Deja vu for Big Sur Half Marathon winners

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Runners take off at the start of the Big Sur Half-Marathon in Monterey on Sunday. David Royal - Monterey Herald

MONTEREY >> The lineup on the awards podium after Sunday's Big Sur Half Marathon looked eerily similar to last year.

In the men's ceremony, Jacob Chemtai stood atop the winner's perch, next to second place finisher Nelson Oyugi ... same as last year. And the women's winner, Sarah Kiptoo, was doing an encore appearance as well.

It was the first time in the 12 annual races alongside Monterey Bay that there were repeat winners. They both took home $3,000 in prize money. All three are members of the AmericaKenyan Running Club based in Santa Fe, New Mexico,

Conditions were perfect for a fast race, with virtually no wind and cool temperatures (in the 50s). Chemtai and Oyugi took advantage, breaking away, along with Guor Maker, from the rest of the field a half mile into the 13.1-mile race.

They were never challenged after that and Maker, who competed in the 2012 Olympic marathon, dropped off the pace after about five miles. Much like last year, Chemtai pulled away in the final half mile. The 27-year-old's winning time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 22 seconds was 38 seconds slower than his performance last year.

Oyugi was second in 1:03:31. Maker finished third in 1:05.52. Although he is originally from South Sudan, Maker is now a U.S. citizen and was the top American finisher.

In the women's race, Kiptoo dominated from the start, beating former Penn State All-American runner Kara Foster by 49 seconds in 1:13:40. Foster's time of 1:14.29 qualified her for the U.S. Olympic Trials and earned her a $500 bonus from the race.

Kristen Zaitz of Broomfield, Colorado finished third in 1:14:37.

In the Masters Men division, Chris Knorzer of Rocklin was the winner in 1:11:05, followed by Seaside's Jair Sanchez Lagunes.

In the Masters Women's race, 59-year-old Christine Kennedy of Los Gatos won in 1:27.19. Kennedy has won five Masters titles at the Big Sur Half Marathon.

Big Sur Half Marathon

Top finishers

Men

1. Jacob Chemtai, 1:03.22

2. Nelson Oyugi, 1:03.31

3. Guor Maker, 1:05.52

4. Stephen Muange, 1:06.32

5. Sean Gildea, 1:06:33

Women

1. Sarah Kiptoo, 1:13.40

2. Kara Foster, 1:14.29

3. Kristen Zaitz, 1:14.37

4. Serkalem Abrha, 1:14.58

5. Jane Murage, 1:15.47