Photo: Veteran Cook Islands athletes Mona Henderson (left) and Ake Hosea-Winterflood share the moment as they cross the half marathon finish line on Saturday. 09092604
They might have crossed the half marathon finish line on Saturday morning holding hands. But according to the race officials, Cook Islands athletes Ake Hosea-Winterflood (at right) pipped Mona Henderson by .05 of a second.
Hosea-Winterflood crossed the line in fourth place (women’s) in two hours 23 minutes and 34.31 seconds according to the official results.
And that wasn’t bad considering that she nearly got swiped by a guy riding a motorcycle while running on her first lap around Nikao-Avarua.
“We finished and we are winners too,” said Henderson after they both crossed the line in barefeet.
Henderson’s husband Kevin finished in eighth place in a time of 1:31:23.59, and he was slightly disappointed.
“I would have liked to have done 1.24. I felt comfortable at the start, it was cool, and I have run faster around Raro.”
But the athlete, who is probably more comfortable running barefeet, may have regretted discarding his shoes during
the race. : Cook Islands News
Last Modified on 30/09/2009 07:06