Kristen Dalton North Carolina

 Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, but the big story to come out of the normally politics-free telecast was Miss California’s comments regarding gay marriage.

When asked by judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, whether she believed in gay marriage, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, said "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised."

Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California competition, tells FOXNews.com that he was "saddened" by Prejean’s statement.

"As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman," said Lewis in a statement. "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."

boston marathon route 2009

DATE

Monday, April 20, 2009

TIME
Push Rim Wheelchair Start: 9:22 a.m.
Elite Women Start: 9:32 a.m.
Elite Men & Wave 1 Start: 10:00 a.m.
Wave 2 Start: 10:30 a.m.

DISTANCE
26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 Kilometers)

ENTRY PROCEDURE
Registration is closed for the 2009 Boston Marathon. The 114th Boston Marathon will be run on Monday, April 19, 2010; tentatively, applications will begin to be accepted in September 2009.

THE COURSE
The legendary Boston Marathon course follows a point-to-point route from rural Hopkinton to Boston and is certified per the guidelines set forth by the IAAF and USA Track and Field.

FIELD SIZE LIMIT
25,000

ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFYING
Qualifiers for the 113th Boston Marathon, have met the designated time standard that corresponds to their age group. The qualifing times were run on or after September 29, 2007 at a certified marathon. Seeding was based on qualifying times, which were subject to review and verification.

    * Age on April 20, 2009 determined qualifying time. Age group on the day of the qualifying race may differ.
    * The B.A.A. accepted net times from chip scoring systems.
    * Athletes were 18-years or older on April 20, 2009.
    * The B.A.A. reserves the right to reject any entry, issue special invitations, cancel the race, expand or further limit the field, or adjust the entry procedures.

QUALIFYING STANDARDS
Age Group     Men     Women
18-34     3hrs 10min     3hrs 40min
35-39     3hrs 15min     3hrs 45min
40-44     3hrs 20min     3hrs 50min
45-49     3hrs 30min     4hrs 00min
50-54     3hrs 35min     4hrs 05min
55-59     3hrs 45min     4hrs 15min
60-64     4hrs 00min     4hrs 30min
65-69     4hrs 15min     4hrs 45min
70-74     4hrs 30min     5hrs 00min
75-79     4hrs 45min     5hrs 15min
80 and older     5hrs 00min     5hrs 30min

Proof of qualification, such as a copy of a finish certificate or results listing (non-returnable), were required to accompany entry. Qualifying times attained at marathons using the ChampionChip timing and scoring device did not require submission of proof.

ELITE WOMEN’S START
The 2009 Boston Marathon will include a separate start for top female competitors. The Elite Women’s Start (EWS) will begin prior to 10 a.m. and performances from this start will be scored separately from women starting at 10 a.m. Open and masters division women who consider themselves eligible for prize money in the 2008 Boston Marathon must declare themselves as a contestant for the EWS start. They may send an email to ews@baa.org for further details on format, eligibility, regulations and instructions. Race officials can assist in determining which start – EWS or 10:00 a.m. – is most appropriate. Prize money will be awarded to contestants in the EWS only. Women who choose not to start in the EWS give up the right to compete for prize money.

MISS NORTH CAROLINA 2009

Her title comes with a year’s use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary. (Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images / April 20, 2009)

Amid all the smiling perfection that was on display during the 58th annual Miss USA pageant Sunday night, Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton managed to stand out from the crowd and snare the sparkly crown, passed on by outgoing Miss USA Crystle Stewart.

Miss West Virginia Jessi Pierson was named Miss Photogenic; Miss Wyoming Cynthia Pate landed the Miss Congeniality title.

The show aired live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.