The NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE Keeps Getting Better
An exciting course, top-notch professional field, and a record-breaking win prove the race to be a “must-do” New York running experience.
New York, Sunday, August 5—“Exceptional” is the best word to summarize the second annual NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE. Despite worry about a forecast of sticky, hot conditions, the temperature remained near 70 and a noticeable tailwind provided assistance along the West Side Highway. Conditions were prime for a great run for professionals and midpackers alike.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia owned the race. In his New York road-race debut, “Geb” won easily in 59:24, setting a New York record. A flock of Ethiopian die-hard Geb fans, waving their country’s flag, led the loudest cheering at an awards ceremony in a long time. “The spectators here are great,” said Geb, when asked about racing in New York. “I don’t want to miss this.”
In the women’s race, Hilda Kibet of Kenya upset last year’s champion, Catherine Ndereba, in a thrilling to-the-finish chase. Kibet crossed the finish line one second before Ndereba, in 1:10:32. The humble Kibet announced that she “felt very good, but feel that I can do better.”
It was also a great day for the non-professional competitors, who delighted in the fair conditions. “I had a good race and the weather was definitely a factor,” said Colm Malone, 35, of New York, who finished in 2:16:02. “I was prepared for the worst, and it was fine. I didn’t feel warm at all.”
Many runners who are training for a fall marathon use a summer half-marathon as a tool to gauge fitness. “It was amazing. It was easier than I thought it would be because the weather wasn’t so hot and humid,” said Hugh Davis, 34, of Westport, CT, who finished in 1:51, and ran for Team for Kids, adult runners who raise funds in support of NYRR running and character-building programs for more than 150 schools and community centers worldwide. “I’m planning to do the [ING New York City] Marathon, and this was a good tune-up.”
Close to 200-strong, the Team for Kids runners lit up the course with their green singlets. “I love running with Team for Kids because it’s inspiring to raise money to help kids,” said Bob Martin, 60, of Fort Myers, FL, who finished in 2:20:17.
The main attraction, though, was the completely unique, completely New York course. After a hilly loop in Central Park, runners were greeted with a glorious view of the neon lights of Times Square, and could watch themselves run past on the NASDAQ and Good Morning America screens. Bands playing a variety of music and shouts of support from spectators encouraged runners to pick up the pace, as the remainder of the course was a flat six miles to the finish in Battery Park. “I’ve done one half-marathon before, but this one was so much better, so much more fun,” said Marci Levine, 32, who finished in 2:39:28. “I live in New York, and it was such a thrill to run through Times Square.”
Bette Rice, 50, 2:16:11, who lives close to Times Square, professed her enthusiasm for the extraordinary chance to run through her neighborhood. “Coming out of the park and down Seventh Avenue—you never get to do that,” she said. “I think it’s just amazing that we get to run through the city streets.” Rice ran the race last year and was pleased to see improvements and a lively audience. “The bands and crowd were better this year. There was a lot of great music to keep you going all the way down to the finish.”
“Every single one of you is part of the history that was made here today,” said Mary Wittenberg, the president and CEO of New York Road Runners, at the awards ceremony. “Today is about every single one of you—13.1 miles is a big, big deal.”
Runners heading south past Chelsea Piers on the West Side Highway.
