PHOENIX — Mike Aish of New Zealand, a 12-time Division II champion at Western State, won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix on Sunday, earning his first victory with smart strategy and a strong kick.
Aish, 31, who had completed only one previous marathon — finishing 13th in the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in December 2006 — was timed in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 20 seconds, beating runner-up Dejene Yirdawe of Ethiopia by 50 seconds.
Aish, who lives in Gunnison, stayed in the lead pack throughout the 26.2-mile race. Then, at 24 1/2 miles, Aish made his move and Yirdawe was unable to keep pace.
“It’s amazing when you’re in front, you feel nothing can stop you,” Aish said.
The women’s competition was won by an Ethiopian for the fifth consecutive year, with Adanech Zekiros repeating as champion in a course-record 2:31:14.
