Napa Marathon Course Record
The 47th Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon on March 1 produced a new course record in the full marathon distance. The event also saw an Olympic Trials qualifier, underlining the continued depth and excitement in the U.S. road and trail running community.
Abigail Shoemaker of Brooklyn, NY, not only won the women's division but also etched her name in the event's history with a blistering 2:35:50 finish. This performance shattered the previous course record of 2:38:30, set by Ann Centner in 2022. Shoemaker's victory was a dual triumph, as her time also secured her a spot in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. This makes the 47th running of the marathon a significant milestone in her running career. In the men's race, Robert Pedersen from Santa Rosa, CA, claimed the top spot with a winning time of 2:19:19. He ran a strategic race with negative splits, completing the first half in 1:10:21 before accelerating in the second half to finish nearly two minutes ahead of the next competitor. The sold-out event hosted over 6,700 runners from 48 states and 26 countries who participated in the full marathon, half marathon, and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa 5K. The point-to-point marathon course follows the scenic Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa, known for its rolling hills and vineyard views.
