Chaz Davis, Alison Lynch Capture Marathon National Titles

The 12th United States Association of Blind Athletes Marathon National Championships presented by Allworth Financial took place on Sunday, December 5, in Sacramento, Calif., in conjunction with the California International Marathon. The race featured 41 runners who are blind and visually impaired, along with 64 guide runners helping them navigate the course either for the full 26.2-mile distance or on relay teams.

The weather was cool and overcast, with temperatures hovering in the 40s for most of the race, ideal running temperatures which led to many personal-best times for the USABA runners.

Successfully defending his title in the men’s overall VI division was 2016 Paralympian Chaz Davis (Boston, Mass.) with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 27 seconds. Second place went to Andrew Thorsen (Bremerton, Wash.) in 2:51:13, while Matt Rodjom (Fairfax, Va.) took third place with a time of 2:59:22.

In the women’s overall VI division, Alison Lynch (New York, N.Y.) was the top finisher in 4:01:36, followed by Lindsey Ball (Norfolk, Va.) in 4:08:05 and Jessica Beecham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in 4:22:08.

Thorsen and Alexandra Brown (Monroe, N.C.) were honored with the Richard Hunter Excellence in Running Awards at the post-race award ceremony. The award is presented annually by the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) to the top VI male and top VI female finishers who have never run the Boston Marathon. Winners receive a free Boston Marathon registration, three nights of lodging in Boston and $500 toward their flight. The Boston Athletic Association has also recognized the award by allowing recipients to run the upcoming Boston Marathon even when registration for everyone else is closed.

In addition to title sponsor Allworth Financial, the USABA Marathon National Championships also received support from platinum sponsor Healthy Vision Association, gold sponsors Delta Gamma Fraternity and the Department of Veterans Affairs, silver sponsors Dan & Terri Streetman and Kiersten & Cameron Mosbacher, and bronze sponsors Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Michael Schermer, Society for the Blind and Eric Waterman.

FULL RESULTS

Men’s Overall
1. Chaz Davis (Boston, Mass.) 2:33:27
2. Andrew Thorsen (Bremerton, Wash.) 2:51:13
3. Matt Rodjom (Fairfax, Va.) 2:59:22

Women’s Overall
1. Alison Lynch (New York, N.Y.) 4:01:36
2. Lindsey Ball (Norfolk, Va.) 4:08:05
3. Jessica Beecham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 4:22:08

Men’s B1
1. Newton Nguyen (Berkeley, Calif.) 3:05:34
2. Irwin Ramirez (Alexandria, Va.) 3:08:05
3. Eric Strong (Charlotte, N.C.) 3:10:07
4. Francesco Magisano (New York, N.Y.) 3:39:52
5. Peter Field (Hope, British Columbia, Canada) 4:24:21
6. Roger Oberholzer (Folsom, Calif.) 4:40:53
7. Tim Paul (Chicago, Ill.) 4:46:57
8. David Kuhn (DeKalb, Ill.) 5:31:44
9. David Han (Santa Clara, Calif.) DNS

Women’s B1
1. Lindsey Ball (Norfolk, Va.) 4:01:36

Men’s B2
1. Chaz Davis (Boston, Mass.) 2:33:27
2. Matt Rodjom (Fairfax, Va.) 2:59:22
3. Joseph Burket (Louisville, Ky.) 3:08:46
4. Richard Hunter (Folsom, Calif.) 3:16:47
5. Charles Catterall (Gillette, Wyo.) 3:25:14
6. Erich Manser (Littleton, Mass.) 4:06:16
7. Joseph Retherford (Suisun City, Calif.) 4:42:15
8. Ed McDaniel (Morganton, N.C.) 5:45:56
9. Mike Mozeko (Bethlehem, Pa.) 6:46:38

Women’s B2
1. Jessica Beecham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 4:22:08
2. Alexandra Brown (Monroe, N.C.) 4:35:40

Men’s B3
1. Andrew Thorsen (Bremerton, Wash.) 2:51:13
2. Chris Lancaster (Dawsonville, Ga.) 3:18:49
3. Jason Romero (Denver, Colo.) 3:34:52
4. Corvin Bazgan (San Carlos, Calif.) 3:45:58
5. Nafij Ahmed (Astoria, N.Y.) 4:28:42
6. William Laramie (Hammond, Ind.) 4:46:07
7. Jason Savageau (Boston, Mass.) 4:52:50
8. Warren Knight (Philadelphia, Pa.) 5:03:46
9. Rob Sanchas (Warren, R.I.) 5:31:40
10. Ken Clausell (San Jose, Calif.) DNF

Women’s B3
1. Alison Lynch (New York, N.Y.) 4:01:36
2. Melissa Quintero (Poplar, Calif.) DNS

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