New Zealand native win half marathon

New Zealand native and Manhattan resident John Henwood made a successful debut in the 13.1 mile Queens Half-Marathon, conducted by the New York Road Runners Club (NYRRC) and College Point Road Runners Track Club (CPRRTC), last Saturday morning in College Point, taking home first place honors with a time of 1:09.29. In an exciting finish, Henwood pulled away late from last year’s winner, Jackson Heights resident Jorge Real, who finished with a time of 1:09.32. “This Queens race is thrilling,” Henwood said.
Behind Henwood and Real, were Carlos Grisales, Ian Nurse and Thom Little.
Coming off a 2:33 performance for 55th place in the Boston Half-Marathon on April 17th, Real couldn’t overtake Henwood down the stretch, finishing a close second.
Real was among the leaders from the start while Henwood stayed back, coming out of nowhere to challenge for the lead five miles into the race. Real maintained the lead at this point and held on to first place for about four more miles.
After the lead changed hands a number of times, Henwood, 33, went slightly in front of Real with about three miles remaining and held on. “Real was doing all the work,” Henwood said. “I caught him with six miles to go then we ran together. I kicked, and then he kicked. In the closing miles I took the lead and held him off. With 600 meters I gave it a [final] kick.”
Everyone in attendance praised the work turned in by the NYRRC and CPRRTC. “The New York Road Runners did a great job in organizing the event,” said race director Leo Nicholas. “Some people said to me ‘it’s the best half-marathon of the whole Grand Prix series.’ ”
On the female side, Kelly Chin of Brooklyn surged in front after the third mile and led the women’s contingent the rest of the way, crossing the finish line in 1:21.27. Chin placed 67th place overall in a field of 4,373 entrants with Julie Lavelle, Kathleen Coughlin, Angela Switt, and Bea Huste following, respectively among the ladies.