Ann Centner Breaks Women’s Course Record at Napa Valley Marathon

March 8, 2022

The iconic race welcomed the largest field in its 43-year history on Sunday.

NAPA, CA /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – Chilly morning temperatures gave way to perfect running conditions as Ann Centner, 30, of Tallahassee, Florida, made history on the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon course on Sunday morning. Centner, the new female course record holder, clocked a time of 2:38:30, over one minute faster than the previous course record. When asked about her experience out on course, Centner touched on the ideal running conditions and beautiful scenery as sources of constant inspiration.

Taking the top men’s spot and eking out an Olympic Trials qualifying time of 2:17:56 was Mason Frank, 32, of Aurora, Colorado. While the existing men’s course record remains intact, Frank was in high spirits at the awards ceremony as he remarked that today’s race marked his third Olympic Trials qualifying time (2:18:00 for men). Both champions were sent home with an etched double magnum, a case of Napa Valley wine, and custom coasters and medals.

Temperatures were in the mid 60s at the finish line of the 43rd Annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon. The race, a long-time staple on the winter race calendar, reached an early sell out this year. 5,100 runners gathered to run one of three offered distances: the marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), or the Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa 5K. The March 6, 2022 race was the first in-person event the nonprofit produced since 2020. The 2021 race was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In the half marathon race, Amanuel Tikue, 31, of Oakland, took the top spot with an impressive time of 1:03:35, also a new course record. Tikue’s previous achievements include having raced in the London and Rio Olympics, and clocking 60 minutes in the half marathon distance four times. Lizzy Roundtree, 29, of San Francisco crossed the finish line in 1:15:57, and returning marathon champion Liza Reichert took the third place female podium spot.

For the full 2022 official results, click here. For additional information about the race and how to sign up for next year, visit napavalleymarathon.org.

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About the Napa Valley Marathon, Inc.

Napa Valley Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars back into the local community over its 43-year tenure. NVM, Inc. currently has two event weekends under its nonprofit umbrella, the Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon, held in early March, and the WineShine Half Marathon & 3.9-Miler, held in mid-July. Proceeds from both events will go into supporting charitable endeavors in the Napa Valley in the form of educational scholarships and donations to service, cause, and environmentally based groups.