by Alfonz Juck
Ben True, photo by PhotoRun.net
Emily Sisson leads Buze Diriba, photo by PhotoRun.netTrue and Diriba
NEW YORK (USA, Mar 18): Ben True became the first winner of the men’s race in NYC Half history, winning on a cold and blustery morning in 62:39 from compatriot Dathan Ritzenhein (62:42) with Chris Thompson third in 62:43. Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen was fourth in 62:44 while pre-race favourite Wilson Chebet from Kenya, the only runner in the field with a sub-one hour PB, had to settle for ninth in 63:37. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba outsprinted Emily Sisson, 72:23 to 72:24. Norway’s Karoline Grovdal comprised the podium in third in 72:43 with Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska fourth in 72:50. Betsy Saina was the top Kenyan finisher in seventh in 73:31 but Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot was a non-finisher, dropping out in the tenth mile. “Vivian had problems breathing in the cold weather,” said her manager Mike Skinner.
Dathan Ritzenhein, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bezu Diriba wins United NYC Half, photo by PhotoRun.net
