George, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic champion in the T53 100 metres, secured victory in 50min 37sec and although he admitted the course was challenging he said it played into his strengths.

"I'm more of a climber," he said.

"So my goal going into it was to try to take advantage of the hills at the beginning and try to get away.

"It worked better than I even anticipated.

"I was able to create a little gap right at the beginning and then build off of it, some of the steeper climbs a couple of miles into the race.

"So it was tough.

"But then the second half of the course was pretty easy."

George finished ahead of Canada's Michel Filteau and fellow American Adam Bleakney, who both crossed the line in 51:55.

Diane Roy completed the New York City Half Marathon in under an hour to take the first women's wheelchair title ©Getty Images


Five-time Paralympic medallist Roy came from behind to claim victory with a time of 59:25, despite finding the course difficult because of the hills.

"So to begin with [it was challenging because of] the hills and it was freezing," she said.

"So the first five, six, I was behind for sure, but down it was good.

"After that, it just came back.

"I was third, and after that, second, and the last two kilometres, first.

"So I just tried to keep going and stay in the front and finish.

"So I'm very happy."

She was followed to the finish line by Susannah Scaroni of the United States in 59:41, and American Paralympic champion and former New York City and London Marathon winner Amanda McGrory in 1:00:35.

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