Projo Running Blog

Enduring some nasty weather conditions and outdistancing a field of 463 runners, 39-year-old Keven O'Neil of North Kingstown and 22-year-old Elizabeth Foster of Ellington, Conn. took top honors at Sunday's Amica Marathon in Newport. (Note: We originally reported that second-place finisher Monique Wolanin was the women's winner based upon results provided by the race. According to event organizers, Foster's name was not included in that initial set of results because of a problem with the finish line system.)

O'Neil, a well-respected high school running coach in R.I., downplayed his win, which was clocked in 2:42:50, insisting that runner-up Scott Bessette, who is training for a marathon in California in December, "was the best marathoner out there. He just did it as a workout and he almost kicked my butt."

(Note: We originally reported that second-place finisher Monique Wolanin was the women's winner based upon results provided by the race. According to event organizers, Foster's name was not included in that initial set of results because of a problem with the finish line system.)

Still, it was a nice return to the medals podium for O'Neil, who hadn't run a marathon since finishing as the top Rhode Islander and second overall at this race in 2007 (2:30:33) and has been trying to regain his mental edge after suffering a collapsed lung.

Journal photo / Carolyn Thornton
Keven O'Neil

"I was shooting for a much faster time, but I was by myself for the whole race," O'Neil said while recovering in the warmth of his home on Sunday night. "I struggled the last 5 miles. I followed the lead motorcycle, and he took me the wrong way at the 26-mile mark. So I did about 2 and 1/2 minutes over the distance.

"I just felt like adding on a little because it was such a beautiful day," he quipped.

Meanwhile, Foster posted a 20-minute margin of victory en route to taking the women's title, finishing fifth overall in 3:03:48.

According to the University of Hartford Athletics web site, Foster wrapped up a successful track and cross-country career there last June and is now serving as a part-time assistant coach for the Hawks' running programs while she pursues her Doctorate in physical therapy.

Top marathon finishers are below:

TOP 10 MEN
1 Keven O'Neil 39 M 887 North Kingstown RI 2:42:49.72 1:16:51 2:42:50 6:13
2 Scott Bessette 30 M 902 Mystic CT 2:44:04.56 1:25:09 2:44:05 6:16
3 Patrick Leary 30 M 868 North Providence R 2:52:51.54 2:52:54 6:36
4 Sean Quinn 26 M 493 Morristown NJ 3:00:42.51 1:30:35 3:00:50 6:55
5 Eric Maki 48 M 363 Cortland NY 3:05:38.34 1:29:39 3:05:41 7:06
6 Paul Letoile 44 M 881 Wakefield R 3:06:40.26 1:30:56 3:06:43 7:08
7 Matt Silva 31 M 555 Dover NH 3:06:53.41 1:28:28 3:07:05 7:09
8 Adrian Rishworth 40 M 508 North Kingstown RI 3:09:09.92 1:32:28 3:09:13 7:14
9 Derek Nobrega 25 M 436 Boston MA 3:09:19.85 1:32:57 3:09:42 7:15
10 Trevor Bayliss 33 M 40 White River Juncti 3:10:10.12 1:32:30 3:10:16 7:16

TOP 10 WOMEN
1 Elizabeth Foster 22 F 203 Ellington CT 3:03:47.64 1:33:00 3:03:53 7:02
2 Monique Wolanin 40 F 660 Pomfret Center CT 3:23:54.16 1:41:01 3:24:01 7:48
3 Margo Collins 38 F 118 Plymouth MA 3:27:58.01 1:43:06 3:28:57 7:59
4 Monica Wilson 42 F 657 Middletown RI 3:29:01.03 1:39:48 3:29:06 7:59
5 Michele Idstein 42 F 277 Crysstal Lake IL 3:31:48.19 1:38:32 3:31:51 8:06
6 Soledad Meade 40 F 401 Milford CT 3:32:52.47 1:42:19 3:32:59 8:08
7 Sandra Sheehy 45 F 548 North Attleboro MA 3:34:42.90 1:46:06 3:35:11 8:13
8 Lindsay Ruthven 34 F 521 Mashpee MA 3:36:29.88 1:48:35 3:36:43 8:17
9 Sheila Lapointe 39 F 329 Lunenburg MA 3:37:19.14 1:42:35 3:37:45 8:19
10 Laura Harding 42 F 242 Durham NH 3:38:27.15 1:45:04 3:38:44 8:21
10 Samantha Gesuele 29 F 218 Deer Park NY 3:41:40.30 1:44:03 3:41:52 8:29

Click here for complete results.

 Tags  Amica Marathon Elizabeth Foster Keven O'Neil

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