Kenyan athlete Hellen Obiri has won the New York City Marathon in style entering into the historic books.
Obiri, 33. pulled away from Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey in the last 100 meters to win the women’s race by six seconds in 2:27:23.
Obiri, who earned the last two Olympic 5000m silver medals, became the first woman to win the Boston and New York City titles in the same year since Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen in 1989, writing a new history.
Gidey was followed by 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi and former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, both of Kenya.
Jepchirchir, who won the Olympic, New York City and Boston titles in an eight-month span in 2021 and 2022, withdrew from New York City on Saturday with a leg injury.
Kellyn Taylor was the top American placer in either elite race in eighth.
In the men’s category, Ethiopian Tamirat Tola won the New York City Marathon in the fastest time in race history.
Tola clocked 2 hours, 4 minutes, 58 seconds, taking eight seconds off Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai’s course record from 2011. He prevailed by 1:59 over 2021 champion Albert Korir of Kenya, the largest men’s margin of victory since 2000.
Tola, 32, won the 2022 World Championships, plus the 2016 Olympic 10,000m bronze medal. He dropped out during the 2023 World Championships marathon on August 27 with a stomach issue, then was a late add to the New York City field three weeks ago.
