Former marathon world record holder Khalid Khannouchi didn’t have the time that he was looking for at the Rock N Roll San Jose Half-marathon this weekend. Khannouci was using the race as a tune-up ahead of the US Men’s Olympic Marathon trials coming up on November 3rd in New York City.

After mile three, the men’s lead pack began to thin out, gradually dropping Khannouchi. The 35 year-old Chicago Marathon champion was clearly frustrated with his 1:05:04 finish time.

“It was a great day for the race,” Khannouchi said. “But, this is not what I expected. I thought I would run 1:03:00.”

Despite his criticism his performance, Khannouchi remained optimistic about his preparation for the upcoming trials. “It’s in me,” Khannouchi said. “I will have to go home and work on my speed. I’m running against time now.”

Moroccan born Khannouchi now represents the United States of America after moving to New York 1992 and then later becoming a US citizen. He is the former marathon world record holder and also held the road world best for the 20 km distance. He is one of only four people to break the marathon world record more than once, and one of only three to break their own marathon world record.

In 1997, he ran the fastest ever marathon debut at that time (2:07:10). He later ran 2:05:42 in Chicago (1999) and then 2:05:38 in London (2002), both world records. Khannouchi was the first marathoner to break 2:06:00.

Rock N Roll Half Marathon San Jose Winners
Kenyans McDonald Ondara and Magdalene Makunzi won the second Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon San Jose. Ondara, 23, covered the 13.1-mile course in 1 hour, 1 minute, 11 seconds. Makunzi, 24, broke the tape in 1:09:58.

The men’s race culminated in a sprint to the finish as Ondara, who led the majority of the race, beat the 27-year-old Tanzanian John Yuda by just seconds.

“I was sort of afraid of him,” said Ondara of his closest competitor Yuda. “It was very hard to predict,” Ondara added about planning his final kick.

Yuda managed a smile as he clutched his ribs after the finish from an apparent side stitch.

“It was a good race,” Yuda said. “The course was quick.”

Coach Joe English, Portland Oregon USA

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