Hellen Obiri set a remarkable new women’s course record while winning the New York City Marathon on Sunday. The Kenyan athlete completed the race in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 2:22:31, set by Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Obiri’s Historic Performance
Obiri’s victory was not only significant because of the record, but also because she secured her second title in this prestigious event. She initially ran alongside 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi but pulled ahead in the final mile to clinch the win. Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui placed third, and all three women finished with times that surpassed the old course record.
Men’s Race Results
Benson Kipruto won the men’s race, narrowly defeating Alexander Mutiso Munyao in a thrilling finish. Kipruto finished just under 0.2 seconds ahead, with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 9 seconds. This victory adds to his impressive collection of titles, including wins at Tokyo, Chicago, and Boston marathons.
Key Highlights
- Obiri breaks the previous women’s course record.
- Kipruto wins the men’s race by a mere 0.2 seconds.
- All top three women finish under the old record.
Notable Performances from Earlier Races
This year’s New York City Marathon marked the first occasion since 2018 that the previous three women’s champions competed together. As they approached Mile 20, they had established a clear lead. American runner Fiona O’Keeffe and Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan initially joined them but could not maintain their pace in the final stretch, finishing fourth and contributing to a strong performance from the Kenyan runners.
Wheelchair Race Winners
In the wheelchair division, Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men’s race, marking his record seventh victory in the event. Susannah Scaroni from the United States clinched her third title in the women’s wheelchair race.
The New York City Marathon continues to showcase outstanding talent, with Kenyan runners dominating the results once again. This year’s event highlighted the competitive spirit and athletic prowess that define this iconic race.
