Former University of Oregon runners win half-marathon; more than 26,000 runners at third event edition; Everclear rocks post-race concert
By Dan Cruz, Competitor Group SEATTLE - (June 25, 2011) - With most eyes in the running world focused on Eugene for the USA Track & Field Championships, it was only fitting that a former pair of University of Oregon runners swept the half-marathon Saturday morning at the third Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Kicking off the Seafair summer festival under ideal running conditions, more than 26,000 entrants gathered in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila for the 7:00am start. Scott MacPherson of Austin, Texas, who won Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Half last year, pushed the first two miles with Christian Hesch of Hollywood, California. Fifty meters back was a second group led by 25-year-old Carlos Trujillo, who was running his first half-marathon.
Slowly but steadily, Trujillo picked up his pace, reeling in MacPherson, whose lead shrunk from 30 seconds to 15 seconds to 12 seconds by mile 12. As mile 13 approached, Trujillo, the 2008 Pac-10 champion over 10,000 meters, dropped the hammer and outkicked MacPherson to win in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 51 seconds.
