Calgary’s Benard Onsare wins Niagara International Marathon

The Kenyan, who lives in Calgary, won the race after running the Chicago Marathon just two weeks ago.

Benard Onsare followed up a solid performance at the Chicago Marathon less than one month ago with a win in Niagara Falls.

The Kenyan, who lives in Calgary, won in a time of 2:26:04. He ran just quickly enough to outpace second place challenger Marco Dozzi of Montreal, who finished a minute and a half behind. American Jason Mayeroff lead through the first half, but dropped off the pace, taking home third place in 2:30:34. Onsare ran 2:19:36 in Chicago, placing 27th overall.

Brockville’s Paula Wiltse won the women’s race. The talented 45-year-old hadn’t run a marathon since 2006 and increased her weekly volume from 90 to 130K per week in advance of this Sunday’s race.

“It’s basically what you have to do for a marathon,” Wiltse told reporters after her win on the scenic international course. “It feels great. It’s the first time I’ve done this marathon. Usually I do the half-marathon.”

Wiltse had been hoping for a sub-2:50 but was pleased with a 2:51:57 and the win.

Derek Nakluski won the half-marathon in 1:05:34. The native of Kitchener has had quite a bit of success at races near the Canada-United States border. Last fall, he won the Detroit Marathon, which also crosses over into Canada.

Rejean Chiasson placed second in the half-marathon, after pacing Krista DuChene through the entire 42.2K effort at last weekend’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Kenyan Lucy Njeri, who lives in Toronto, won the women’s half-marathon in an impressive time of 1:13:57. Njeri also ran the full marathon at STWM, as well as the Victoria half-marathon two weeks ago.

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