Ben True and Buze Diriba win United NYC Half

NEW YORK (USA, Mar 18): Ben True became the first winner of the men’s race in NYC Half history, winning on a cold and blustery morning in 62:39 from compatriot Dathan Ritzenhein (62:42) with Chris Thompson third in 62:43. Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen was fourth in 62:44 while pre-race favourite Wilson Chebet from Kenya, the only runner in the field with a sub-one hour PB, had to settle for ninth in 63:37. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba outsprinted Emily Sisson, 72:23 to 72:24. Norway’s Karoline Grovdal comprised the podium in third in 72:43 with Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska fourth in 72:50. Betsy Saina was the top Kenyan finisher in seventh in 73:31 but Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot was a non-finisher, dropping out in the tenth mile. “Vivian had problems breathing in the cold weather,” said her manager Mike Skinner.