New York Marathon – 6 November 2011
Kim Smith Half Marathon
Kimberley Smith qualified for the London Olympic Games after finishing fifth in the New York marathon in 2h 25m 46s.
The 29 year old, who turns 30 Saturday week, was six minutes under the Olympic qualifying time and nearly four minutes faster than her fifth placing in New York last year, but just 25 seconds short of her New Zealand record set in last year’s London marathon.
Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia won in 2h 23m 15s with Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya winning the men’s race in 2h 5m 5s.
While disappointed that she didn’t finish in the first three Smith said it was her best ever marathon.
“It was a much better run than I did in London when I set my PB where it is a very flat course. New York is very hilly so overall it was a better run but I am a little bit disappointed that I didn’t finish in the top three,” said Smith.
“It is good to get that out of the way, a qualifying time for London I can now concentrate on my preparations for next year,” she added.
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