New York Marathon Highlights: Gerda Misses Top 10 Goal
Kenyans dominate the podiums on unseasonally warm day
MIKE FINCH & TAYLOR DUTCH |
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From Staten Island to Manhattan, runners turned out incredible performances at the 2022 New York City Marathon. On Sunday morning, 50,000 participants covered the historic course that runs through five boroughs, setting the stage for a great day of racing in the Big Apple.
Despite unseasonably warm weather, runners broke records and battled for 26.2. Here are the highlights from this weekend’s competition.
Gerda Steyn fights to 12th Place Finish
Comrades and Two Oceans record holder Gerda Steyn finished 12th in Sunday’s New York Marathon clocking 2 hours 30 minutes 22 seconds, her second best time in the race despite the hot conditions.
Steyn was running with the lead back for the first few kilometres clocking 34.30 for the first 10km. She went through the half marathon mark in 1:13 before finishing in 38th place overall out of a field of 47 743.
Steyn finished 13th in 2018 and 11th in 2019 and was desperate to break into the top 10.
Heading into the women’s elite race, most were predicting track superstar Hellen Obiri to shine in her marathon debut. But it was fellow debutante Sharon Lokedi who emerged as the surprise champion on Sunday. The University of Kansas alum won the New York City Marathon in 2:23:23.
Before her New York City Marathon victory, Lokedi notched a personal best of 1:08:14 at the NYC Half Marathon in March.
Evans Chebet Grinds to Win Second World Marathon Major This Year
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Evans Chebet gave chase for most of the men’s competition and his efforts paid off in Central Park. The Kenyan athlete claimed the title in 2:08:41, 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Shura Kitata of Ethiopia. Abdi Nageeye followed for third in 2:10:31.
Chebet ran a patient race while navigating an unexpected move by a fellow competitor. After surging ahead of the competition in the early kays and maintaining a significant lead for the majority of the race, Daniel Do Nascimento cramped up around the 32km mark and dropped out of contention. The Brazilian had to use the restroom on the sidelines before succumbing to cramps and getting passed by Chebet.
Marcel Hug Breaks Men’s Wheelchair Course Record
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Marcel Hug didn’t leave anything to chance in his quest to defend his New York City Marathon title. Known as the “silver bullet” in elite racing circles, Hug established a sizable lead early on in the men’s wheelchair race. By halfway, which he reached in 40:32, the two-time Olympic champion was 1:19 ahead of his closest competitor Daniel Romanchuk.
The lead continued to grow in the later kays with Hug ultimately reaching the finish line in 1:25:26 to win his fifth New York City Marathon title in a new course record. Hug broke the previous 1:29:22 course record set by Kurt Fearnley in 2006. The victory also sealed the Swiss athlete’s World Marathon Majors crown.
Celebs Take On 42.2
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It was another star-studded field on the course of the NYC Marathon. Actor Ashton Kutcher made his marathon debut a successful one, crossing the line in a time of 3:5401. Chelsea Clinton was a surprise entry, returning to the NYC Marathon for a second straight year. This year, Clinton ran 4:20:34.
Jake Caswell Wins Nonbinary Division
It was the largest field of nonbinary runners in marathon history, and the event made history by being the first World Major Marathon to award prize money. Jake Caswell ran a time of 2:45:12 to take the win, earning $5,000 for their victory.
