Misganaw wins Central Park Half

Alemtsehay Misganaw

NEW YORK – April 15, 2012 – The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck hosted the 9th More Magazine / Fitness Magazine Women’s Half-Marathon in Central Park on Sunday, April 15. More than 7,200 women participated in the race – the largest women’s-only half-marathon in the country – established by More and Fitness magazines, in partnership with New York Road Runners. Hasselbeck participated in the race for the second straight year, besting her 2011 time by more than four minutes and finishing in 1:40:05. She ran in support of Team NoGii to raise money for Celiac Disease research, as well as Team Red, White and Blue, to support America’s war veterans.

Leading the way, local running sensation Alemtsehay Misganaw (left, NYRR), 31, shattered the course record of 1:14:40 and beat three-time U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines, 37, to finish in 1:13:25. Rhines, who led until mile 11, was not far behind at 1:14:05 (also bettering the previous course record).

“It was a tough race,” said Rhines. “We battled the whole time, and she had a bigger move than I had left at the end. I had a hard time at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon, so it was nice to come back to New York and feel good in a race.”

Two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Michelle Frey considered the race her birthday party, as she turned 30 in the company of thousands of female friends. After finishing third overall in 1:16:52, she waited for her friend from NYC to complete her first half-marathon, so they could go for brunch.

“It’s exciting to start a new decade with more than 7,000 other women,” said Frey.

Fitness Editor-in-Chief Betty Wong ran the race for the sixth year in a row and finished in 2:01:44. “This year’s race was fantastic! Running 13.1 miles with such strong and supportive women is an inspiration. Their cheers and smiles keep me motivated all the way to the finish line, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Race participants raised more than $100,000 for charitable partner Hole in the Wall Gang, a nonprofit, summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer.

9th More Magazine / Fitness Magazine Women’s Half-Marathon
New York, NY, Sunday, April 15, 2012

1) Alemtsehay Misganaw (ETH), 1:13:25*
2) Jen Rhines (USA / CA), 1:14:05
3) Michelle Frey (USA / MN), 1:16:52
*course record (previous record, 1:14:40, Sally Meyerhoff (USA / AZ), 2010)