Smith overcomes injury to win women's race
California native holds on after taking lead early
Besides overcoming the course, Smith has battled a bad ankle and a torn Achilles tendon to be able to run competitively.
"I've had some rough injuries over the years and I just am glad to finish," Smith said.
The 36-year-old Smith crossed the finish line with a time of 3:04:45, followed by Julie Godderidge at 3:11:40 and Aimee Larkin.
Smith said she used her speed to stay near the front until the around the 13th mile, when she was able to put some distance between herself and the pack. From there it was a fight to keep pace.
"It was a tough course (for me), my legs are dead from running downhill," Smith said. "I kept telling myself to just don't stop."
Prior to winning the Salt Lake race, Smith, a native of Irvine, Calif., qualified for three Olympic Trial marathons.
Coming down the stretch, 44-year-old Godderidge moved up from seventh or eighth to the No. 2 spot and maintained the position until the end. Godderidge said she did well because she has been running marathons all summer. This was her first time in the Salt Lake 26-miler.
Godderidge also credited her second-place finish to her husband, Bruce, and five children. Bruce actually ran the marathon with Godderidge but finished two minutes behind her. She had previously won the 2002 Park City Marathon.
"(Bruce) and I always run together, but I also get great support from my children," Godderigde said. "They allow me to train."
Larkin, a former Utah Ute who won the 2001 Park City Marathon, finished in 3:12:00.
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