Kenyans Kipsang and Keitany sweep New York marathon

Yomog Meje November 3, 2014

Yomog Meje November 3, 2014 4 views 2 minutes read

Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany won the New York City marathon in 2014 / Photo: Organisers

Kenyans Mary Keitany and Wilson Kipsang surged to a clean sweep of the men’s and women’s titles at the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday.

In the men’s race, former marathon world-record holder Wilson Kipsang and his training partner, two-time defending champion Geoffrey Mutai, had very large stakes.

If Kipsang won, he’d overtake Dennis Kimetto for the 2013–2014 World Marathon Majors title, worth US$500,000. But he’d have to beat Mutai, who would earn $100,000 if he won and would become the first male three-time champion since Alberto Salazar in 1982.

Kipsang and Mutai ran in tandem at the front with seven others still in contact until the 20-mile mark . But after they turned to the south and acquired a tailwind, a two-man break was made with Mutai dropped by Wilson Kipsang and Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa.

You Might Be Interested In

Kipsang overcame Desisa to take the New York Marathon title in 2:10:59 thus claiming victories the Berlin, London and New York marathons in just over 13 months.

Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa settled for second in 2:11:03 while his compatriot and 2010 New York winner Gebre Gebremariam took third in 2:12:13

“I’m used to a fast pace from the start,” said the Kipsang after the race. “Here, with no pacemakers and so much wind, I had to exercise patience.”

Keitany’s redemption

In her first marathon after the birth of her second child and despite not having run a marathon since finishing fourth at the 2012 Olympics in London, Mary Keitany edged out fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong in the last mile to win the women’s title.

Mary Keitany crossed the line in 2:25:07, ahead of Jemima Sumgong ( 2:25:10) and debutant Sara Moreira of Portugal, who finished third in 2:26:00.

“I worked hard for this opportunity,” said Keitany who got redemption for the disastrous race in 2011 where she raced out to a big lead only to be passed and forced to settle for third place in New York.

Play race video