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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Berhane Adere comes from behind to earn second consecutive championship!

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 11:35 AM by Jeremy Sussman

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

berhane adere winning 2006 chicago marathon Berhane Adere has done it again; winning her second consecutive LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon title in dramatic fashion.

In uncharacteristically warm conditions, the women’s marathon field came down to the defending champion and a debut marathoner. Berhane Adere, from Ethiopia came into the race looking to repeat last years win and make up for her sub par, 10th place performance in London this year.

After early leaders Kathy Butler, from Great Britian, and Nuta Olaru, from Romania, fell off the pace, Alevtina Ivanova, from Russia took over the lead. Ivanova stayed at the front through 20 kilometers before Adere took over the lead by the half way mark.

While Ivanova stayed on the pace, a new comer to the marathon, Adriana Pirtea, from Romania, was also quietly sitting on their shoulders. Adere was able to drop Ivanova, but Pirtea continued to stay on her shoulder. Pirtea made her move just after 22 miles and put 20 - 30 meters on Adere within a few seconds.

She increased her lead to around ten seconds and came into the home stretch waiving her hands, not realizing that Adere had come back and was making a mad sprint for the finish. Completely unaware that she was about to be defeated, Pirtea continued to celebrate until, at the last minute, she viewed Adere passing her for the win. Adere finished in 2:33:49 and Pirtea in 2:33:52.

Kate O’Neil was the first American women to cross the line in 2:36:15. She was third place overall. Liz Yelling was fourth in 2:37:14, followed by Benita Johnson, of Australia, in 2:38:30.

The slow times were due to the temperature that reached as high as 87 degrees.

Official Times:

1. Berhane Adere 2:33:49 5:51
2. Adriana Pirtea 2:33:52 5:52
3. Kate O’Neill 2:36:15 5:57
4. Liz Yelling 2:37:14 5:59
5. Benita Johnson 2:38:30 6:02
6. Nuta Olaru 2:39:04 6:04
7. Paige M Higgans 2:40:14 6:06

This article was written by Joe Renguso. To contact Joe and for more information about his training advice for high school track and cross country runners, please visit: http://thehighschoolrunner.com/

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

http://chicago.thefinalsprint.com

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Hammstah said:

Rock on, Berhane! I KNEW she was going to have a great day. The finish line fans must have gone mad for this made-for-TV finish. 10km-Killer Kate O’Neill’s debut…wow and cool for the home team!
October 7th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Chicago Marathon Again: Ivuti wins balmy Chicago.. 2007 LaSalle Bank.. » My News Wire . net said:

[…] Chicago Marathon ?07: Adere flys through home stretch to overtake … Berhane Adere has won her second consecutive LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon title after an unbeleivable effort over the home stretch to take the lead. Adere was about 25 seconds behind Pirtea with about a half mile to go. … […]
October 7th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Eva Lowry said:

I met this beautiful lady the day before the infamous race….I too was running (only my 2nd marathon) I was with my husband and she was so unassuming…we took a picture together. I kept bumping into this delicate and strong lady…(legend)… she seemed tickled each time she saw me…..after her win I saw her at the celebration party…she humbly hugged me and posed for another picture…I am so honored to know her!
October 24th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
MR AMANDA ADENUGA said:

HELLO,
I AM THE SECRETARY OF RACER ATHLETICS CLUB
AND WE HEREBY
REGISTERED AND SEND THE NAMES OF OUR ATHLETES AS
FOLLOWS:
1.AGBABIAKA NURUDEEN ALOWONLE
2.SIMON WEST EMUHO
3.ALIU CHRITOPHER GEORGE
4.OJEABULU AUTHONY FESTUS
5.NURUDEEN LUKMAN
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM U.THANKS

YOURS FAITHFULLY,
RACER ATHLETICS CLUB
MR AMANDA ADENUGA
( SECRETARY)
February 21st, 2008 at 8:44 am