Karoline Grøvdal beats Gladys Chepkurui and Edna Kiplagat in New York

Former European 10,000m bronze medallist, Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal surprised many when she beat strong women elite field at the 18th edition of the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday (17) in New York City.

The 33 year-old who came to this race with a life time best of 1:07.34 which was also the third fastest time on paper, beat deep field that included the double world marathon champion, Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat, with a time of 1:07.34, Gladys Chepkurui who was the fastest athlete on the list, two-time U.S. Olympian and Boston Marathon winner Des Linden and Rio Olympics 1500m bronze medallist, Jenny Simpson.

Grøvdal, who is also the three times European junior champion took on the four giants and managed to floor them as accelerated on the final straight, winning her first ever half marathon in 1:09.09 and was followed in second place by Chepkurui 18 seconds later with Kiplagat closing the podium places in 1:19.46.

“I just tried to run easy, I was thinking about the finish, but I know the other girls was very strong, so I actually just tried to enjoy the race and to have something left the last 2K. I really like to run in New York,” said Grøvdal.

The 2016 World Half Marathon team champion, Cynthia Limo and former European U23 5000m bronze medallist, Diane van Es from Netherlands finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 1:11.54 and 1:12.03.

The race course record of 1:07.35 set eight years ago by Molly Huddle of United States remains standing.

LEADING RESULTS

21KM WOMEN