It almost seems as if, one of these years, Maria Busienei is going to win the Charleston Distance Run.
Not just the women's division. The whole thing.
OK, that thought may be a reach, but the Charleston resident did finish fourth overall in the 15-mile road race, which began at the Capitol and finished at Laidley Field on Saturday morning.
Needless to say, Busienei dominated the women's side for her fourth such title in six tries with a winning time of one hour, 36 minutes, three seconds that was more than six minutes ahead of the nearest woman.
Not being pushed, Busienei ran at a pace of 6:25 per mile that wasn't nearly her best effort in Charleston. That came in 2007, when she scooted along the course in 1:27.38.
That time is less than two minutes behind the time of Saturday's men's winner, University of Charleston track and cross country coach Jason Pyles, who finished in 1:25:44. Pyles wasn't exactly gassed at the finish line, but still it makes one wonder.
Busienei is an accomplished runner and this race suits her.
"I like it because I live here. It's a nice course," said the 25-year-old. "South Hills is nice. [The weather today] is nice; it's not hot."
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It almost seems as if, one of these years, Maria Busienei is going to win the Charleston Distance Run.
Not just the women's division. The whole thing.
OK, that thought may be a reach, but the Charleston resident did finish fourth overall in the 15-mile road race, which began at the Capitol and finished at Laidley Field on Saturday morning.
Needless to say, Busienei dominated the women's side for her fourth such title in six tries with a winning time of one hour, 36 minutes, three seconds that was more than six minutes ahead of the nearest woman.
Not being pushed, Busienei ran at a pace of 6:25 per mile that wasn't nearly her best effort in Charleston. That came in 2007, when she scooted along the course in 1:27.38.
That time is less than two minutes behind the time of Saturday's men's winner, University of Charleston track and cross country coach Jason Pyles, who finished in 1:25:44. Pyles wasn't exactly gassed at the finish line, but still it makes one wonder.
Busienei is an accomplished runner and this race suits her.
"I like it because I live here. It's a nice course," said the 25-year-old. "South Hills is nice. [The weather today] is nice; it's not hot."
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It almost seems as if, one of these years, Maria Busienei is going to win the Charleston Distance Run.
Not just the women's division. The whole thing.
OK, that thought may be a reach, but the Charleston resident did finish fourth overall in the 15-mile road race, which began at the Capitol and finished at Laidley Field on Saturday morning.
Needless to say, Busienei dominated the women's side for her fourth such title in six tries with a winning time of one hour, 36 minutes, three seconds that was more than six minutes ahead of the nearest woman.
Not being pushed, Busienei ran at a pace of 6:25 per mile that wasn't nearly her best effort in Charleston. That came in 2007, when she scooted along the course in 1:27.38.
That time is less than two minutes behind the time of Saturday's men's winner, University of Charleston track and cross country coach Jason Pyles, who finished in 1:25:44. Pyles wasn't exactly gassed at the finish line, but still it makes one wonder.
Busienei is an accomplished runner and this race suits her.
"I like it because I live here. It's a nice course," said the 25-year-old. "South Hills is nice. [The weather today] is nice; it's not hot."
Coming in second in 1:42:18 was Tammy Slusser of Monroeville, Pa., a 45-year-old masters runner and perennial contender here. Right behind Slusser was Marian Pyles of South Charleston in 1:43:35.
Rounding out the top five were Megan Schuerger of Charleston (1:45:00) and Bobbi Chapman of Charleston (1:46:57).
Busienei, who was greeted at the finish line by her 4-year-old twins, Willy and Winnie, also won in 2004, '07 and '08 and returns to the top after finishing third in '09 despite breaking 1:31 in her second-fastest race here.
After this victory, she plans to run the 10-miler in Lynchburg, Va., a race in Bowling Green, Ky., and half-marathons in Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Va.
She was second in the Lynchburg race last year, third in Richmond and fourth in a half-marathon in Raleigh, N.C.
Also, she has run full marathons, finishing 13th among women in Baltimore last October. She ran 2:52:19 in that race but is not planning to repeat the 26.2-mile distance this year.
It almost seems as if, one of these years, Maria Busienei is going to win the Charleston Distance Run.
Not just the women's division. The whole thing.
OK, that thought may be a reach, but the Charleston resident did finish fourth overall in the 15-mile road race, which began at the Capitol and finished at Laidley Field on Saturday morning.
Needless to say, Busienei dominated the women's side for her fourth such title in six tries with a winning time of one hour, 36 minutes, three seconds that was more than six minutes ahead of the nearest woman.
Not being pushed, Busienei ran at a pace of 6:25 per mile that wasn't nearly her best effort in Charleston. That came in 2007, when she scooted along the course in 1:27.38.
That time is less than two minutes behind the time of Saturday's men's winner, University of Charleston track and cross country coach Jason Pyles, who finished in 1:25:44. Pyles wasn't exactly gassed at the finish line, but still it makes one wonder.
Busienei is an accomplished runner and this race suits her.
"I like it because I live here. It's a nice course," said the 25-year-old. "South Hills is nice. [The weather today] is nice; it's not hot."
