NY Road Runners take part in Bronx half-marathon through Bedford Park streets

(07/11/04) BEDFORD PARK - Thousands of runners pounded the pavement Sunday morning in the Bronx, taking part in the New York Road Runners half-marathon.

The 13-mile race took the participants on a tour of the Bedford Park neighborhood. Bronx residents lined the streets to cheer the runners. The hot and sunny weather made it a more of a challenge for the athletes.

Many folks in the race were training for the full New York City Marathon in November. Members of the New York Road Runners club must run nine races to qualify for the marathon. The Bronx half-marathon is part of a five-borough tour that the group does leading up to November's race.