First-time marathoner wins Salt Lake City Marathon

Former Southern Utah University distance star Clinton Rhoton joked after winning the 14th annual Alaska Airlines Salt Lake City Marathon on Saturday that he always thought marathons were for runners who no longer could run 5-kilometer races quickly.

This marked the 29-year-old Rhoton's first try at a marathon, and he made winning it look easy on a perfect day for a race that brought thousands of participants and fans into the northern part of the Salt Lake Valley.

He obviously can run a marathon quickly.

Rhoton defeated second-place Jesse Dunn by more than two minutes, crossing the line in 2 hours, 35 minutes, 13 seconds to Dunn's 2:37.41. Samson Mutua finished third in 2:40.33.

The southern Utah-based runner got a quick start as he went out with the half-marathon runners who were sharing the early part of the course. But he seemed to have plenty of energy after winning in his first marathon try.

Kristen Olsen of Fruit Heights also was an easy winner, finishing in 2:55.54 to beat second-place Laura Rheinemann, who finished second at 3:07.16.

"I was by myself the whole time," said the 31-year-old Olsen, who cheered loudly at the finish line because her prize included two Alaska Airlines tickets and she wanted to go to Hawaii. "Mentally I knew it was going to be a hard race, but I buckled down, got in the zone and got with it."

This was Olsen's 12th marathon. Her only other win came two years ago in the Big Cottonwood event.

"I did not run in college," she said. "I did my first after I had my first baby, and I wanted to get back into shape."

The colorful event drew more than 6,000 participants in the marathon, half marathon, 5-kilometer run, 10-kilometer skate and bike tour. They represented 47 states and 16 countries.

The finish line near Library Square and the City County Building provided a backdrop for colorful runners, sign-carrying families showing support and more than a few dogs. Participants came in all shapes and sizes, including a 93-year-old and youngsters being rolled across the finish line in strollers by their parents.

Layton's Brett Hales edged Travis Morrison by 14 seconds to win the half marathon.

"It was almost seven months since I raced," said Hales, who had been battling illnesses. "This was my debut for 2017. It was a rust buster. It was a challenging course. I was glad I could hang in there."

Former University of Utah runner Jocelyn Todd captured the women's half marathon with a 26-second win over Sylvia Bedford. She said this was part of a plan to do well on the road racing circuit.

Orem runner Rachel Perkins Young accomplished a rarity in the 5K by being a female who won the overall race. Her time of 17:50 beat top men's runner Simon Mitchell, who finished at 18:06.

"Right now, I am just in training," she said. "This was a good tuneup for me. I am training for longer races this summer and a marathon in the fall."

Twitter @tribtomwharton