Participation Records Set at 29th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (May 13, 2006) - Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle didn't deter American Fernando Cabada or the thousands of participants who took part in the 25K, 5K Run and 5K Community Walk events at the 29th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run on Saturday, May 13.

Shattering the former 25K American record (1:14:38) set by Ed Eyestone in October 1991 in Indianapolis, IN, Cabada crossed the finish line in 1:14:20 for an unofficial new 25K American record. The record is pending based on verification by United States Track & Field, the governing body of road racing. In addition to his $4,000 first place prize purse, Cabada will also take home the $4,000 first place prize purse for the 25K USA National Championship for a total payday of $8,000. On the women's side, Viktoriya Klimina from Russia took first place in the Open Division (1:27:46) and Turena Johnson-Lane from Muncie, IN took first place in the 25K USA National Championship.

Photo: Viktoriya Klimina

Close to 12,000 people participated in the 29th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run, almost 1,000 more than in 2005, setting a new participation record for the event. The 25K race hosted 5,212 participants (4,721/ 2005), the first time the event has exceeded 5,000 participants since 1978. The 5K Run involved 4,208 participants (3,662/2005), also setting a record for event attendance. The 5K Walk had 1,000 participants (885/2005) and Fifth Third Junior in Wyoming on Wednesday, May 10 involved 1,427 kids between the ages of 5 to 13. Fifth Third Junior in Holland on Thursday, May 11 was cancelled due to high winds. The final participation number totaled 11,847 after late registration closed on Saturday.

The following is a list of the 2006 Fifth Third River Bank Run division winners:

MALE OPEN

1 Fernando Cabada, 24, Bristol, VA, 1:14:20

2 Julius Kibet Koskei, 24, KENYA, 1:15:05

3 Mbarak Hussein, 41, Albuquerque, NM, 1:16:52

FEMALE OPEN

1 Viktoriya Klimina, 29, Russia, 1:27:46

2 Turena Johnson-Lane, 30, Muncie, IN, 1:28:41

3 Melissa White, 25, Rochester Hills, MI, 1:29:20

MALE 25K USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Fernando Cabada, 24, Bristol, VA, 1:14:20

2 Mbarak Hussein, 41, Albuquerque, NM, 1:16:52

3 Fasil Bizuneh, 26, Marina, CA, 1:17:05

4 Josh Eberly, 25, Rochester, MI, 1:17:08

5 Mike Morgan, 26, Rochester Hills, MI, 1:17:15

6 Kyle Baker, 30, Grand Rapids, MI, 1:17:46

7 Justin Young, 26, Boulder, CO, 1:17:47.80

8 Jacob Frey, 24, Oakton, VA, 1:17:47.85

9 Nicholas Stanko, 25, Ann Arbor, MI, 1:17:53

10 Steven Crane, 24, Ypsilanti, MI, 1:18:14

FEMALE 25K USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Turena Johnson-Lane, 30, Muncie, IN, 1:28:41

2 Melissa White, 25, Rochester Hills, MI, 1:29:20

3 Dana Coons, 27, Charlottesville, NC, 1:30:58

4 Desiree Budd, 26, Mankato, MN, 1:31:08

5 Sopagna Eap, 25, Eugene, OR, 1:31:31

6 Alvina Begay, 25, Ganatoo, AZ, 1:31:32

7 Cassandra Henkiel, 36, Austin, TX, 1:32:10

8 Chris Lundy, 35, Sausalito, CA, 1:32:29

9 Beth Old, 31, St. Petersburg, FL, 1:32:29

10 Dot McMahan, 29, Rochester Hills, MI, 1:32:38

MALE 25K MASTERS CHAMPION

1 Mbarak Hussein, 41, Albuquerque, NM, 1:16:52

2 Paul Aufdemberge, 41, Redford, MI, 1:20:47

3 Dan Held, 40, Pewaukee, WI, 1:21:45

FEMALE 25K MASTERS CHAMPION

1 Kim Jones, 48, Fort Collins, CO, 1:45:40

2 Beth Moras, 47, Ridgewood, NJ, 1:46:27

3 Peggy Zeeb, 47, Colon, MI, 1:50:39

WHEELCHAIR RACING DIVISION

1 Krige Schabort, 42, Cedartown, GA, 51:53

HANDCYCLE RACING DIVISION

1 Glen Ashlock, 44, Dexter, MI, 58:56

FIFTH THIRD 5K RUN

OVERALL MALE

1 Philip Lagat, 23, Ann Arbor, MI, 14:41:85

OVERALL FEMALE

1 Suzanne Larsen, 28, Fenton, MI, 18:03

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Kristen Aidif, Race Director

616.771.1590

M 616.862.2460

runinfo@53riverbankrun.com