Kenyans Kipsang and Keitany sweep New York marathon

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 [link id=”299″ tax=”post_tag” text=” Wilson Kipsang”] and his training partner, two-time defending champion [link id=”324″ tax=”post_tag” text=”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 [link id=”569″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Lelisa Desisa”].

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, [link id=”141″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Mary Keitany”] edged out fellow Kenyan [link id=”570″ tax=”post_tag” text=”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

Selected Results

Women:

1. Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:25:07
2. Jemima Sumgong (KEN) 2:25:10
3. Sara Moreira (POR) 2:25:59
4. Jelena Prokopcuka (LAT) 2:26:15
5. Desiree Linden (USA) 2:28:10
6. Rkia El Moukim (MAR) 2:28:12
7. Firehiwot Dado (ETH) 2:28:35

Men:

1. Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:10:59
2. Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 2:11:03
3. Gebre Gebremariam (ETH) 2:12:13
4. Meb Keflezighi (USA) 2:13:18
5. Stephen Kiprotich (UGA) 2:13:25
6. Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 2:13:44
7. Masato Imai (JPN) 2:14:36