In the past, US distance stars Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan had excellent debuts in NY. Will that trend continue in 2016? Huddle, Jorgensen and Kim Conley certainly hope so.

*Silas Kipruto Wins Bix 7 For The Third Time As Elkanah Kibet Is The Top American In 4th And Meb Keflezighi Gets 7th Lawi Lalang was 6th. *Video: Silas Kipruto Attempts To Slap Competitor During Race Kipruto took a swing at Teshome Mekonen who apparently made some contact from behind. Mekonen (who finished 8th) filed a protest but it was ruled as "incidental contact". *Photos *Mary Keitany Breaks Bix 7 10-Year-Old Course Record As She Beats Caroline Chepkoech By 2-Seconds Brianne Nelson was the top American in 10th.

Sumgong crushed Aliphine Tuliamuk (32:14) by 47 seconds. Brianne Nelson (33:02) and Desi Linden (33:17) were 5th and 6th.

 

Kenya put up a historic 1-5 sweep two years ago. Can they do it again in Cardiff? Which Kenyan stud will be the winner? Can the US snag the bronze led by Olympic Trials top 6 placers, Kellyn Taylor and Janet Bawcom?

We take a look at the underdogs in the field - everyone not named Desi Linden, Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher and Amy Cragg. *MB: Women's marathon preview: Will anyone but Linden, Flangan, Goucher or Cragg make the team?

Women's race has Janet Bawcom vs Brianne Nelson, Laura Thweat and Neely Spence Gracey.

Mary Keitany destroyed the field winning in a quick 31:15.

With Abbey D'Agostino out due to injury, the biggest name in the field is 2012 champ Sara Hall. Katie Mackey and Laura Thweatt, #3 and #4, respectively, on the U.S. list at 5,000 last year have good shots to make the team; U.S. Half Marathon Champs runner-up Brianne Nelson (70:16) will also run.

Men's field has Ryan Hall, Shadrack Biwott, Matt Llano, 61:30 half-marathoner Scotty Bauhs (debut) and ultra-marathoners Sage Canaday and Max King. Women's side led by Janet Bawcom, Brianne Nelson and Sara Hall in her debut.

Race Results Weekly recap of the 2015 USATF Half-Marathon Championships.

Estrada broke away just after 5 kilometers and pulled away to win his debut half by 51 seconds over fellow debutant Jared Ward. Estrada's time was the fastest by an American since Galen Rupp in 2011. Conley won her first serious half marathon (she ran one as a workout in October) by breaking away at the 10-mile mark to prevail by 32 seconds over Brianne Nelson. 

Hall is the overall leader despite never winning a USARC race this year, but only 2-points ahead of Molly Huddle and Brianne Nelson.

BYU alum Jared Ward took 2nd in 2:14:00 as Scott Smith was 3rd (2:14:40). The women's race was pretty close as only 22-seonds separated the top 3 with Heather Lieberg 2nd (2:34:08) and Brianne Nelson 3rd (2:34:22). *Results

Tyler McCandless, Ian Burrell, and Sean Quigley lead the men's charge, while Jeannette Faber, Esther Erb, Meghan Peyton, and Brianne Nelson front the women's field.

Nick Arciniaga was 9th in 2:14:31. Pasca Myers ran 2:33:45 to win over US's Brianne Nelson (2:34:44). Julius Koskei won the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in 1:03:36 while Cynthia Limo took the women's race in 1:09:50.
*Results