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Jason Saitta Claims his Sixth Victory and Laura Papas Finishes Top of the Women's Field at the 25th Annual Steamboat Marathon

Kelly Carlson claims her third victory in the half marathon while Tim Hola sets the pace on the men's side

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - For a quarter of a century, athletes have descended into Steamboat Springs from historic Hahns Peak village in the running of the Steamboat Marathon. Over 1,600 runners were warmly received at the finish line in front of the Routt County Courthouse in downtown Steamboat Springs by thousands of spectators at the 25th Annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k, Sunday, June 4, 2006.

Jason Saitta, 28, of Parker, Colorado won an unparalleled sixth Steamboat Springs Marathon with a time of 2:37:49. Siatta, with his best time ever in Steamboat, shaved three minutes and sixteen seconds off of last year's time, and took the title with over a sixteen-minute lead over local runner Andy Picking, 33, Steamboat Springs, Colorado who finished with a time of 2:54:32.  All three podium places finished under the three-hour mark as Thomas Whalen, 40, St. Louis, Missouri, came in with a time of 2:59:28.

On the women's side, Laura Papas, 33, from Boulder, Colorado, a transplant from Charleston South Carolina, crossed the finish line with a time of 3:29:28.  Coming in second was Carrie Ann Page, 38, Colorado Springs, Colorado with at time of 3:31:02, and Jennifer A. Schaffner, 34, of Golden, CO finished with a time of 3:31:24.

In the half marathon newcomer Tim Hola, 31, of Littleton, Colorado took top honors with a time of 1:17:10.  Also from Littleton, Colorado, Todd Larsen, 28, placed second with a time of 1:20:36 and Steven Sellers, 45, of Superior, Colorado finished with a time of 1:21:19.

Returning to the podium in the women's event, Lafayette, Colorado's Kelly Carlson, 41, claimed her third Half Marathon title (2000 and 2005) with a time of 1:29:34 and Kim Jones, 46, of Ft. Collins, Colorado finished second for the second year in a row with a time of 1:30:45, two minutes and sixteen seconds better than last year's time. Joining them on the podium this year was Inge McClory, Boulder, CO, 1:30:50, who finished fourth last year with a time of 1:34:00.

Competitors began the race in Hahns Peak, Colorado with unseasonably warm temperatures.  Temperatures rose into the 80s as racers finished in downtown Steamboat Springs under sunny skies.

The Steamboat Marathon course began at historic Hahn's Peak Village, which is 8,128 feet and located on the edge of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area north of Steamboat Springs.  The course winds down Colorado Highway 129 past ranches, open meadows, various mountain peaks, and the Elk River into downtown Steamboat Springs, elevation 6,728. The half marathon began at Moon Hill, near Clark, Colorado.

2006 STEAMBOAT MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON
TOP 5 FINISHERS' RESULTS

MALE OVERALL (FULL MARATHON)
1. Jason Saitta, Parker, CO, 28, 2:37:49 (2:41:02 in 2005, first place)
2. Andy Picking, Steamboat Springs, CO, 33, 2:54:32 (2:54:05 in 2005, fifth place)
3. Thomas Whalen, Saint Louis MO, 40, 2:59:28
4. Scott Johnson, Aurora CO, 21, 3:04:56
5. John Beech, Nederland CO, 49, 3:05:26

FEMALE OVERALL (FULL MARATHON)
1. Laura Papas, Boulder CO, 33, 3:29:28
2. Kerry Ann Page, Colorado Springs CO, 38, 3:31:02
3. Jennifer A. Schaffner, Golden CO, 34, 3:31:24
4. Tracey Ellenberg, Sherwood WI, 44, 3:33:14
5. Mary Welch, Evergreen CO, 39, 3:34:08

MALE OVERALL (HALF MARATHON)
1. Tim Hola, Littleton CO, 31, 1:17:10
2. Todd Larsen, Littleton CO, 28, 1:20:36
3. Steven Sellars, Superior CO, 45, 1:21:19
4. Paul Grant, Golden CO, 38, 1:21:49
5. Brad Pace, Fort Collins CO, 50, 1:22:49 (1:18:20 2005, first place)

FEMALE OVERALL (HALF MARATHON)
1. Kelly Carlson, Lafayette CO, 41, 1:29:34 (1:27:53 in 2005, first place)
2. Kim Jones, Fort Collins CO, 48, 1:30:45 (1:33:02 in 2005, second place)
3. Inge McClory, Boulder CO, 43, 1:30:50 (1:34:00 in 2005, fourth place)
4. Monica Umata-Alvarado, Guadalupe   27, 1:31:42
5. Lindsay Covington, Boulder CO, 32, 1:32:01, (1:34:01, fifth place)

MALE OVERALL (10K)
1. Jonathan Huie, Steamboat Springs CO, 26, 35:22
2. Greg Long, Steamboat Springs CO, 44, 39:06
3. Ted Romero, Boulder CO, 25, 39:37
4. Matt Bell, Denver CO, 15, 40:00
5. Mark Bell, Denver CO, 49, 40:25

FEMALE OVERALL (10K)
1. Christine Knight, Dacono CO, 37, 40:18
2. Lesia Atkinson, Boulder CO, 40, 41:37 (41:36 in 2005, second place)
3. Sarah E Walker, Greeley CO, 25, 42:54
4. Kim McConnell, Erie CO, 38, 43:51 (43:37 in 2005, fifth place)
5. Mary Shore, Fort Collins CO, 40, 44:51

For full results, please visit www.steamboatmarathon.com.

The 25th Annual Steamboat Springs Marathon is a production of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.  Special thanks to this year's marathon sponsors: Wells Fargo Bank, SmartWool, ResortQuest Steamboat, Christy Sports, Honey Stinger, Aquafina, Gatorade and Pinnacol Assurance.

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