Record Numbers, New Features, and a Mid-Race Marriage Proposal Highlight the 2009 Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon

ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI (September 15th, 2009) — Sunny skies greeted over 5,000 race participants at the 2009 Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon in St. Charles, Missouri, on September 13th. The event, which is hosted by FLEET FEET Sports, marked a watershed in the race's 8-year history, with a record number of finishers and the addition of several new mid- and post-race features. 

Nearly 5,200 participants crossed the finish line in 2009, besting the race's previous record by 18%. Nearly 250 of those participants had received structured coaching throughout the summer as members of the FLEET FEET Training Team.  And for the first time in the race's history, official pacing groups were provided by the FLEET FEET Runners Club for both the full and half marathon, offering runner's the convenience of experienced pacers and running partners. 

Impressive numbers abounded on race day.  Each mile mark along the half marathon course was marked by a shiny new Lexus luxury vehicle, courtesy of Dave Mungenast Lexus. The cars displayed large mile marker signs and blared motivating music as the runners passed by. The 200 volunteers lining the course cheered participants and handed out refreshments literally by the ton. Over 4000 gallons of water in 90,000 cups were distributed along the course. At the finish line, 8000 bottles of Absopure water, 4000 North Star popsicles, 3400 Great Harvest rolls, 3300 cookies, 2700 bags of chips, 2000 granola bars, 1300 bananas, 1200 oranges, and 114 pounds of grapes were consumed. With the assistance of Aspen Waste, 74% of the waste generated by the race was recycled.  The 150 portable toilets provided by R&R Sanitation were made of recycled plastic and all supplies were made from recycled materials.  Finishers were also treated to live music by The Delicious Fishes and Michelob Ultra beer, the latter the result of this year’s event earning status as a member of the Michelob ULTRA Race Series. 

Both race courses ran along both sides of the Missouri River, crossing over Route 370’s aptly named Discovery Bridge. The marathoners also tour the Katy Trail, once the path of the K-T Railroad.  After overcoming the setback of being mistakenly directed to turn left one street too early, the first dozen runners quickly returned to the planned course and posted dominating performances. Kirpruto Rotich of Columbia, Missouri, came in first overall in the half marathon, while Brian Baillie of Carbondale, Illinois, and Larry Huffman of Maryville, Illinois, placed second and third overall, respectively. In the half marathon women’s division, St. Charles native Jackie Pirtle-Hall came in first; Erica Schoeller of St. Louis finished second; and Sarah Jarvis of Elsah, Illinois, came in third. In the full marathon, James Cheruiyot finished first overall, while RJ Sak and Tom Whalen, both from St. Louis, finished second and third, respectively. For the women, Erin Schaub of Brownstown, Illinois came in first; Amy Shell of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, came in second; and Renee White, from Michael, Illinois, came in third. 

Several state single age records were set this year. In the half marathon, Gail Ford set the new Missouri record for women 56 years old, while Mary Otte set a new state record for women 84 years old. Also in the half, Bonnie Bence set an impressive new state record in the women's 65-69 age group. In the full marathon, Trudy Nepsted, set the new state record for women 78 years old. 

Other highlights during the race included a marriage proposal at mile marker 12 and an inspirational finish by two cousins, one with spinal muscular atrophy. Ron Gubitz, of St. Louis, surprised Leslie Smith, also of St. Louis, with one mile left in the half marathon by leading her to the side of the course, kneeling down, and proposing marriage. The newly-engaged couple then completed the last mile of the race and met their awaiting family at the finish line. In the full marathon, Kristyn Birrell of Bozeman, Montana, completed the full 26.2 miles of her race pushing her 12-year-old cousin, Chessa Birrell, in a specially-constructed jogger. Chessa, who is from Georgia, has spinal muscular atrophy, and has no use of her legs and extremely limited use of her arms. The cousins were cheered along the entire course, and received a huge ovation as they crossed the finish line. 

FLEET FEET Sports would like to thank the following sponsors, governments, agencies, and boards who made this race possible: Michelob ULTRA, Dave Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis, GU Energy Gel and GU Brew, 180 Energy Drinks, Great Harvest Bread Company, North Star, Superfeet, St. Peters Bone and Joint Surgery, Excel Physical Therapy, Absopure Water, Krey Distributing Company, My Way Mobile Storage, St. Louis Injury and Rehabilitation Center, Aspen Waste Systems, Aquaphor, the City of St. Charles, St. Charles County, the Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis County, the City of Maryland Heights, the City of Bridgeton, the Earth City Board, the Riverport Trustees, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 

Proceeds from the event benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the St. Charles Humane Society. 

About FLEET FEET Sports: FLEET FEET Sports opened in St. Louis in 1993. Retail stores in Chesterfield, St. Charles, and Fenton specialize in providing runners, walkers and multisport athletes in the St. Louis area with shoes, apparel, and accessories that meet their specific needs. Their event management division is involved in over fifty running and walking events every year.

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