DES MOINES, Iowa  – More than 3,600 runners took part in the 3rd Annual Grand Blue Mile race on April 24 in Downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park area. The event attracted elite athletes, competitive and recreational runners and corporate teams that competed in six separate events.

In the elite men’s division, Peter Van Der Westhuizen of South Africa, led the group of 10 invitational runners with a finish time of 4:02.99. AJ Acosta (4:03.16) and Boaz Lalang (4:03.36) finished second and third place, respectively.

Sara Hall repeated as champion for the second straight year in the elite women’s division with a finish time of 4:45.66 followed by Heather Kampf (4:45.92) and Amy Mortimer (4:47.56). Four women participated in the elite invitational event.

A total of $20,000 in prize money will be awarded among the top finishers, with each men’s and women’s elite champion receiving $4,000 each.

“Participation in this year’s Grand Blue Mile exceeded the 2011 event by more than 500 entrants,” said George Hanna, Wellmark executive vice president. “We are excited to see athletes and teams of all fitness levels embrace this race as a way to get started on their own fitness plan and to encourage community wellness.” 

Next year’s Grand Blue Mile event is schedule to take place on April 23, 2013.

Additional race results from the Grand Blue Mile events are posted at:

http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=8378.