NASHVILLE — The 10th annual Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon was a hot one.
Kenya's Amos Matui didn't seem to mind.Matui, 33, made his first marathon in America a memorable one by taming the streets of downtown Nashville on Saturday morning in 2:13:41 — the fastest time here in six years and just 45 seconds off the course record set by Luke Kibet in the inaugural race.
Matui took the lead with less than a mile remaining, as depleted countryman Alphonce Yatich Kibor was unable to maintain the torrid pace he set in the first 22 miles and slowed to a jog. Kibor finished second in 2:14:53, one second ahead of Matui's younger brother, Noah Tatam.
"It was too crazy (a pace)," Matui said. "When I had a view of him one minute ahead, I increased the pace. I realized I could pass, so I tried to boost it a little bit."
But the festive day took a tragic turn.
With temperatures climbing toward the 80s as the sun rose in crystal clear skies, 31,000-plus runners were left reaching for sponges and dousing themselves with water during their 26.2- and 13.1-mile treks.
One runner who took part in the half-marathon portion, collapsed and died after crossing the finish line at L.P. Field. The runner's name was not immediately released.
"Medical personnel were on the scene and attempted to revive him but their efforts were in vain," read a statement by Bruce Herring, president of Elite Racing, which organizes the event. "This is an unfortunate and tragic loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to family and friends."
Several other runners were carted off on stretchers and packed in ice when they finished.
"It's definitely the hottest one we've had in Nashville," CMM General Manager Adam Zocks said. "It's been a pretty day and we've had a record number of participants. It's not ideal weather conditions..."
The heat got to 23-year-old Tatiana Pushkareva of Russia, but not before she was the first woman to cross in 2:36:43. She vomited several times after crossing the finish line.
"I feel like I was very hot and not used to that because the summers in Russia are cold," she said through a translator.
Pushkareva pocketed $10,000. Matui won $20,000 thanks to the "Battle of the Sexes," a new competition with a $10,000 incentive for the first finisher regardless of gender. The Elite women got an 18-minute, 30-second head start, but the first five to cross were men.
Ben Payne of Columbus, Miss., won the half-marathon in 1:10:42. Christina Roberto of New Haven, Conn., was the top female in 1:23:15.
"It got very hot," Roberto said. "I slowed down a lot at mile seven and then the last two miles I was dying. All I thought about was finishing."
The start of the race was picture perfect.
Athlete Village in Centennial Park was packed by 5:45 a.m. Mayor Karl Dean spoke to a rainbow-clad sea of runners lining West End Avenue shortly before they took off at 7:05 a.m. He encouraged everyone to spend money while they were in town.
Temperatures were still pleasant at that hour, but everyone knew it wouldn't last.
"I've heard it's a very hilly, tough course. That makes me nervous," said Jaime Murdoch, a 24-year-old Murfreesboro resident who ran her first half-marathon. "I don't really mind the heat as long as I stay hydrated. I'm definitely planning on walking a little, but I want to finish in two-and-a-half hours."
First-aid stations along the course stayed busy, and the first-aid tent at the finish line looked like a McDonald's drive-thru at lunch hour.
Some runners kept their minds off of the heat by listening to musicians along the route. Others had iPods strapped to their arms.
"Anything that peps me up and keeps me going," said Mark Best, 43, of Franklin.
Runners received a medal when they finished — often from the willing and anxious hands of two Birmingham volunteers: Cole King, 9, and sister Cheyenne, 6.
"Their mom is running, so I'm sure they're looking for her," father Bruce King said. "They were just as diligent at unpacking the medals as they are at handing them out."
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