Tamirat Tola And Hellen Obiri Win NY Marathon

By: Gyang Dakwo

Tamirat Tola won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon on Sunday afternoon with a course-record time of 2:04.58.

The Ethiopian broke a 12-year record that was previously set by Geoffrey Mutai, who ran the race in 2:05.06.

Tola was neck-and-neck with his compatriot Jemel Yimer as they passed the 20-mile mark heading into the Bronx, and was well on course to beat Mutai’s time.

The podium was completed by Kenyan and 2021 champion Albert Korir, who finished with a time of 2:06:57, while Ethiopian Shura Kitata came third in 2:07:11 as Yimer faded into ninth.

World Championship winner Maru Teferi of Israel came sixth, while Dutch Olympic silver medallist Abdi Nageeye was two places in front in fourth.

In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri was victorious in the women’s race that went down to the wire, after crossing the line in a time of 2:27.23.

The Kenyan came out on top after a pulsating battle with Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, and the now dethroned champion Sharon Lokedi.

Obiri timed her victory assault to perfection a half-mile away from the end in Central Park, and pipped Gidey to top spot by a mere six seconds.

Lokedi would come third with a time of 2:27:33, while Olympic silver medallist Brigid Kosgei narrowly missed out on a podium finish in fourth after crossing the line in 2:27:45.