Austin marathan hosts runners from across world

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Runners from all 50 states and nearly 25 foreign countries took part in the 22nd Livestrong Austin Marathon and Half Marathon and the Paramount Break-a-Leg 5K on Sunday.

Each field provided an exciting race, but the men’s marathon winner came as a surprise in the final miles.  Jared Carson of Georgia was in the lead through mile 20, and was fully expected to beat out Omar Martinez who trailed half a mile behind him.

However Martinez, a Mexico native and member of the Boulder Track Club, closed the gap to pass Carson and finish first in 2:35:09. William Washer of New Jersey came up second in 2:30:00 and Carson took third in 2:40:25.

On the women’s side, Mariko Neveu finished first in 2:55:04. Neveu recently moved to Austin from Boston and recently competed in the 3M Half Marathon as well.

In the half marathon, the BTC was once again well represented, taking first and second place.

Lee Troop, a native of Geelong, Australia, and the coach of marathon-winner Omar Martinez, took the lead from the beginning and kept a steady pace of about five- to six-minute splits for most of the race. He finished in 1:06:46.

Three time Olympic qualifier and fellow BTC member Clint Wells came in second in 1:09:44.

Melissa Johnson-White was the first female half-marathoner to cross the finish line in 1:15:25. White is currently training with the Hansons-Brooks Olympic Development Program in Mich. and was the favorite to win. The 2012 half-marathon champion, Allison Mendez, finished strong, just 30 seconds behind White, taking second place.

The Paramount Break-a-Leg 5K had a recording-breaking 1,500 participants this year. Joseph Niland of New Braunfels and Austin native Julie Cattrell placed first overall with times of 16:49 and 19:03, respectively.

This year the race also hosted a Military Reception tent at the finish line. An estimated 300 service men and women joined John Conley and Major Miguel Torres, Executive Officer for Recruiting and Retention Command with the Texas Army National Guard to honor top military division finishers. 

Jason Smith of Keller, Texas (2:59:07) and Drury Sweetser of Bossier City, Louisiana (3:48:27) finished first in the full marathon military division. Texans Richard Powell of San Marcos (1:13:36) and Dionne Curry from Spring (1:39:20) finished first in the half marathon.

In addition to honoring active duty military at home in Austin, the races assisted with shadow runs overseas at four bases in Kuwait and Afghanistan. More than 60 service men and women at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Fenty, FOB Salerno and FOB Orgun E and Area Support Group Kuwait participated.

Browse through full race results online . All results are unofficial at this time.