A gloomy day on Sunday didn't stop Kate Landau and Matthew Hernandez from crossing the finish line first at the sold-out Eugene Marathon at Hayward Field.
Landau, 47, showed off with her second victory ever in Eugene in the 26.2-mile women's division with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes and 52 seconds.
"I was feeling very grateful towards the end," Landau said. "Just that I still have the ability to run still because I was injured for a few years and it's great to be back; and show other women in their 40s that they can still do hard things."
The Tacoma, Washington, native won her first Eugene Marathon in 2018.
Landau knew she had potential to win or finish in the top three on Sunday, but her focus was more on her performance.
"The first goal was to not go out too fast and run at a steadier pace," Landau said. "Then to be in the top one or two was a goal, and I wanted to be around 2:42.00 and so I hit all the goals."
Landau said she plans to run the Vancouver Marathon in Canada next Sunday.
Eugene Marathon men's winner competing in second-ever marathon
The 25-year-old Hernandez was competing in his second-ever marathon when he won the men's division with a personal record time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday.
"It was very special," Hernandez said of finishing inside Hayward Field. "Coming in through the last mile, I started to click and started to catch the runners. But once I saw the first runner coming in, I was ready to go."
The San Antonio, Texas, native was initially interested in running the Eugene Marathon for the first time because of the race's scenery.
Hernandez said he worked to shut his "mind off and relax through the whole race."
He said his ultimate goal is to hit the Olympic qualifier time in the next four years. For now, he will bask in his victory at home with his dogs and girlfriend.
Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith.
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