Athletics: Kenyans Dominate New York City Marathon
Kenyan athlete Evans Chebet survived brutal heat to win the New York City Marathon men’s race while compatriot Sharon Lokedi won the women’s race, completing a double for the African nation in brilliant fashion.
Daniel Do Nascimento, who had been leading the entire men’s race, collapsed around the 2o-mile mark. Police officers ran to assist him and race officials later said he was okay, and had not been taken to hospital.
Chebet, who won in Boston this year, had accelerated around mile 15 and overcame obvious fatigue to produce a final surge to cross the finish in two hours eight minutes 41 seconds. Ethiopian Shura Kitata finished second in 2:08:54, while Dutchman Abdi Nageeye took third.
“He said it was hard for him to race especially because it was hot,” Chebet’s interpreter told reporters.
Chebet’s win completes a Kenyan sweep of the six men’s world marathon majors in 2022.
Sharon Lokedi
Kenyan athlete Sharon Lokedi, making her marathon debut, stayed with the leading pack before pulling away in the final stages to win her race in a time of 2:23:23.
Israeli Lonah Chemtai Salpeter finished second in 2:23:30, and world champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia took third.
“I’m out of words, I’m really excited,” said Lokedi, the eighth competitor to win the New York race in a marathon debut. “I’m just so happy that I did it here.”
The 28-year-old said she had no expectations that she would win the race and would consult her coach before deciding on another marathon.
“I just wanted go and put myself in it and see where I’ll end up,” she told reporters. “Halfway through I felt really good.”
The year’s final marathon major was back at full capacity for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, with some 50,000 competitors hitting the streets and thousands of people congregating along the course to cheer.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
