Six am on a Sunday morning is just cruel, but I was really looking forward to see Deena, Haile, Nick, Abdi, FAM, Madai, Claudia, and all the other amazing runners in my park. So there we marched, Jodi and I. I had planned to see them go on Mile 1 on the east side, sprint to the west side, see them at Mile 2, then take the downtown train and catch them right before the Finish. It was all precisely planned down to seconds. You know it worked because I am an OSOM (ok fine, obsessive) planner!!
They all looked so strong and fast, it was impressive… And I just love this half, it goes around Central Park and then through the heart of NYC: Times Square. And I hate Times Square. I hate it; just like everyone else who lives here. But there’s just a couple of hours a year when it’s magical: this race!
Anyway, here’s a few pictures…
Peter Kamais already leading by Mile 2.
How did he know??? If I was running with Haile, I’d be crying in the back of the pack (or at home!)
And there’s Deena, already leading the chase pack, which she held all the way up to Mile 11. Mara Yamaguchi has some guts passing her with 2 miles to go! And, no, that is not Brian Sell behind Deena. It’s local amazingness Mike Cassidy.
The two osomest runners that weren’t running Sunday!!! Happily waiting by the Finish line, though I was a bit upset the someone passed Deena! Nice shades, right?
Peter Kamais crossing the finish line. Event Record. It was the best weather this half has had. This is the first year they do it in March, it was always in August and the weather had been ridiculous. First time I did it, in 2006, it was pouring. Last year, it was 82 degrees at the start. YUK. So, back to my point, this was great weather for records.
The INTENSE fight for second place between Kigen and Trafeh, way to dig til the end!
First and second male: Kamais and Kigen, super happy, obviously!
There’s Nick Arciniaga, looking strong on his way to 15th place
then…Mara Yamauchi, of Great Bretain approaching. First Place!
Mara crossing the finish line in 1:09:24. I like what she said: “My race went from bad to good today, I didn’t give up because as soon as you give up in your mind, your body gives up. I told myself that a bad day was better than a really bad day. Maybe this isn’t so bad, let’s get moving.”
Deena, just a few seconds behind Mara, and Madai coming right behind too. All too close!
Deena and Madai at the Finish line. So glad she got this one in!
Deena and her biggest fan!
After that we watched a couple of friends finish and we were off to get the cookies Jodi has been talking about for years… There’s a happy girl
The cookie was ridiculously good. But you probably need to run a pikermi right after one. Now that I think about it, I could have these cookies instead of Nutella before my long runs from now on…!
If you want more pictures, there’s a bunch more here. Have a great week!!!
runningandthecity 