Mo Stars In New York

21 MAR2011

Mo Farah made a dazzling debut at the half marathon distance yesterday - winning the prestigious New York event, setting a new UK record of 60:23 and confirming his status as the golden boy of British athletics.

In a competitive race Farah was always up with the leaders although he was fortunate to avoid a collision just after 10K which saw fancied Galen Rupp and Kenya's Peter Kamais upended in Central Park. Rupp, Farah's training partner in the US, recovered and at half-way was in a 3 way battle for the lead with Farah and ING New York Marathon winner Gebre Gebremariam.

Close to home Gebremariam made his move, but his lead was only temporary. Farah, showing great resolve, fought back, edged ahead and was two seconds to the good at the line. Farah's 60:23 lowered the 25 year record of Steve Jones by 36 seconds. Scot Andrew Lemoncello ran a PB of 63:00 to finish 18th.

Caroline Rotich of Kenya won the women's race in a course record of 68:52, New York Marathon winner and fellow Kenyan Edna Kiplagat finished second in 69:00, with American Kara Goucher third in 69:03. Jo Pavey ran a personal best to finish sixth.