Record set at Rhode Races marathon

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Tom O’Grady and Emily Kroshus were the big winners Sunday at 2011 Cox Sports Marathon.

Nearly 7,000 runners participated in the marathon or the other three races in the Rhode Races series held this weekend.

O’Grady, age 25 of Latham, NY, won his first-ever marathon in a time of 2:31:25. The winning time was his personal best and was a new course record.

“It was a tough race,” said O’Grady in a released statement. “My goal was to hold back in the first half and see how it unfolds.

"I was pleased with how I did. I was hoping to finish under 2:31, but I was hurting the last two miles. This (race result) puts me in a good position to reach my goal (of 2:30). One step at a time. I am closer to my goal. I am really happy to win this race.”

Emily Kroshus was the first woman to cross the finish line of the 26.2-mile race. The 28 year-old from Boston, MA took the title in 2:53:23.

“I used this race as a training run,” said the Harvard graduate student who is gearing up for the Ottawa Marathon in a few weeks. “I wanted to keep a steady pace and not go crazy or push too much. “

Kroshus, a member of the Boston Athletic Association, last won a marathon in 2005 when she placed first at the Philadelphia Marathon.

“I haven’t won in a while. This is a pretty great feeling,” she said in a press release. “I had a good race. This was a beautiful course. It showed off Providence show nicely. Great event.”

Eric Lonergan, winner of the half marathon at the 2009 Cox Providence Rhode Races, took that title again today. The 25 year-old former standout runner at North Kingstown High and Rhode Island College won the half marathon in 1:09:22, setting a course record.

Sarah Piazza was the top female finisher in the Eident Sports Half Marathon with a winning time of 1:22:35.