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Newcomers Dominate New York City Half-Marathon

By Ben Fractenberg | March 21, 2011 12:42pm
Mo Farah, seen here in 2006, won the New York City Half Marathon on March 20, 2011.
Mo Farah, seen here in 2006, won the New York City Half Marathon on March 20, 2011.
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AP/Antonio Calanni

By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — England's Mo Farah sprinted past 2010 New York Marathon winner Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia to win New York City's Half Marathon Sunday in 1 hour and 23 seconds, the Wall Street Journal reported.

"I knew I had speed because I just got back from the European Indoors," Farah told the New York Times, citing his recent participation in the three-day track and field event in Europe. "It was a matter of hanging in."

It was the first half marathon for both Farah and Gebremariam. Gebremariam had the lead going into the final stretch, but Farah had more kick at the end, passing the marathon winner to finish two seconds ahead of him.

American Galen Rupp, also running his first half marathon, finished third with a time of 1 hour and 30 seconds. Rupp's only other professional road race was reportedly last Thanksgiving's 5K Turkey Trot. He managed to finish despite getting tangled up with last year's winner, Peter Kamais, during the seventh mile.

"I don't think it affected me too much," Rupp told the Times about getting tripped up. "Once I got over the initial shock, I told myself, 'Relax, relax, relax.' I tried to regain my composure and save energy for the finish. It was unbelievable. I had so much fun."