Grandma's Past: The 2006 Champions

As part of our Grandma's Marathon coverage this week, Down the Backstretch is remembering recent Grandma's champions and the races they won.

Today, the champions of 2006:

Svetlana Nekhorosh -- Although Nekhorosh crossed the Grandma's finish-line as the #2 woman in '06, she was elevated to race champion after apparent winner Halina Karnatsevich was disqualified for a doping violation. The Ukrainian's delayed victory was made possible by a blazing last 10K -- Nekhorosh clocked 36:32 in the final 6.2 miles, more than a minute faster than any of her competitors over that stretch.

Segei Lukin -- 2005 Grandma's champion Wesly Ngetich eschewed his patient winning formula in the '06 race, building more than a minute lead on the field by half-way. Lukin, though, caught the struggling Ngetich at the top of Lemon Drop Hill in the 23rd mile and motored on to victory in 2:14:30. Ngetich would finish only 6th in 2:20:13.

Results of the 2006 Grandma's Marathon are HERE.

Photos by Jeff Frey & Associates, courtesy of Grandma’s Marathon.