Erie High runner records big result during Big Apple half marathon
Erie High runner Rowen Wilcko, in just his fourth start in a 13.1-mile race, won his age group for this month's New York City's Half Marathon.
March 15 wasn’t Rowen Wilcko’s original orientation of New York City. The Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy student formerly traveled to its boroughs for a field trip. Wilcko’s recent Big Apple tour also was guided.
Only this time, it was more of a solo variety. Wilcko, who’s competed for Erie High’s cross country and track and field programs, was among more than 30,000 runners who started the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon. The junior accomplished more than crossing its 13.
1-mile finish line with a personal best time. Wilcko, at 1 hour, 15 minutes, 55 seconds, was first for the event’s age 19-under male division. Oscar Greenberg, a senior for Manhattan’s Bard High School, was second at 1:18:15.
“I’m pretty proud of myself,” Wikco said, “although I think I actually could have gone (faster). I was aiming for the 1:13 to 1:14 range, but the wind along (Manhattan’s) FDR Drive just killed me. At least I got to go (under) 1:16.