Kim Smith Clocks A 1:09 Half In New Bedford

She covered the 13.1-mile distance a full minute faster than last year.

As a tune-up for the upcoming Boston Marathon, Kim Smith successfully defended her title at the New Bedford Half Marathon. Smith’s winning time was 1:09:50 and was a full minute faster than what she ran last year in the same race.

Smith is a New Zealand citizen who lives and trains in Providence, Rhode Island. She is coached by Providence College’s Ray Treacy.

Smith placed 14th overall in the New Bedford race.

“I like the course and the race is always a personal challenge,” said Smith. “I was pretty comfortable right from the start and it was another good day. It was windy, but it was nice. The conditions were pretty good.”

For her efforts, she was awarded $1000 for first place and additional $1000 for running under 1:13.

Referring to famous British marathoner from the 1980s and fellow Providence College alum, Geoff Smith, she said: “Half marathons are a very comfortable distance for me. I train a lot and that helps. I’ve enjoyed running here the last two years. Hopefully, I’ll do what Geoff Smith did and I’ll win the Boston Marathon.”

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