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Jifar Wins New York City Marathon in Record Fashion
November 5, 2001

Courtesy: Running USA

In the first New York City Marathon since the world changed on September 11, Tesfaye Jifar fashioned some changes of his own, these far more positive, in winning the 32nd edition of the race. Jifar used an unanswerable surge at 23 miles to become the first Ethiopian to win in the Big Apple, and added a course record as an exclamation point to a remarkable day of racing.

Jifar's time of 2:07:43, bettered Juma Ikanga's 12 year old record by 18 seconds, and came as a result of near-prefect conditions (cool temperatures, low humidity, and little wind) and a fast pace pushed by a large pack in the early miles. The New York course was changed slightly this year, eliminating one short hill in Central Park, but Jifar's time was intrinsically better than the old mark, and he garnered a $50,000 course record time bonus in addition to the first place prize of $80,000 and a Pontiac Grand Am.

Jifar and a group of nearly two dozen runners set a strong tempo from the opening miles of the race, maintaining a sub-five minute pace through Brooklyn and into Queens, passing through the halfway split in 1:03:50. As the group climbed the Queensboro Bridge to cross the East River into Manhattan, the pack was whittled to 15, then 10. As is so often the case in New York, the real racing began as the leaders ran through the sonic gauntlet of First Avenue, and as the northern end of Manhattan was reached four contenders remained: Jifar and three Kenyans, Japhet Kosgei, Rodgers Rop, and 1999 champ Joseph Chebet, who was the first to drop off the pace.

The trio stayed together through the Bronx, within sight of Yankee Stadium, and then back into Harlem. Then, just before 23 miles, Jifar surged, and only Kosgei could respond, answering with a surge of his own. Jifar counterpunched himself, and within a few blocks had a lead of 10 yards that he continued to extend as he ran down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. For the last miles, he seemed to resemble one of the Park's weekend joggers rather than a man bent on winning one of the world's premier marathons, smiling and giving thumbs up to the thousands of fans who lined the course. Looking back several times on the course's turns, he realized the victory was secure, but pressed on to the finish, blessing himself and kissing the pavement after he crossed the line. His margin of victory over Kosgei was 1:36, with Rop another 32 seconds back.

For the first time, the New York race served as the USA Men's Championship, and Boulder's Scott Larson turned it into a solo affair, placing 13th overall in 2:15:28. Larson's pre-race plans called for going through the half in about 1:04:30, which quickly put him in no-man's land, between the open and American packs. Forced to virtually time trial the whole distance, he felt his effort would have been around 2:11 if he'd had someone to run with.

"I couldn't pick a better place, or more important race, to win my first U.S. title," he enthused. "They told me the crowds were unbelievable, but I wasn't prepared for what I experienced. Right from when we came off the bridge they were cheering so loud you couldn't hear yourself breathe."

Larson's performance also earned double USA Running Circuit points which earned him a share of the USARC Grand Prix crown with Dan Browne (both 40 points.) The two will split the $10,000 combined first and second place purse.

Larson was followed by Clint Verran (2:17:20) and Chris Lundstrom (2:18:08), both members of Team USA Distance Running training centers who notched significant PRs of two and five minutes respectively.

"I think this really proves the value of training with a group like Hansons Team USA," said Verran.

"I don't think I'd be running if it hadn't been for joining Team USA," added Lundstrom.

Significantly, both men are in their mid-20s, and figure to be running through at least two more Olympiads.

"Look at how much we improved, and do the math," said Verran. "I think we can be running in the 2:11 range by 2004."

New York also served as a one day window for Americans to qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and 12 men and 13 women (four with the "A" standard) did so. The next opportunity to qualify begins in January 2002.

Security was high for the event, with the four major bridge crossings closed to traffic and police presence more noticeable than in the past. Spectator turnout was as larger or large than ever, with American flags joining the international assortment that usually festoon the New York streets.

"Today's race was a statement by the people and city of New York," said Allan Steinfeld, race director and president of Running USA. -- Jim Gerweck

New York City Marathon
Sunday, November 4, 2001

MEN
1) Tesfaye Jifar (ETH) 2:07:43* $130,000 plus Pontiac Grand Am
2) Japhet Kosgei (KEN) 2:09:19 $65,000
3) Rodgers Rop (KEN) 2:09:51 $50,000
4) Silvio Guerra (ECU) 2:10:36 $28,000
5) Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 2:11:18 $20,000
6) Jon Brown (GBR) 2:11:24 $15,000
7) John Kagwe (KEN) 2:11:57 $7,500
8) Joseph Chebet (KEN) 2:13:07 $5,000
9) Lahoussine Mrikik (MAR) 2:13:31 $2,500
10) Stephen Ndungu (KEN) 2:14:21 $1,000
*course record

U.S. MEN
13) Scott Larson, CO 2:15:26 $16,500
14) Clint Verran, MI 2:17:20 $11,000
16) Chris Lundstrom, MN 2:18:08 $7,750
18) Shawn Found, CO 2:18:29 $5,750
19) Martin Franklin, WA 2:18:44 $4,750
21) Keith Dowling, CO 2:19:10
22) Darrell General, MD 2:20:20
23) Kevin Collins, NY 2:20:24
25) Peter Sherry, VA 2:20:38
26) Terrence Mahon, PA 2:21:10
27) Scott Strand, AL 2:21:16
29) Weldon Johnson, AZ 2:21:44
(Sub 2:22:01 qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.)


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