Lehmkuhle and Vega Talk About Boston PRs

Quoting the Team USA Minnesota media release ...

Team USA Minnesota's Jason Lehmkuhle finished in ninth place and Antonio Vega was 12th at the Boston Marathon today, with both running personal best times. Lehmkuhle crossed the finish line in 2:12:24 (his previous best was 2:12:54) and Vega's time was 2:13:47 (previous was 2:15:45). The two were also the third and fourth Americans in the race, respectively.

Also competing at Boston on a day with sunny skies, cool temperatures in the 50s and a slight breeze, was Michelle Frey who finished 23rd in the women's race with a time of 2:42:38.

The 114th Boston marked Lehmkuhle's second appearance at the storied event, having first run the race from Hopkinton to Boston in 2007 when it was held in freezing rain and steady 15-to-20 mph winds. During that race Lehmkuhle cramped up in his legs, tried to drop out at the 24-mile mark and then did a walk/jog to the finish line for a disappointing time of 2:38:05. Since that time, he placed fifth at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in what was his personal best of 2:12:54, and then 10th at last fall's ING New York City Marathon.

Lehmkuhle shadowed by Vega.

"You couldn't have asked for much more in terms of the weather for today's race," said Lehmkuhle. "My last experience in Boston was totally different so this day was a pleasant departure from that experience. Overall, I am really pleased with my race and how I managed my energy. I felt I was also significantly better prepared than my last go around here in 2007 because we made it a real priority to do a lot of training on hills that closely simulate Boston."

Read the media release in its entirety -- including more quotes from Lehmkuhle and Vega -- HERE.

Photo by Victor Sailor/Photo Run.