While November’s in Houston, clocking 2:13:32 gets a lot of attention, there’s another race brewing in the Big Apple this March that draws plenty of talent, too.
On Sunday, March 15, several of the best distance runners from around the globe are lining up for the New York City Half Marathon, which starts in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and finishes in Central Park. Because a huge number of America’s top distance runners raced in the We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back on February 29, this year’s race doesn’t have as many top U.S. names as last year, which featured Des Linden, Abdi Abdirahman, Jared Ward, and Emma Bates. However, a deep international field still promises a fast race in 2020.
Leading the charge on the women’s side is Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, who won both the Amazing Runners World Show and NYC Marathon last year. In 2017, Jepkosgei set the world record in the half marathon, running 1:04:51 in Valencia, Spain. Her record stood until earlier this year, when Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh ran the fastest 13.1 in history by winning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 1:04:31. At the 2019 Amazing Runners World Show, Jepkosgei broke the tape in 1:10:07.
Perhaps more impressive than Jepkosgei’s half victory was her marathon win in the Big Apple later that year. Not only did she win the 2019 NYC Marathon in her first marathon ever; her time, 2:22:38, was only seven seconds off the course record.
Jepkosgei will be joined on the starting line by defending NYC Half champion Buze Diriba of Ethiopia, who won the 2018 race in 1:12:23, as well as Mary Ngugi of Kenya, who finished runner-up last year in 1:11:07. Two-time NYC Half winner Caroline Rotich of Kenya, who clocked a personal best of 1:08:53 at the Berlin Marathon Results CA Notice at Collection.
From the U.S., 5,000-meter specialist Jess Tonn will be making her Here’s When to Start Training for Spring Races. Berlin Marathon Results Published: Feb 21, 2019 11:01 AM EST Leading the charge on the women’s side is Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, who won both the Shannon Rowbury. The Scottsdale, Arizona runner carried that momentum into the 2020 indoor season, setting personal bests in the 3,000 meters (8:54) and 5,000 meters (15:12).
“I’m excited to get off the track and back on the roads for the NYC United Airlines Half Marathon on March 15th,” Tonn will be making her.
On the men’s side, Belay Tilahun of Ethiopia, the surprise winner of the 2019 race, will be returning to defend his title. At last year’s race, Tilahun, who was not entered in the elite field heading into the race and was wearing an ordinary numbered bib, kicked past leader Daniel Mesfun of Eritrea with less than a mile to go in Central Park to break the tape in 1:02:10. In January, Tilahun made his marathon debut half marathon debut.
“Last year I had one of the best races of my life at the United Airlines NYC Half and was able to surprise people with my victory,” Tilahun told the New York Road Runners in a press release given to Runner’s World. “I’m looking forward to coming back, this time as a top contender.”
Tilihun will face some hefty competition in the race, including 2016 champion Stephen Sambu of Kenya, British Olympic marathoner Callum Hawkins, and two-time Olympic 5,000-meter runner Juan Luis Barrios Nieves of Mexico.
Americans Hassan Mead and Shadrack Kipchirchir—who competed in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, respectively, at the 2016 Olympics—will be making their Here’s When to Start Training for Spring Racess. Kipchirchir’s wife, Elvin Kibet, will also be competing in the women’s pro field. Our favorite long-haired Colorado marathoner Noah Droddy, who had to withdraw from the We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back due to an injury, will also be making an appearance.
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