New York: Samuel and Rudel win the pre-marathon 5K, with more than 11,500 runners in Central Park

New York — Habtom Samuel and Rachael Rudel won Saturday's Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K in Central Park, on the eve of the New York City Marathon, which takes place this Sunday, November 1, marking the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course.

According to New York Road Runners (NYRR), the event's organizer, more than 11,500 athletes took part in the 5-kilometer race, which started near the United Nations on Manhattan's East Side, ran along 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, and finished at the marathon finish line in Central Park.

Samuel, undefeated in his rookie professional season, won the men's race in 13:31, after a decisive move with roughly one kilometer remaining, in his debut in the race. Rudel, the newly crowned U.S. 20K national champion, won the women's race in 15:35, also in her debut in the event.

The race, a tradition since 2010, lets amateur and professional runners cross the same finish line as the marathon one day before nearly 60,000 runners start the New York City Marathon, the weekend's main event. Saturday's field included two Olympians, five NCAA champions and four U.S. national champions.

Sunday's marathon commemorates 50 years of the five-borough course, first run in 1976. As reported in this newspaper's morning cycle, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will close on Sunday for the race, so drivers should plan alternate routes.

Photo: My Best Runs

Source: New York Road Runners