Experience paid off for Isaac Arusei in Wheeling Saturday morning as the 29-year-old Kenyan ran away from the field in the 30th annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic.

Arusei ran the last half of the course by himself, crossing the line more than a minute ahead of his closest pursuer.

His winning time of 1:03:21 easily outdistanced Kenneth Korir, who was runner-up in 1:04:30.

Another Kenyan, Reuben Chebii, was third in 1:05:48 while Kenya’s Ibrahim Limo (1:07:06) beat Wheeling’s Ricky Moore (1:07:16) to the line for fourth place.

Russian distance ace Lyubov Denisova reeled in 2004 Ogden winner Naomi Wangui in the latter stages of the women’s 20K run to claim her first Ogden 20K title.

Denisova, the current record holder in the Los Angeles Marathon, finished in 1:12:52 — nearly two minutes ahead of the fading Wangui.

Susan Graham-Gray of Greencastle, Pa. was third overall in 1:19:16 with Heather Parks of Bruceton Mills, W.Va. and Gina McGee of Latrobe, Pa. rounding out the women’s top five.

But it was Arusei’s breakaway win that had the crowd buzzing around the finish line.

“I was here last year so I knew the course,” said Arusei, who was third a year ago behind fellow Kenyan Julius Kibet and Moore.

His knowledge of the course enabled Arusei to avoid making the same mistake of a year ago when he ran out of gas in the latter stages.

“I started out very slowly today,” said Arusei. “I knew there was one hill (29th Street) that is very tough.”

When Arusei arrived at the foot of 29th Street Hill, some four miles into the race, he was ready to pounce.

“When we got to the bottom of the hill,” said Moore, who was slowed by a leg injury during the race, the lead group “was still all kind of in contact.

“Then Isaac made another move and just separated himself from the pack.

“We were all pretty much single file from there. I don’t think the order changed after that.”

Moore was the first American finisher and the first Wheeling finisher for the second straight year, but the second-year pro had to be helped to the medical tent after hitting the tape.

“It is frustrating,” said the former Wheeling Jesuit All-American, “but you have to take the good with the bad.

“The measure of a successful person is how well they come back from a low point.

“I’ll just get myself healthy, train hard and try to do well here next year.”

Saturday also marked the return of the Masters (age 40-49) and Grand Masters (50-over) divisions to the Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic.

Sam Ngatia of Kenya was the men’s masters winner in 1:11:45 with McGee claiming female masters honors.

Terry McCluskey of Vienna, Ohio was the men’s grand masters champion in 1:18:05 with female grand masters laurels going to Shelley Ralston of Uniontown, Pa. in 1:35:47.

Rounding out the weekend winners were Friday night’s champions in the Ogden Mile.

Jason Bennett, a 15-year-old member of the Wheeling Park track team, was the male winner in the mile with a time of 4:36.05.

Roberta Meyer of Shepherdsville, Ky. won the Women’s Mile in 5:36.65.

Two other local runners joined Moore in the top 10 of Saturday’s men’s 20K run.

Former Buckeye Local standout Dustin Meeker ran a 1:13:45 to take ninth place while ex-Magnolia star Matt Quinet was 10th in 1:13:54.

Wheeling’s Becky Droginske was 10th in the women’s 20K run, crossing the line in 1:31:42.

Two Ohio Valley males and a staggering 10 area women were age group winners in the 20K run.

Evan Matthews of Brilliant was the male 19-under winner while Wheeling’s Walt Seamon was tops in the 65-69 group.

Female age group winners from the local area included: Stephanie Caruso, Wheeling (19-under); Mallory Roadman, Wellsburg (20-24); Michelle Baker, Wheeling (25-29); Stephanie Romanek, Wheeling (30-34); Katherine Stephens-Bogard, Wheeling (40-44); Kim Simon, Weirton (45-49); Sue Mortakis, Wheeling (50-54); Debbie Tyler, New Martinsville (55-59); Marti Stephan, Wheeling (60-64); and Ella Jane Custer, Wheeling (70-over).

Matt Boyles of Xenia, Ohio shattered the course record in the men’s 20K walk, quick-stepping his way to a 1:39:34 clocking.

Susan Randall of Beavercreek, Ohio set a course record in the women’s 20K walk with a time of 2:02:25.

In the 5K Run and Walk For Your Health, the husband and wife team of Peter Boyd and Jeannette Boyd of Union City, Pa. swept the 5K Run events.

Peter’s time of 16:10 was nearly two minutes ahead of his closest pursuer while Jeannette also posted a comfortable win in 19:15.

Vince Peters of Yellow Springs, Ohio was the male 5K Walk winner in a time of 27:21 while Donna Graham of Lowell, Ohio won the women’s 5K Walk in 31:59.

Saturday’s events drew a total of 1,245 participants, which marked nearly an 18 percent increase over last year’s Saturday numbers.

A total of 616 runners finished the 20K Run while the 5K Run had 309 finishers. There were 195 finishers in the 20K Walk and 125 finishers in the 5K Walk.

“We are very much alive and well,” announced race director Howard Corcoran at the conclusion of the post-race banquet.

“We hope to see all of you back here again on May 26, 2007 for the 31st annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic.”