Kirui Takes 1st Place In NYC Half Marathon '12

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Thousands of runners took to the streets Sunday for the New York City Half Marathon.

Kenya's Peter Kirui was first in the men's race. The 24-year-old is best known as a pacesetter for professional marathoners. He won in 59:39, beating Ethiopia's Deriba Merga by 9 seconds.

Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia was third.

New York City Marathon champion Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia was first among the women runners, finishing the 13.1 miles in 1 hour, 8 minutes, 35 seconds. New Zealand's Kim Smith was second, 8 seconds back. American Kara Goucher was third in 1:09:12.

Meb Keflezighi, who won the U.S. men's marathon Olympic trials in January, was 13th. Desiree Davila, who along with Goucher qualified for the London Games in the women's race at trials, was ninth.

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