New York Marathon: Mary Keitany and Lelisa Desisa triumph with top times

04.11.2018

| Running classic

Martin Neumann

Thanks to a negative split of nine minutes for the two halves of the race, Mary Keitany almost set a new course record in the New York Marathon on Sunday. The 36-year-old triumphed in 2:22:48 hours and set the second fastest time in the history of the race. In the men’s category, Lelisa Desisa won the most prestigious marathon in the world in a heart-stopping final in 2:05:59 hours.

After two-thirds of the route, Mary Keitany got serious on Sunday at the 48th New York Marathon. The Kenyan increased the pace significantly, ran several kilometers in about 3:05 minutes and shook off the remaining competitors Rahma Tusa and half-marathon world champion Netsanet Gudeta (both Ethiopia) seemingly effortlessly.

Until the finish in Central Park, the 36-year-old continued to expand her lead and ran in 2:22:48 hours to her fourth victory in the most prestigious marathon in the world. Only Norway’s late running legend Grete Waitz has won nine more times in New York than the Kenyan. Mary Keitany only missed Margaret Okayo’s (Kenya) 15-year-old course record by 17 seconds.

Mary Keitany: 30:53 minutes between 25 and 35 kilometers

In addition to the prize money of 100,000 US dollars, the now four-time New York winner was rewarded with a time bonus of 45,000 US dollars. The second half ran the world record holder in all-women races under perfect marathon conditions in an outstanding 66:58 minutes and was thus almost nine minutes faster than in the “comfortable” first half (75:50 min). Proof of their absolutely exceptional class.

Their 10-kilometer sections were stopped at 37:07, 35:02, 31:33 and 31:47 minutes. She took 7:19 minutes for the final 2.195 kilometers. The Kenyan even ran the 10-kilometer section between 25 and 35 in 30:53 minutes. “I didn’t want to go too fast at the beginning. I wanted to feel good so that I had enough strength for the last few kilometers, ”said Mary Keitany. That was what happened to her at the London Marathon in April. After a (too) fast first half, she was on a world record course and lost several minutes on the final kilometers.

Vivian Cheruiyot: After London victory now second in New York

Behind Mary Keitany, an exciting race for the other podium places developed. Vivian Cheruiyot had divided her strengths best. The London winner worked her way up to second place on the final ten kilometers and held this position to the finish (2:26:02 h). Defending champion Shalane Flanagan (USA; 2:26:22 h) secured third place. Both were rewarded with prize money of $ 70,000 and $ 50,000, respectively. They were followed by Molly Huddle (USA), who ran the best performance with 2:26:44 hours, Rahma Tusa (Ethiopia; 2:27:13 h) and Boston winner Desiree Linden (USA; 2:27:51 h). “I am proud that I always fought in the race. There were some tough moments. But the fighting paid off, ”said a visibly moved Shalane Flanagan at the finish.

For men, the decision to win was made much later than for women. After 40 km the lead changed. Lelisa Desisa had the best ending for herself. In a heart-stopping finale, the Ethiopian sat with 2:05:59 hours (first half: 63:57 min, second half: 62:02 min) and the second fastest time in New York history with two seconds ahead of his strongly emerging Compatriot Shura Kitata through. Only course record holder Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya; 2:05:06 h) was faster in 2011. “I am overjoyed to have won. Thank you New York! ”Said Lelisa Desisa, who had already won the Boston Marathon three years ago.

Geoffrey Kamworor missed defending his title

For his first New York victory with a top time, Lelisa Desisa, like women’s winner Mary Keitany, received 145,000 US dollars. Third place went to Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya; 2:06:26 h). The half marathon world champion could not show his basic speed on the last kilometer and had to let the Ethiopian duo go. For the training partner of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge it was the first defeat in 2018.

The other places went to Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia; 2:08:30 h) and Daniel Wanjiru (Kenya; 2:10:21 h). The fastest American was Jared Wared in 2:12:24 hours in sixth place. The 43-year-old Bernard Lagat, former world champion over 1,500 and 5,000 meters, finished 18th in his marathon debut with 2:17:20 hours. More than 50,000 runners from 137 nations took part in the New York Marathon.

You can find the results in our results section …

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