New York City Half-Marathon


Larry King, Piers Morgan…Sam Grotewald?

A very proud and happy Diane Nukuri-Johnson shows the Burundi flag after her 2nd-place finish at the 2013 New York City Half-Marathon (Photo courtesy of Jane Monti)

Sam Grotewald of the New York Road Runners continues his bid to take the Larry King/Piers Morgan chair at CNN with another good interview in the NYRR’s “On the Run” podcast/radio series. NYRR yesterday posted an great conversation between Sam and Diane Nukuri-Johnson (ASICS) in New York City in the aftermath of Diane’s 69:12 National Record and second-place finish at Sunday’s New York City Half-Marathon. Sam does a nice job chatting with Diane about her experiences running as a woman in Burundi and competing as a 15 year-old in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she also crossed paths with Bernard Lagat and Abdi Abdirahman. Diane also reflects on the steps to leave Burundi behind for Canada and then America, and the long-time support given her by University of Iowa’s Head Coach Layne Anderson. She and Sam also talk about Iowa and Diane’s expectations for next month’s Boston Marathon. 

The 24-minute podcast is available free at this link. Click on Episode 15.

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2013 New York City Half-Marathon Photos

Thanks to Victor Sailer at Photo Run for the four mid-race photos (all rights reserved, PhotoRun, Inc.) of Adriana Nelson (ASICS), Diane Nukuri-Johnson (ASICS), Sam Chelanga (Nike), and Freya Ross (adidas); and also to Jane Monti for the nice shot of Diane with the Burundi flag. Some great running on a very cold day in the Big Apple!

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NYC Half: Diane Johnson Hits New PB/NR, and PB also by Freya Murray

Irvette van Blerk (l) and Diane Johnson (r) trying to keep warm after this morning's NYC Half-Marathon.

Quick news from the Big Apple: In this morning’s NYC Half-Marathon, Diane Johnson (ASICS) broke her PB and Burundi National Record by 73 seconds with 70:55 for 11th place. Freya Murray (adidas) took 12 seconds off her best half-marathon with 72:33 for 17th place, with Irvette van Blerk (adidas) right behind in 18th in 72:36. Freya and Irvette are both in the middle of peparations for their marathon debuts at next month’s Virgin London Marathon, where they will also attempt to qualify for the Olympic teams of the UK and South Africa, respectively. Diane will be in Chicago a week from today for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k.

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Freya Murray: Road to London

Athleticos article on Freya Murray (adidas), who is currently training in Boulder, Colorado, in preparation for her marathon debut next month at the Virgin London Marathon. Freya chats about her recent Kenyan training camp, coach Steve Jones, and her return to form after several injuries in 2011. Freya will race the New York City Half-Marathon this Sunday, March 18th. Click here.

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