NYRR 8000March 14, 2009 [Results] |
| The calendar might still say winter, but signs of spring were everywhere in Central Park: buds on the trees, crocuses and daffodils poking up through the earth, and bare legs on hundreds of runners in the NYRR 8000. The race—nearly five miles through the park’s rolling hills—was a great chance to celebrate the coming season. |
 Simon Bintley (center), Kevin Kall (right), and friend looked ready to run a fast 8K. |
 Mary Taggart (left), Jacqueline Hornberger (center), and friend were all smiles before their race. |
 Though the predominant Central Park colors were still brown and gray, a few bits of green were starting to show. |
 The temperature was 35 degrees at the start; pale late-winter sunshine was breaking through the clouds. |
 Katarina Janosikova, the second-place woman finisher, ran midrace with Steven Dewaele (left) and Greg Cass. |
 Ion Freeman of New York gave a wave as he headed toward a 1:11:26 finish. |
 Meadow Braun showed her patriotism as she cruised toward a 45:56 finish. |
 The course looped past Cleopatra’s Needle on Central Park’s East Drive. |
 These spectators were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a few days early with the wearin’ o’ the green. |
 Runners could catch sight of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as they reached the four-mile mark. |
 Later, the course skirted the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir… |
 …and the statue of Fred Lebow just south of Engineers’ Gate. |
 Douglas Manhart (left) and Jeffrey Israel both finished in 47:08. |
 Amy Eshleman was pumped up as she powered her way to a 42:20 finish. |
 The final mile of the race featured some downhill sections. |
 This spectator clearly has friends in at least two local running clubs. |
 First across the line were Vincent Tervet of Belgium in 25:24… |
 …and Aileen Conlon of New York and the Nike Central Park Track Club in 27:53. |
 Stephanie Cohen (left) and fellow runner refreshed with post-race apples and water… |
 …while other finishers and their fans checked results near the finish. |
