Tsegaye Getachew (63:54) And Biruktayie Degefa (71:42) Win Philly Half-Marathon
Press Release
November 19, 2016
PHILADELPHIA (November 19, 2016) – Today’s Philadelphia Half Marathon kicked off the first of four races during the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend. In the men’s field, Tsegaye Getachew of Ethiopia placed first with a time of 1:03:54. Getachew will also be racing the Philadelphia Marathon tomorrow, his first time taking on the 26.2-mile distance race. Coming in second was Eliud Ngetch with a time of 1:03:56 and Panuel Mkungo came in third with a time of1:04:18.
On the women’s side, Birukayit Degefa, also of Ethiopia, took home the Half Marathon crown. She achieved a personal record with a time of 1:11:42. In 2015, she placed second in the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Sinke Biyadgilign came in second with a time of 1:13:04 and Susan Jerotich placed third with a time of 1:13:52.
“I’m so happy for the success of today’s Philadelphia Half Marathon and Rothman Institute 8K,” said Sheila Hess, Executive Director for the Philadelphia Marathon. “Today was a beautiful day to explore historical Fairmount Park while running the updated Half Marathon course. This weekend’s success could not be possible without the dedicated volunteer and tremendous support from our sponsor including longtime sponsor the Rothman Institute. We are looking forward to another exciting race day tomorrow.”
Today’s Half Marathon marked the first time since its inaugural year in 2006 that the race has taken place on Saturday of Race Weekend. In previous years, the Half Marathon occurred simultaneously with the Philadelphia Marathon on the Sunday of Race Weekend.
“Rothman Institute is pleased to be part of another Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend,” said Justin Samra, Director of Marketing for Rothman Institute. “Over the two decades of our involvement as sponsor of the 8K, race weekend has become an international draw that shines a bright light on the beautiful city we call home. We look forward to many more years of being part of this event.”
The Rothman Institute 8K began roughly three hours after the half marathon with an Elite field highlighting local and regional runners in addition to national runners. Thomas Awad, a Philadelphia local, placed first overall with a finish time of 00:24:00. Awad’s mantra, “Kick logic to the curb and do the impossible,” certainly helped him achieve a victory today. Coming in first for the women’s division was Sophy Jepchirchirc of Kenya with a finish time of 00:26:57
HALF MARATHON RESULTS
Men’s Half Marathon Results
Tsegaye Getachew, 19, Washington DC, 1:03:54
Eliud Ngetich, 23, Santa Fe, NM, 1:03:56
Panuel Mkungo, 22, Elkton, MD, 1:04:18
Musa Ido, 27, Potomac, MD, 1:05:35
Stephen Kersh, 25, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:06:11
Women’s Half Marathon Results
Biruktayie Degefa, 26, Albuquerque, NM, 1:11:42
Sinke Biyadgilign, 22, Washington DC,1:13:04
Susan Jerotich 29, Chapel Hill, NC,1:13:52
Grace Kahura, 23, Katonah, NY,1:14:12
Marci Klimek, 29, Cambridge, MA, 1:15:21
ROTHMAN INSTITUTE 8K RESULTS
Men’s 8K Results
Thomas Awad, 22, Philadelphia, PA, 00:24:00
Louis Serafini, 25, Brighton, MA, 00:24:11
Owen Dawson, 28, Coatesville, PA, 00:24:18
Jonathan Phillips, 23, Boston, MA, 00:24:24
Kyle Dawson, 28, Philadelphia, PA, 00:24:25
Women’s 8K Results
Sophy Jepchirchir, 23, Chapel Hill, NC, 00:26:57
Meghan Bishop, 31, Philadelphia, PA, 00:28:45
Katie O’Regan, 31, Lititz, PA, 00:29:26
Lauren Kelly, 26, Philadelphia, PA, 00:29:30
Kelley Riffenburgh, 23, Haverford, PA, 00:29:40