Bergeron, 15, wins division in wheelchair

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Brittney Bergeron’s first half-marathon gave her one big reason to smile.

The 15-year-old was the first person to cross the finish line as part of Sunday’s Las Vegas Marathon, winning the wheelchair division of the half-marathon in 1 hour, 15 minutes.

“I’m very excited,” said Bergeron, who has competed in sprint-length races. “I wanted to see if I could do this. I didn’t think about winning it. My goal was just to finish.”

Bergeron was paralyzed from the waist down at age 10 in a highly publicized stabbing incident in Mesquite.

She began competing in wheelchair races more than three years ago and is building toward a goal of competing in full marathons, possibly as soon as next year.

“She always has had bad luck with tires,” said Judy Himel, Bergeron’s foster mother. “I was just hoping and praying she would finish the race. She just loves this. It keeps her in really good shape, too.”

Joe Shifflett, Bergeron’s coach, rode a bicycle ahead of her for safety reasons and to monitor her progress.

“She kept her form most of the time,” Shifflett said. “It doesn’t surprise me. She works harder than any kid I’ve ever known.”

Bergeron said she was tired after the race but had enough energy to joke with friends.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Shifflett said. “When you get to about (mile) 11, it’s no longer physical. It’s all heart. It’s all intestinal fortitude, whether you’re going to keep going or whether you’re going to quit.”

• BEGINNERS’ SKILL — Bergeron wasn’t the only one to win her half-marathon debut.

Peter Hessler of Ridgway, Colo., won the men’s half-marathon in 1:18:31.

“I’m just trying to get in shape for a marathon,” said Hessler, 38, who hasn’t raced competitively since he was in college. “It’s my first race back.”

Like Bergeron, Hessler didn’t expect to win. His main goal was to finish faster than 1:23 in order to qualify for the New York Marathon.

“I wasn’t too concerned with place, but once I was in front, I had to try to hold it,” he said.

• SURPRISE WINNER — Sarah Raitter of Reno hadn’t run a half-marathon in four years, but it didn’t take long to shake off any rust. She won the women’s half-marathon in 1:23:51.

“I didn’t have any high expectations,” she said. “I just wanted to get out here and try to break an hour and a half.”

• SCOTTISH SPIN — Kenny Herriot’s first trip to the Las Vegas Marathon two years ago resulted in a second-place finish.

His second trip was good enough for first.

The professional racer from Aberdeen, Scotland, won the wheelchair division of the full marathon in 1:54.

“I came here wanting to win,” said Herriot, who has participated in wheelchair events for six years.

Herriot will continue his tour of the United States this week. He’s headed to Hawaii today to compete in the Honolulu Marathon next Sunday.

• THREE-PEAT — Abebe Yimer was the top Clark County finisher in the full marathon for the third straight year. He was eighth overall in 2:24:20.

“I’m happy. I tried my best for the first 35 (kilometers),” Yimer said. “After 35 (kilometers), I dropped off.”

Yimer collected a $10,000 prize as the top Clark County men’s finisher.

“I’m in better condition than last year, but the weather was really chilly,” Yimer said. “I’m excited, and I appreciate the support and the following of the people of Clark County.”

The top women’s finisher was Erica Schramm, who was 16th overall in her field in 3:15:59 and also earned $10,000.

• LOROUPE PROTEGE — Eliza Chemwetich Lopilale, who rose out of a war-torn region of Kenya and is training with former world-record holder and fellow Kenyan Tegla Loroupe, took ninth in her marathon debut. Chemwetich, 24, finished in 3:05:53.