By BILL KOPATICH, The Des Moines Register
Talk centered around the expected battle between Robyn Friedman and Erin Moeller for the women’s title heading into the 20-kilometer Dam to Dam race today. It turns out neither Friedman nor Moeller had a say in who the winner would be.
Ethiopian Belainesh Gebre, a late entrant, made sure of that by winning in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 33 seconds. Moeller finished second in 1:13:02 and Friedman third in 1:13:19.
“I had good training going into the race,” Gebre said.
Added William Kosgei, who translated part of the interview for Gebre: “She feels really good about beating two really good runners in Erin and Robyn. She feels winning this race is a reward for her extensive training.”
Matthew Chesang won the men’s 20k race for the second consecutive year.
Chesang, who clocked in at 1:01:53, credited today’s mild weather conditions with helping him shave more than 2 minutes off last year’s winning time.\
“The weather was a lot better this year,” said Chesang, from Olathe, Kan. “Last year, the weather was chilly and a little bit windy. That made a difference of about 2 or 3 minutes.”
Chesang had to use a strong kick during the final 200 yards to edge Ezkyas Sisay of Flagstaff, Ariz., by 9 seconds.
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“The competition this year was tougher than it was last year,” Chesang said. “I like that because it makes the race more challenging.”
Gebre said she pulled away from the two favorites early in the race. Friedman was the defending champion and has staged a friendly rivalry over the years with Moeller, a fellow Iowan.
“From the start, she knew she could win this race,” Kosgei said. “She started fast and didn’t look back.”
Chesang said he and Sisay started pulling away during the seventh mile of the 12.4-mile race.
“By the eighth mile, it was just us two out front,” Chesang said.
Chesang sought out Sisay and shook hands with him after they crossed the finish line.
“I don’t know (Ezkyas),” Chesang said. “I shook hands with him because I thought he ran a good race.”
Kristy Feldman of West Des Moines recorded a time of 18:30 to win the 5-kilometer race for the fourth time. 15-year-old Evan Selsor of Winterset won the men’s 5k race in 16:29.
Today’s 29th running of the Dam to Dam featured a record number of participants, more than 8,200, according to race official Cal Murdock. The Dam to Dam features a 20-kilometer race, a 5k race and a children’s race.
Temperatures in the 60s at the race’s start and a light breeze provided ideal weather conditions.
“It was warm for running, but a perfect day for the last day of May,” Murdock said. “The Dam to Dam is turning into Iowa’s premier distance race.”
Today’s turnout smashed the old record of 6,500 last year.
“The Dam to Dam has caught everyone’s attention,” Murdock said. “The word has gotten out about the race.”