Best Male Name: Abebe Yimer
Age: 25
Occupation: Professional runner
In Las Vegas since: 2001
2005 Time: 2:26, good for 12th overall
In the Houston Marathon this year, I ran a 2:13. That was my best time.
I'm originally from Ethiopia, so I'm proficient at running. I came here in 2001 to run in the Boston Marathon. After that, I decided to stay in the United States and move to Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is not good for professional running; there are not a lot of hills for running, so I mostly train in New Mexico and Mexico.
I work at the Palms casino, and the Palms is my sponsor, so I want to say thank you to George Maloof. I trained hard this year. Maybe this year, I can win. Fastest Female
Name: Angela Bestwick
Age: 30
Occupation: Physical therapy technician
In Las Vegas since: 1997
2005 Time: 2:54 In college, I was a middle-distance runner, 1,500 meters to 5,000 meters, which was my max. After college, I did road races, 5K mostly.
I decided to try the marathon because the course was really neat, with it going down the Strip, and I thought I'd give the longer distances a shot. I was very surprised at my time. My goal was just to finish, but now I'm going to enter more marathons.
The way the Strip closes down and the way city embraces the marathon is great. I think it will be a great marathon in the future.
With running, you get a very free feeling being out in the open air; it feels great.
Slowest Female
Name: Mayra Trabulse
Age: 49
Occupation: Personal chef
In Las Vegas since: 1977
2005 Time: 9 hours The first thing I learned is that it's your own race. I stopped and helped somebody last year and it threw me off by two hours. There are police there.
My body almost died in the 19th mile. I slowed my pace and my body said, "Are we done? Are we done?"
I trained for months for the marathon. We started training in June. I never knew how to run and never thought I could run a marathon.
Running the Strip and seeing where the Sands used to be and knowing that I opened the MGM Grand and the Luxor and to see the Strip being closed, it was unbelievable.
Slowest Male
Name: Carlos Ramirez
Age: 54
Occupation: Former mechanic
In Las Vegas since: 1962
2005 Time: 9 hours and 14 minutes
I've been running since 1968, when I was in junior high. I've always been involved in sports
To me, running feels great; you're out in the open and you get to enjoy the environment. You see a lot of things that you don't see when you're driving. I had a stroke in 1986. After my stroke they told me I wasn't going to be able to walk and talk. After a year, I started walking and talking and running.
Last year's was my eighth marathon after my stroke. I wanted to prove to the community that even though we're disabled, you are still functional. My goal is to run in two more marathons, one in St. George [Utah], and the Boston Marathon.