New York, December 1, 2017 — New York Road Runners has announced 10 professional athletes as finalists for the 2017 NYRR Pro Performer of the Year, who are being recognized for their outstanding achievements at NYRR races over the past year. Media and fans are welcome to vote for the top NYRR Pro Performer of the year through 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8.

The professional athletes were chosen as finalists by an NYRR selection committee based on their performances at NYRR races in 2017. Online voting by the public on NYRR’s Blog will account for 50 percent of the final tally, while members of the media will account for the other 50 percent.

“From record-setting performances to historic milestones, 2017 was an incredible year for professional athletes competing in New York Road Runners races,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “New York City was the center of the road running universe this year, as top athletes from around the globe reached career milestones on the streets of the five boroughs, the hills of Central Park, and the legendary indoor track at The Armory.”

The 2017 NYRR Pro Performer of the Year will be announced the week of December 11.

The finalists for the award are listed below and have been chosen based off their performances at the following NYRR races: NYRR Wanamaker Mile (February 11), United Airlines NYC Half (March 19), UAE Healthy Kidney 10K (April 9), NYRR New York Mini 10K (June 10), New Balance 5th Avenue Mile (September 10), Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and USATF 5K Championships (November 4), and TCS New York City Marathon (November 5).

· Mamitu Daska (ETH): She won the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and finished as the runner-up in the NYRR New York Mini 10K; she also took third place at the TCS New York City Marathon in her debut in the race.

· Shalane Flanagan (USA): The Olympic silver medalist became the first American woman to win the TCS New York City Marathon open division in 40 years, posting the second-fastest time by an American woman ever in the race.

· Sifan Hassan (NED): Her 4:19.19 in her NYRR Wanamaker Mile victory was an NYRR Millrose Games record and the fastest indoor mile run in the world in 2017.

· Molly Huddle (USA): The two-time Olympian won her third straight United Airlines NYC Half in March and then returned to New York in November to win the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line and USATF 5K Championships in a course-record time.

· Marcel Hug (SUI): The “Swiss Silver Bullet” won his second consecutive and third overall TCS New York City Marathon title in the men’s wheelchair division. The win marked the 15^th major marathon victory of his career and fourth of this year.

· Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN): He claimed his first major marathon victory, winning the men’s open division at the TCS New York City Marathon after holding off compatriot Wilson Kipsang down through the final turns in Central Park.

· Mary Keitany (KEN): She won her second career NYRR New York Mini 10K in Central Park and then finished her year with a fourth straight podium finish at the TCS New York City Marathon, finishing as runner-up.

· Manuela Schar (SUI): After finishing as runner-up at the TCS New York City Marathon three consecutive times, she won her first title in the event, outpacing five-time champion Tatyana McFadden. It was her fourth major marathon victory of the year.

· Jenny Simpson (USA): She raced to a record-extending sixth 5th Avenue Mile title, matching PattiSue Plumer’s event-record time of 4:16.6 from 1990 in the process. It was also new personal-best time for Simpson.

· Nick Willis (NZL): He won the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in in 3:51.3, tying the men’s record with his fourth event title. The two-time Olympic medalist, who trains in Ann Arbor, MI, is now tied with Spain’s Isaac Viciosa for the most men’s 5th Avenue Mile titles.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth running initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit nyrr.org.