4 months ago
DES MOINES, IA (AP) -- The leaders in the Des Moines Marathon could see the finish line -- they just had to wait a bit.
A passing train forced the two leaders in the 26.2-mile race to wait for about a minute Sunday just 400 meters, or about a quarter mile, from the finish line.
When the train finally passed, Kenyan Simon Sawe sprinted to a win in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 50 seconds. He won $3,000.
Race director Chris Burch said it was an unfortunate circumstance beyond the control of race organizers. Burch said Sundays are usually slow days for the Iowa Interstate Railroad through downtown Des Moines.
He said Monday that organizers won't change the route and will work harder to communicate with the railroad about the race for next year's event.
The Associated Press
