MANHATTAN — Tens of thousands of runners took to the streets Sunday in the eighth annual NYC Half, a 13.1 half-marathon course that traverses Manhattan's streets every year.
It was the first major citywide run, organized by the New York Road Runners club, since the annual NYC Marathon was canceled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy last fall.
The event, which saw 14,512 hitting the road despite 30-degree weather Sunday morning, started in Central Park, and followed along the Hudson River, ending in Lower Manhattan at the junction of Water and Wall streets.
Henry Zwicky, 65, an investment banker, cheered his daughter Alexandra, 27, near the finish line.
"I'm very proud of her. It's a great race," he said. "It's fun even though it's a little cold."
For runner Carey Piascik, 26, her first half-marathon had been a great experience. "It's been amazing. My goal was to finish under 2 hours and 20 minutes," she said. "I think I've done it."
A moment after she checked her cell phone, she piped up: "Oh my God, my mom just texted me, and I did it in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 12 seconds!"
Last year, Battery Park City residents complained that the event's street closures and foot traffic would make it unbearable to host the mammoth event again, and South Street Seaport businesses echoed the worries.
However, after a drought of much-needed patronage following the destruction left by Hurricane Sandy, the too-quiet Seaport was happy to welcome the event, community members recently told DNAinfo.com New York.
"I think we've had a change of attitude," said John Fratta, chairman of Community Board 1, last month.
Following the run, participants migrated to the Seaport for celebratory food and drinks.
