Ayele Megersa Feisa (64:22) And Caroline Lefrak (74:45) Win Airbnb Brooklyn Half
NYRR Press Release
May 22, 2016
New York, NY—A record-breaking 27,410 runners crossed the finish line at the 2016 Airbnb Brooklyn Half today, Saturday, May 21, making the race the largest in event history and the largest half-marathon to date in the United States in 2016.
This was the 36th running of the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, the second of five events in the NYRR Five-Borough Series. The course took runners through the heart of Brooklyn, beginning near the historic Brooklyn Museum, over the rolling hills of Prospect Park, through Grand Army Plaza, and down to the finish line on the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk.
Ethiopia’s Ayele Megersa Feisa won the men’s race in 1:04:22, and he was quickly followed by compatriot Abu Kebede Diriba in 1:04:38 and Uganda’s Harbert Okuti in 1:04:42.
The women’s field was led by Americans Caroline Lefrak and 2014 USA Marathon Champion Esther Erb Atkins, who finished first and second, respectively in 1:14:45 and 1:14:51. Jane Vongvorachoti, who will represent Thailand in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon, was third in 1:15:13.
The second edition of the NYRR Kids’ Boardwalk Run at the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, a one-mile out-and-back race on the Coney Island Boardwalk for youth runners ages 7 to 18, started and finished at the Airbnb Brooklyn Half finish line. A total of 897 youth finishers, including many from NYRR’s free youth running programs, NYRR Mighty Milers and NYRR Young Runners, were among the high school, middle school, and elementary school divisions.
Race week kicked off with a three-day celebration highlighting the distinct culture of Brooklyn at the Airbnb Brooklyn Half Pre-Party presented by New Balance. Runners, friends, family, and the entire surrounding community enjoyed a free, unique experience filled with celebrations of fitness, hospitality, local food, and live musical performances at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park from May 18-20.
Top three male finishers:
- Ayele Megersa Feisa, 28, ETH 1:04:22
- Abu Kebede Diriba, 28, ETH 1:04:38
- Harbert Okuti, 30, UGA 1:04:42
Top three female finishers:
- Caroline Lefrak, 32, USA 1:14:45
- Esther Erb Atkins, 30, USA 1:14:51
- Jane Vongvorachoti, 31, THA 1:15:13
Weather: 58 degrees, humidity 60%, wind 5 mph
Full results and coverage can be found at www.nyrr.org.