UNITED STATES. Peres Jepchirchir was named the world’s best marathoner while Albert Courier announced his return to the streets of New York City.
Kenyans swept the titles in the 50th New York City Marathon race, which returned to all five boroughs after a year-long absence due to the pandemic.
Olympic gold medalist Jepchirchir became the first athlete to double gold at the Games to win the New York City Marathon just over three months later.
Jepchirchir sprinted for the finish line to beat Kenya’s Viola Cheptoo, who was second, and third-placed Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh. The 28-year-old won in a time of two hours 22 minutes 39 seconds.
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The Americans were fourth in both races. The men’s race was a series of surprising gambits, with Danish medical student Thijs Nijhuis briefly opening a huge lead in the very first miles south of Brooklyn.
The pack they dropped was much more accredited, with all-time legend Kenenisa Bekele and half marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie. El Aaraby and Faniel took turns picking up the pace, opening an almost one-minute lead as they crossed the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan.
As they walked up Manhattan’s First Avenue towards the Bronx, the two were greeted by a noisy crowd and another, more unpleasant surprise. Kenyans Albert Korir and Kandie had brought them back.
Faniel’s third-place finish marked the first time on the podium for an Italian since 1997. Faniel, who trains in Kenya, said delays and flight cancellations meant it took him 56 hours to get from Kenya to New York for the race.
It was an impressive return to the marathon for Korir, who competed sparingly since finishing second in New York two years ago.
Viola Cheptoo, who was making her marathon debut at 32 after a long career on the track, escaped the peloton late and joined Jepchirchir and Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh.
The race came down to Jepchirchir and Cheptoo, and the marathoner had more speed than the veteran miler at the end, launching a sudden gust down the small hill about half a mile before the finish.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S TOP 10
1. 2:22:39 Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)
2. 2:22:44 Viola Jeptoo (Kenya, debut)
3. 2:22:52 Ababel Yeshaneh (Ethiopia)
4. 2:24:42 Molly Seidel (United States)
5. 2:26:09 Helalia Johannes (Namibia)
6. 2:26:10 Kellyn Taylor (United States)
7. 2:26:18 Annie Frisbie (United States, debut)
8. 2:27:00 Laura Thweatt (United States)
9. 2:30:32 Grace Kahura (Kenya)
10. 2:31:05 Stephanie Bruce (United States)
MEN’S TOP 10
1. 2:08:22 Albert Korir (Kenya)
2. 2:09:06 Mohamed El Aaraby (Morocco)
3. 2:09:52 Eyob Faniel (Italy)
4. 2:11:15 Elkanah Kibet (United States)
5. 2:11:39 Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands)
6. 2:12:52 Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia)
7. 2:12:53 Ben True (United States, debut)
8. 2:12:57 Nathan Martin (United States)
9. 2:13:43 Kibiwott Kandie (Kenya, debut)
10. 2:14:06 Jared Ward (United States)
