NEW YORK, May 20: US Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein toppled twice defending champion Craig Mottram of Australia and set a Central Park record in winning the Healthy Kidney 10 km road race on Saturday.

Ritzenhein raced home in 28 minutes eight seconds, two seconds faster than the 10-year-old record set by Kenyan Paul Koech. The 24-year-old American won $27,500 including a $20,000 bonus for his record time.

“I tried to really push it home,” he told reporters. “I just felt amazing coming down the stretch.”

Mottram, 26, was second in 28:25, six seconds ahead of Ethiopian Demesse Tefera.

“It is probably good to get a whipping once in a while,” said the Australian. “It is not the end of the world. I still ran well. I just got beaten by somebody better today.”

Former marathon world record holder Khalid Khannouchi finished 14th in 30:06 but was satisfied that a foot injury that caused him drop out of last month's London Marathon was healed.

“The most important thing was the foot felt good and I am quite happy,” said the 35-year-old Moroccan-born American. “Now I will get some rest and start training for the Olympic marathon trials race here later this year.”—Reuters