Record-breaking 26,482 runners finish Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Runners set for Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon

Amy Freeze has a look at the Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon, which is expected to boost business on the Coney Island boardwalk this weekend.

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A record-breaking 26,482 runners crossed the finish line at the 2015 Airbnb Brooklyn Half today, Saturday, May 16, making the race the largest in event history and the largest half-marathon to date in the United States in 2015.

Runners raced through the heart of Brooklyn, beginning near the historic Brooklyn Museum, over the rolling hills of Prospect Park, through Grand Army Plaza, and down to the finish line on the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk. In its first year as an NYRR Foundation Partner, Airbnb is the event's first-ever title sponsor.

Negash Abebe Duki won the men's race in 1:05:01, pulling away from Cam Marantz in 1:05:05. The third place male finisher was Ayele Megersa in 1:05:17.

In the women's field, Megan Hogan took first place in 1:13:33. Hogan was followed by runner-up Sarah Cummings in 1:15:33 and third-place finisher Rolanda Bell in 1:16:01.

The race was estimated to bring more than $500,000 to businesses on the Boardwalk, with the race finishing in front of a family-owned Brooklyn diner.

Jimmy Kokotas grew up in family tradition. At age 8, he began serving food and learning how a third-generation diner works. "The Greeks have a tradition," he said. "And when you break bread with others, it's the ultimate thing you can do with them."

In 1936, his great uncle first opened Tom's in Prospect Heights. His Uncle Gus took over in the 80s, and Jimmy ultimately opened Tom's Coney Island just five weeks before Superstorm Sandy shut down parts of the borough.

"The whole area was devastated," he said. "We became volunteer headquarters. We hosted over 5,000 volunteers, worked with the mayor's office, worked with people from President Obama's administration, Army Corps of Engineers...A lot of great organizations came down and volunteered their time and services to help get the community back on its feet. The Coney Island Alliance helped immensely. The New York Road Runners, who have been great partners."

The NYRR is active in Brooklyn year round, and offers local jobs on race day. "We're not here just one day, shutting down streets for just that one day," the NYRR's Philip Santora said.

On race day, the NYRR partners with Brooklyn businesses to offer "Runners Rated" discounts, and they even have vendors like Tom's at the Runners Expo.