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Mid race decision costs woman win

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Published February 11, 2008

TAMPA - Lisa Vaill crossed the Gasparilla Distance Classic finish line with an apparent victory in the half-marathon. But rather than accepting the winner's trophy, the Gainesville resident left town empty-handed.

Vaill was disqualified Sunday afternoon after it was determined she registered for the marathon.

"Because she filled out the paperwork for the full marathon (26.2 miles), her decision to do the half-marathon disqualifies her," executive race director Susan Harmeling said.

Vaill, who tripped over a plastic piece protecting cables on the sidewalk to opentwo half-dollar-sized gashes on her right knee before the 6 a.m. start, said she made the decision to do the half marathon during the race.

Runners reach a point in the race where the course splits, with one direction for the marathon and the other for the half.

Sunday wasn't the first time Vaill has changed courses during the race.

"She did the same thing two years ago," Harmeling said. "She knew what would happen."

Vaill, 44, who was announced as the winner in 1:25:56 during the awards ceremony, said she wasn't aware of the disqualification but wasn't concerned.

"I don't care, really," she said. "I wanted to run the full (marathon), but I couldn't."

Orlando's Sarah Robertson (1:26:03) was awarded the victory. Mount Dora's Terri Rejimbal finished second at 1:26:59, and St. Petersburg's Christina Noordstar came in third at 1:28:03.

[Last modified February 10, 2008, 20:34:24]