BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
Kenya cleared the men’s and women’s podiums at the New York City Marathon Sunday. Benson Kipruto survived a thrilling sprint finish in two hours eight minutes and nine seconds and Hellen Obiri won the women’s race in a course-record 2:19:51.
Kipruto ran flat out through the final 50 metres to hold off a late fight from Alexander Mutiso, breaking the tape by less than two-tenths of a second in a photo finish, with 2021 winner Albert Korir finishing third (2:08:57).
It was the fourth major title for Kipruto, who was in a two-man race with Mutiso at the 25-mile mark and appeared to be completely in control with 200 metres left.
He was forced to accelerate through the final straight, however, as Mutiso launched a gutsy late attack in Central Park.
Paris bronze medalist Obiri, who won in 2023, was running shoulder-to-shoulder with runner-up Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and enjoyed a comfortable finish after pulling away ahead of the final turn to claim her fourth major title.
Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24),who won last year, came third.
“We had a very strong field,” said Obiri, who pocketed an extra $50,000 for breaking Margaret Okayo’s 22-year-old course record of 2:22:31. “(I told myself) let me try to do my best, let me push.”
In the wheelchair division, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won a record-extending seventh title in the men’s race in 1:30:16, while American Susannah Scaroni won the women’s race in 1:42:10.
Kenyan two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, the only man to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon, finished 17th in 2:14:36.
40-year-old Kipchoge has announced plans to embark on a two-year mission to run seven marathons across seven continents in his “Eliud Kipchoge World Tour” amid rampant speculation that New York could be his final competitive marathon.
The five-borough classic capped the World Marathon Majors calendar for the year, after a doping suspension for the women’s world-record holder rocked competitive distance running.
Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich was banned for three years late last month after admitting to anti-doping rule violations.
