2011 NYC Half
Professional Women's Gallery

March 20, 2011

The women at the front of the pack set a blazing pace, as all three podium finishers beat Mara Yamauchi's course record from last year. In the final miles, Caroline Rotich of Kenya broke away from her countrywoman, ING New York City Marathon 2010 winner Edna Kiplagat, and went on to win in 1:08:52. Kara Goucher, an American Olympian—and a new mom—returned to racing form with a strong third-place finish. "I couldn't believe how fast we were going early on," she said. "It felt like we were on the track, sprinting!"

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Top athletes from around the world shivered on the starting line, but they warmed up quickly once the race got underway.
Russian runner Olesya Syreva made short work of the hills in Central Park.
Jessica Augusto of Portugal led early in the race.
Kenya's Caroline Rotich en route to her 1:08:52 course-record victory.
Kara Goucher ran her strongest race since coming back to competition after welcoming her son Colton last September.
Shewarge Alene Amare of the West Side Runners was the top local competitor, finishing fourth in a time of 1:09:25.
Fifth-place finisher Werknesh Kidane of Ethiopia was glad to be racing in New York, after an injury forced her to miss last year's ING New York City Marathon. Her husband, Gebre Gebremariam, won that race—and finished second in the 2011 NYC Half.
As the race entered Times Square, the podium spots were still up for grabs.
Rotich pulled away in the final miles, and beamed with joy as she broke the tape.
Champion Caroline Rotich proudly waves the Kenyan flag.
ING New York City Marathon 2010 winner Edna Kiplagat, also of Kenya, had to settle for second this time.
American Kara Goucher was happy to be back on the podium in third, but added, "I'm ready to win one!"

2011 NYC Half Professional Women's Gallery

2011 NYC Half
Professional Women's Gallery