Running to a New Record

A New Zealander has successfully run the fastest half-marathon by a woman on American soil. Kimberley Smith won the women’s section of the New Orleans half marathon by over three minutes, completing the course in 1h 7m 36s. This time saw Smith slice 19 seconds off the New Zealand half marathon record which she set while running the same half marathon last year. Smith was surprised by her win as she was completing the race as preparation for the Boston marathon in April. “My goal was to run a little bit slower because my coach didn’t want me to push it too hard,” says Smith. “I didn’t think I would run it this fast.” The previous record was set in 2010 by Ethiopian, Meseret Defar, at the Philadelphia half marathon.