Kenyan Athletes Jepchirchir, Korir Win New York City Marathon
Kenyan athlete and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir won the 50th edition of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, surviving a thrilling three-way battle before sprinting for the finish line, while fellow Kenyan Albert Korir won the men’s race.
Jepchirchir crossed the finishing line in two hours, 22 minutes and 39 seconds, with compatriot Viola Cheptoo and Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh finishing second and third respectively.
“After I won Olympic marathon I was not expecting to win,” said Jepchirchir, who had just 13 weeks in between the Olympic Games and New York. “I tried my best to make sure I complete my workouts, my preparations. I’m so happy today.”
Albert Korir
Kenyan athlete Albert Korir, who was trailing 52 seconds behind the leaders at the halfway point, established a 17-second lead through the 35-kilometre mark to win the men’s race of the New York marathon.
He leapt into the air as he broke the tape in 2:08:22 in Central Park, with Moroccan Mohamed El Aaraby finishing 44 seconds behind and Italian Eyob Faniel finishing third.
“In 2021 we had some training, some races were cancelled, but we keep on training,” said Korir. “When I had a chance to race in New York… I put more effort.”
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
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