted healthy bodies, and now the race is doing its part to promote a healthy planet as well. In conjunction with the University of Alaska Anchorage’s sustainability efforts, race organizers on Thursday announced the continuation of several changes that cuts waste and helps the event be more earth-friendly. This year’s Mayor’s Marathon & Half-Marathon, presented by ConocoPhillips, is set for Saturday, June 19. “After administering events such as this for 20 years, you understand that while they are all for a good cause, there is no doubt they have an impact on our environment,” said race director Michael Friess. “With the emerging alternatives in terms of sustainable products and online communication, it only makes sense to implement these kinds of changes immediately.” Friess said the biggest changes last year was the conversion to bio-degradable cups – 84,000 of them – and trash bags, along with the elimination of printed materials in favor of online info and registration. Some of the other efforts include: • the elimination of balloons, which will be replaced by re-usable decorations • recycling containers at aid stations and the finish line • event posters printed on 100 percent recycled paper • encouraging the public, with the help of the Municipality of Anchorage and People Mover, to make use of free bus service to and from race sites • the addition of an educational booth for the UAA Sustainability Office at the June 17-18 Marathon Expo at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel “Our assistant race director, Mandy Kaempf, really took on this project and moved it forward, along with the help of the sustainability office and the folks at Green Alaska Solutions,” Friess added. “Because of the hard work of a few people, the racing experience for our thousands of participants will be positively enhanced, while minimizing the impact on Alaska.” Race registration is ongoing at MayorsMarathon.com, while bib pick-up is scheduled for the expo June 17-18.