Popular Brooklyn Half officially the largest half-marathon in North America
NYC half-marathon sees over 25,000 finishers despite rainy conditions in the Big Apple
At the after party of the #PopularBKHalf and celebrating that @TikiBarber just ran a 6 min personal best! #RoyalAthlete @TeamForKids pic.twitter.com/xZ4LHDMg3A
— Deena Kastor (@DeenaKastor) May 19, 2018
The 2018 Popular Brooklyn Half, which runs from Prospect Park in Brooklyn to the amusement park at Coney Island, lived up to its name once again yesterday, becoming the biggest half-marathon in North America so far this year. 25,346 runners finished the race on a rainy Saturday in the Big Apple.
RELATED: Brooklyn Half sells out within hours…again
The race has a history of selling out quickly. And though the name is certainly appropriate, Popular (Puerto Rico-based Banco Popular) is actually this year’s race sponsor. Several bank employees, including some who were affected by last fall’s hurricane, participated in the race yesterday.
Olympian and American record holder Deena Kastor came in second in the women’s race in 1:15:13, behind Askale Merachi of Ethiopia, who finished in 1:12:26. New York’s Erika Fluehr was third, in 1:16:02.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9ZP5QBtwD/?utm_source=ig_embed
In the men’s race, Fikadu Girma Teferi, also of Ethiopia, was first, in 1:04:20. His teammate Birhanu Dare Kemal was second, in 1:05:54, and Harbert Okuti of Uganda third in 1:06:07.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9YBUgByeN/?utm_source=ig_embed
A number of celebrities were spotted in the race, including former NFL running back Tiki Barber (who ran a six-minute PB) and competitive hotdog eater Yasir Salem.
RELATED: Five football players who have run a marathon