CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — History was made in Champaign County on Saturday. A record setting day at the 11th annual Christie Clinic Marathon, both the men’s and women’s half marathon and full marathon winners set new course records.

Wilson Chemweno passed Christopher Zablocki in the final stretch to win the men’s marathon with a time of 2:18.11, an Illinois Marathon record. He tied for first last year.

Margaret Njunguna won with a time of 2:36.51. Also an Illinois Marathon record.

BRET BEHERNS:
“It was a record breaking day at the 11th annual Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon as all four of the main races, both men’s and women’s marathons and the half marathons set new course records and we had a lot of fun today. Joined now by our racing expect Kyle O’Brien, you saw him this morning on the ‘Extra Mile’ and I don’t know how you could ask for much better than what we had today, Kyle.”

KYLE O’BRIEN:
“You really can’t, we had an outstanding day today. We thought we were lucky last year by seeing a tie, I had never seen anything like that before. Well again, I’ve never been involved in something like this where all four records went down on the same day.”

BRET:
“Did it surprise you that they raced as close as they did? Chistopher Zablocki and Wilson Chemweno come down to the end and it seemed like Chemweno waited until the last .02 of a mile to make his move.”

KYLE:
“It was a perfectly executed race by Chemweno. I think he learned his lesson last year by waiting too long and finishing in a tie. He came in and executed a better race plan this year and walked away with a victory and the course record.”

BRET:
“It was a lot of fun to watch them down the stretch. Our women’s marathon winner as well set a new course record. The conditions today were absolutely perfect, what was the biggest thing that stood out to you? Was it the lack of wind, the temperatue or a combination of both?”

KYLE:
“I think it was a combination of both, I mean the winds stayed down the whole race, the rains stayed away and the temperatue was perfect and you had a bunch of motivated athletes who watned to get out there and run fast today.”

BRET:
“We had great races across the board. From the wheelchair division to all four of the main races. We’re looking forward to doing it again next year.