Governor Matt Blunt participates in marathon relay

Kristin Armstrong runs half-marathon

Event record participation

ST. LOUIS - (April 6, 2008) - The 2008 GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend concluded Sunday with the Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay events. More than 13,000 people participated in the eighth edition. Karl Gilpin from Russellville, MO was the overall marathon winner, establishing a new course record in the process. Gilpin, 29, completed the 26.2 scenic course in a time of 2:24:51, breaking Daniel Maurer's 2006 record of 2:25:09. Gilpin also defended his GO! St. Louis Marathon title.

On the women's side, Tara Keller, 33, from Hilliard, OH won in 3:07:26.

In the Half Marathon, presented by National City, Kenyan Mathew Chesang, 26, from Olathe, KS, also set a course record with his 1:08:20, eclipsing Zac Freudenburg's 2006 record of 1:08:36. And like Gilpin, Chesang also defended his title. The top woman in the half-marathon was Kelly Handel in 1:20:13.

"Today's race established a new participation record for the GO! St. Louis endurance events, with more than 13,000 runners and walkers crossing the finish line," said Nancy Lieberman, GO! St. Louis president. "For many of our athletes, today was a day of personal triumph and concluded a long fitness journey. Not only did we have a perfect day of weather, but new course records were established and many new friendships were made along the way," she added.

8th GO! St. Louis Marathon St. Louis, MO, Sunday, April 6, 2008

MEN
1) Karl Gilpin (MO), 2:24:51*
2) Matt Flaherty (IN), 2:26:19
3) Mike Cole (IN), 2:31:05
*course record (previous record, 2:25:09, Daniel Maurer, 2006)

WOMEN
1) Tara Keller (OH), 3:07:26
2) Ashley Hansen (CA), 3:08:28
3) Megan Earney (KS), 3:10:48

Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Mathew Chesang (KEN), 1:08:20*
2) Emisael Favela (US /IL), 1:09:11
3) Simo Wannas (US / DC), 1:09:35
*course record (previous record, 1:08:36, Zac Freudenburg, 2006)

WOMEN
1) Kelly Handel (TX), 1:20:13
2) Jill Czarnik (IL), 1:24:15
3) Judy Dorpinghaus (MO), 1:25:12

Lockton Companies Marathon Relay
First place overall was AMDG in the Family and Friends Division in 2:47:24, and finishing second overall and first in the corporate male division was Ameren 1 with a 3:01:42.

For a complete list of results, go to: www.GoStLouis.org