Ethiopian Runners Deny 2012 Champions of Overall Medved Lilac Title

Rochester, NY – On Sunday May 19^th Demesse Tefera, of New York City, denied Kiplangat Tisia of Cleveland, NY attempt to become the first repeat men’s winner at the Medved Lilac 10km since 2007 and 2008 when Alene Reta last did it.  Tefera and Tisia separated themselves from the rest of the field a few minutes into the race as both runners approached the downhill first mile at 4:44.  Trailing just off the pace was the 2012 runner up Tim Chichester of Mount Morris, NY, Chris Burke of Tully, NY and Chip O’Hara of Auburn, NY.  Tefera and Tisia slowed down to a near five minute pace for the next few miles but still managed to put distance on the rest of the field.  Tefera and Tisia were together as they approached the three mile mark at 14:36.  However, Tefera used the fourth mile to put pressure on last year’s champion by running a 4:45 which gapped Tisia by six seconds.  As Tefera reached the hills on Hemmingway and Highland heading back to the finish, Tefera increased his lead to approximately 15 seconds where he crossed the  five mile mark at 24:30.  When it was all said and done Tefera was able to coast his way to a 33 second victory as he finished with a time of 30:31 which averages to 4:55 pace per mile.  With Tisia failing to repeat as the overall Medved Lilac champion he still managed to repeat as the USATF Niagara Association 10km Champion.   Tisia finished with a time of 31:04 which just edged out William Way of Ithaca, NY who finished third overall with a time of 31:08.  The battle for third place was heavily contested much of the race as a group of six runners were all in reaching distance of each other four and a half miles into the race.  Rounding out the top five men’s finishers were Chris Burke with a time of 31:20, and Andrew Foxenberg of Chittenango, NY finishing fifth with a time of 31:25. Tim Chichester finished sixth overall and rounded out the top five USATF Niagara finishers with a time of 31:31.  C Fred Joslyn of Syracuse, NY finished seventh with a time of 31:36.  The Overall Masters Champion was Kevin Collins of Liverpool, NY who finished 11^th with a time of 33:14.

In the women’s race Hirut Beyene Guangul of New York City, spoiled the repeat bid for Maegan Krifchin of Syracuse, NY.  Guangul crossed the finish line in a time of 34:49 edging out Krifchin who ran 34:51 on the 10km course.   Guangul earned herself $600 for the win.  Krifchin who finished second overall for the second time in three years earned herself $800 for winning the USATF Niagara 10km title for the third year in a row.  The 2010 USATF Niagara 10km Champion Laurel Leone Burdick finished third overall with a time of 35:36.  Guangul, Krifchin, and Leone Burdick separated themselves from the rest of the women by hitting the first mile in 5:25.  The women continued to stay together as they approached two miles at 10:59.  When the ladies reached the three mile mark, Leone Burdick fell off Guangul and Krifchin pace as both of them hit the three mile split at 16:37.  Guangul was able to pull away from Krifchin miles later.  When Guangul broke away from Krifchin she was able to catch one of the men in the race and work with him to put some separation on her competitor.  Krifchin did not go away quietly.   She pushed her way up the hills but fell two seconds short of catching Guangul in the end.  Rounding out the top five women’s results were Lynn Youngman of Scottsville, NY finishing fourth with a time of 36:41 and Karen Blodgett of Fairport, NY finishing fifth overall with a time of 37:26.  Dana Buchanan of Rochester, NY finished fifth for USATF Niagara with a sixth  place finish and a time of 37:56.  The Overall Masters Champion was Missy Senall of Fairport, NY who finished with a time of 40:53.  In addition to the individual prize money the Lilac 10km and USATF Niagara awarded there was a team competition.  Stotan Racing won the Men’s title which included Kiplangat Tisia, Chris Burke, Andrew Foxenberg, C Fred Joslyn, and John Moore of Cleveland, NY who finished with a time of 32:40.  Stotan averaged 31:37 for the 10km race as a team.  Genesee Valley Harriers finished second with an average time of 33:49, and the Syracuse Track Club finished third with an average time of 35:21.  In the women’s division claiming the team title was the Brockport Distance Project with an average finishing time of 37:21.  The Brockport  Distance Project included Lynn Youngman, Karen Blodgett, Dana Buchanan, and Trisha Byler of Henrietta, NY who finished with a time  38:21.  The Genesee Valley Harriers women’s team finished second with an average time of 43:30.  In the Masters Divisions the Genesee Valley Harriers men’s and women’s teams claimed a total of six titles.

Overall Results,   USATF Niagara Mens Results,    USATF Niagara Womens Results,    USATF Niagara Team Results

2013 Niagara Association 10km Championships video

2013 USATF Niagara Association 10km Championships Preview

Tisia Crushes field to capture title, Youngman Repeats as USATF Niagara Half Marathon Champ