NEW YORK: Haile Gebrselassie won the New York City Half Marathon in 59 minutes, 24 seconds Sunday, cruising away from elite competitors two-thirds of the way through the race to win his eighth half marathon in eight attempts.
Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Ethiopia, pulled away from Abdi Abdirahman of the United States shortly after they emerged from Central Park along with two-time Boston Marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya.
"I was dreaming just to run in New York City. The dream has come true this morning," Gebrselassie said. "Wow, I'm so happy!"
Hilda Kibet of Kenya won the women's race in 1:10:32, outkicking defending champion Catherine Ndereba by 1.15 seconds. Nina Rillstone of New Zealand, a surprise leader until the final 500 meters (quarter-mile) when the two Kenyans passed her, was 2.60 back in third.
Near the 13-kilometer (eight-mile) mark, the Somalia-born Abdirahman surged ahead to leave Cheruiyot behind, and then Gebrselassie left Abdirahman behind for the final eight kilometers (five miles) of the 21-kilometer (13.1-mile) race...more..
