Local Runners Have a Banner Day
Janosikova and Awol are top NYRR-member finishers
Note: NYRR-member and team results are unofficial at this time and subject to verification. Official results will be posted on this site within the coming weeks.
As the world's best distance runners battled for the champions' titles at the ING New York City Marathon 2008, New York-area athletes -- runners who compete in NYRR events year-round -- did themselves and their city proud with performances that placed them high within the overall rankings and raised the level of achievement in comparison to recent years.
The top NYRR-member finishers were Katarina Janosikova of Astoria and Running Divas New York, who placed 18th overall in 2:42:57, and Mohammed Awol of the Bronx and the Westchester Track Club (WTC), who was 13th overall in 2:19:13. Janosikova, 28, was running her first-ever marathon; Awol, 30, won two recent NYRR races: the Norway Run on October 4 and the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff last Sunday.
Finishing second through fifth among NYRR-member women were Victoria Ganushina of Brooklyn and the Warren Street Social & Athletic Club (WS; 20th, 2:43:55), Caroline Bierbaum of Manhattan and the New York Athletic Club (NYAC; 22nd, 2:46:36), Meseret Kotu of Manhattan and West Side Runners (WSX; 27th, 2:50:06), and Abbi Gleeson of Manhattan and NYAC (28th, 2:50:22).
The men's NYRR-member second through fifth placers were Kassahun Kabiso of the Bronx and WTC (14th, 2:19:54), Genna Tufa of the Bronx and WTC (16th, 2:20:23), Teklu Tefera Deneke of the Bronx and WSX (18th, 2:20:47), Deresse Deniboba of High Falls, NY and WTC (20th, 2:21:54).
These 10 performances represent a significant step up for local runners. By comparison, the top five NYRR-member women in 2007 ran 2:44, 2:45, 2:49, 2:55, and 2:58, and the top five men ran 2:19, 2:20, 2:25, 2:25, and 2:28.
"I couldnt believe how good I felt," said Janosikova, who had tuned up with a 1:18 half-marathon in Philadelphia in September. "I had no problems."
For local runners, the ING New York City Marathon is an incredible opportunity to shine on the world's stage. It's also a chance for a nice payday. NYRR members who meet eligibility requirements receive prize money ranging from $5,000 for first place to $1,000 for fifth place. There are also NYRR-member time bonuses and prize purses for NYRR-member masters runners and teams.
Despite the competition, there's plenty of cooperation and camaraderie among local runners. "I was running with Katarina up until 16 miles and it was great to have her there," said Bierbaum. "It was such an inspiring atmosphere, running in New York. It made me want to do my best."
"It was a tough race, with the wind, but I was able to work with some of the other local guys, and that really helped," said John Henwood of Manhattan and NYAC, who finished just out of the member prize money, in 2:21:55. "Kassahun and Genna got away at about 18, but I ran with Deresse all the way to the line, and that was a real motivation."
Though the temperature was ideal for marathon running, the windy conditions kept some locals' performances in check. "I thought the headwind was bad, honestly," said Andrea Costella of Manhattan and the Nike Central Park Track Club, who nonetheless ran 2:59:01 in her marathon debut. "I just tried to run with some teammates and stay protected."
The experience of running the ING New York City Marathon is like no other, no matter what the result. "It wasn’t perfect -- the course was a lot harder than I expected," said Bierbaum. "But it was everything I wanted it to be. I'll definitely be back next year."
