hartford marathon

hartford marathon

Patrick Moulton of Providence, R.I. defended his title at the ING Hartford Marathon Saturday morning, pulling away from Jacques Sallberg of Pasadena, Calif. early in the 26.2-mile race for the win. Moulton, who won $6,000, finished in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 21 seconds. Patrick Tarpy of Providence, who will make his marathon debut in New York City next month, won the half-marathon (1:04:42). Joseph Ekuom won the 5K (15:26) and Michelle Sarney was the women's winner (17:57). This is Moulton's third marathon victory. After winning his first marathon at Hartford last year (2:21:48), Moulton, 27, won the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, D.C. in March. He finished third at the Vermont City Marathon in May in 2:22:23.

The last time John LaRosa ran in the ING Hartford Marathon, he was in no man's land for about 20 miles. "I'm looking forward to having some company this year," said LaRosa, 28, of New Milford. LaRosa, a high school science teacher at Danbury High, finished sixth two years ago in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 21 seconds, his personal best. That would have been good enough to be included in the marathon's New England's Finest program, initiated last year to recognize top regional runners. In Saturday's marathon, which starts at 8 a.m. in Bushnell Park, he will have more a few people to run with.

Two years ago, the program did not exist and there was more of a gap between the top few runners and the next group. Mohammed Awol won in 2:17:19. Jeff Howley of Wilton, Maine, in fifth place ahead of LaRosa, finished in 2:24:59. "I'm hoping to run 2:30 or under," LaRosa said. "It's hard to pass up — it's local and when you run well there, they provide you with so much." Not only do the elite runners in the program get the usual perks like hotel rooms, free entry and travel reimbursement, those finishing in the top five get additional prize money that can bring the champion's total to $6,000. Last year's winner, Patrick Moulton of Providence, is returning. Moulton, 27, won his first marathon in 2:21:48, after breaking away from runner-up Jonas Buud of Sweden in the 22nd mile on the Founders Bridge.