NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Manhattan

January 25, 2009 [Video] [Results]
Nearly 4,600 hearty runners braved the frigid 14-degree weather in Central Park to complete the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Manhattan. Participants enjoyed the peaceful winter splendor—from frozen lakes to ice-capped rocks—of Manhattan’s most cherished green space.

A proper warm-up is an essential preparatory step, particularly in chilly conditions.


Gary Burns from Brooklyn stretched to stay limber before the start.


Runners huddled together near the warm doorway to Tavern on the Green restaurant.


CPTC buddies Steven Rosenbaum (left), Neil Brenner, and Steven Monte achieved sub-1:25 times.


Runners, grateful for the chance to start moving, lunged across the start line.


The race started on the west side and moved south before heading east and north.


Stephanie Heister of Brooklyn counted on a stocking cap and a 7:33-per-mile pace to keep her warm.


Kevin Beganics (left) from Yonkers edged past GNY’s Giuseppe Castellacci and grew the gap to 10 minutes by the finish.


The weather motivated some runners to pick up the pace to get out of the cold faster.


Although the sun reflected nicely off the Harlem Meer, the water was still frozen in most places.


Moshe Sheps of Fairlawn, NJ, checked his watch to ensure he was staying on pace.


Levirteen May of Manhattan brought his own fuel to make it through the tough miles.


Gabriel Corchado of New York was ecstatic to complete the distance in 1:25:17.


Philip Weiner (left) of Hartsdale, NY, finished one second ahead of Julie Floch of Manhattan.


Remy Dechamps of BPTC displayed approval of his 1:25:40 effort.


Jacque Sallberg of Pasadena, CA, leaped across the finish line for the win in 1:09:52.


Arien O’Connell of NYAC was top female in 1:23:00.


New York Flyers hydrated after their hard efforts.


Faithful supporters worked as hard as the runners to stay warm and peppy.


Lucas Holden of Manhattan (left) and Christopher Owens of Brooklyn congratulated each other.