St. George Marathon: Locals take 1st place in men’s, women’s categories; STGnews Videocast, Photo Gallery

Written by Rhonda and Samantha Tommer
October 4, 2014
St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 4, 2014 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

ST.GEORGE – Maybe it’s a home course advantage, but Aaron Metler and Amber Green will issue no apologies.

St. George resident Metler took first place Saturday at the 2014 St. George Marathon, while Green, also of St. George, came in first in the women’s division.  Metler, who works for the City of St. George, the race’s sponsor and host, finished in the exceptional time of two hours, 19.06 seconds, more than three minutes faster than his winning time in 2010.

Fritz Van de Kamp, from Salt Lake City, placed second. He is the winner of last year’s race.

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Videocast by Samantha Tommer

Amber Green crossed the finish line in just 2:43:27, the first finisher in the womens category.  Green also took first place two years ago and second place last year. This was Green’s 12th St. George Marathon.

Aaron Metler and Amber Green of St. George took first-place in male and female categories, St. George, Utah, October 4, 2014 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Aaron Metler and Amber Green of St. George took first-place in male and female categories, Vernon Worthen Park Finish Line, St. George, Utah, October 4, 2014 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

The top 10 finishers in the men’s division are from Utah and 9 of the top 10 female finishers reside in Utah and one is from New Mexico.

Jerry Young of Providence, Utah, claimed first place for the hand-cycle division with an official time of 58:09:53. Nine of the top 10 handcycle participants reside in Utah and one is from Las Vegas. Kasey McAllister of Monmouth, Oregon, placed first in the wheelchair division with a time of 1:16:52. Utah resident Nathan Crowton, of Ogden, came in second with a time of 2:09:09.

There were 5,618 people registered to participate in Saturday’s St. George Marathon, which is the city’s 38th year of hosting the event.

Koichiro Yamamoto of sister city, Ibigawa, Japan, crossed the finish line at 2:40:10.  Yamamoto earned a place in the St. George Marathon by winning or placing in the marathon in Ibigawa.

First timers enjoy the experience

First time marathoners Ken and Josh Kanaversky crossed the finish line together at 5:47:24.  This father and son team starting training in June.

“My dad is the reason I did it,” Josh Kaneversky said. “I’d be sitting on the couch if he didn’t pull me into it. As a first time marathoner, it’s scary and overwhelming. But it’s amazing. I can’t imagine it going any better.”

Ken Kaneversky felt the same way. “I’m blessed that I had a chance to do it, and I’m doubly blessed to do it with my son,” he said. “It’s something to be proud of. It was amazing and I don’t know how it could get much better.”

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Fewer injuries reported

Two runners were transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George by Gold Cross Ambulance in the late afternoon. The condition of the runners was not reported, Marc Mortensen, Assistant to the St. George City Manager, said. Medical personnel at the finish line said there has been fewer injuries than in past years. Dehydration is fairly common, he said. Temperatures for this year’s marathon were ideal, he said.

Debbie Zockoll, another St. George resident, has run in all 38 St. George Marathons.

Green, who relocated from out of state, said she fell in love with Southern Utah after her first St. George Marathon and decided she had to live in Dixie.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda and Samantha Tommer are a mother-daughter journalism team. Rhonda began her journalism career in 1989 and Samantha expressed interest in journalism her freshman year of college. She is now completing her bachelor's degree in mass communication and criminal justice. The Tommer team brings their love for journalism and truth in reporting to the St. George News team.

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4 Comments

  • Beverly and Bob Sands October 4, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Great coverage, you two!!! Fabulous photos!!! Elvis has left the route!

  • Julie A. October 4, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    Great photos. Elvis? Too cool!

  • Alfanos October 4, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Amber is amazing, job well done!!!

  • 435MLS October 7, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    What a great event! It has such a great family vide – wonderful representation of Southern Utah. Active, Fun, Vibrant!

    Way to go St. George

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