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Powers, Wesolovski win Blue Ridge Marathon


JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times


Men's marathon winner Jeff Powers climbs Mill Mountain during the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke on Saturday. “This was tough,” said Powers, a 30-year-old Ph.D. student at Temple University.

JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times


Heather Wesolovski of Astoria, N.Y., won the women’s full marathon Saturday.

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Liana Bayne | 981-3364 

Saturday, April 20, 2013


Hundreds of people completed the Blue Ridge full and half marathons today.

Sponsored by Foot Levelers, the race course challenged runners with three mountain climbs, notably up and down Mill Mountain.

Jeff Powers, of Philadelphia, was the men's winner with an official time of 2:39:48 . Abu Diriba, of Ethiopia, finished second with a time of 2:41:20. Heather Wesolovski from Astoria New York was the women's winner with a time of 3:23:44. Natalie St.John finished second with a time of 3:34:33.

For some runners, it was the first time they’d attempted a half marathon; for others, it was their fourth marathon of the year. But most of them agreed: the race provided great views from the Blue Ridge Parkway and friendly onlookers, cheering them.

It also carried significance in the running world as the first major marathon to take place since Monday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon. Many runners embraced the idea of “Run for Boston,” a term many wore on bracelets, stickers and t-shirts. Still others wore blue and yellow or Boston Red Sox gear.

“I’m really touched by it,” said Joe Cutrufo, a runner from Boston who traveled to Saturday’s marathon with his wife. “It’s really nice to see the outpouring of support for my city.”

The marathon also featured an increased police presence, which many runners said made them feel safer.

Check tomorrow’s paper and roanoke.com later today for more from the marathon.