(Reuters) – Eritrean world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie and Kenyan Mary Keitany powered to dominant victories in the New York City Marathon yesterday.
The 20-year-old Ghebreslassie won the men’s race in two hours, seven minutes and 51 seconds, more than a minute ahead of Kenyan Lucas Rotich.
Keitany became the first woman in three decades to win three consecutive New York marathons with a runaway performance.
The 34-year-old took the lead by the ninth mile, made a major move by the 15th mile and won by more than three minutes in 2:24:26.
Ghebreslassie’s victory ended a string of four victories in a row by Kenyan men in the race and denied the African nation a fourth consecutive sweep of New York men’s and women’s titles.
“I am really proud with my victory today to be the first one from my country,” said Ghebreslassie. “Nobody before from Eritrea won in the major marathons.”
Fourth in both this year’s London Marathon and the Rio Olympics, New York’s youngest ever winner joined Rotich and Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa in breaking away from a crowded pack at about the 22km mark.
By 35km Ghebreslassie held a 20 second lead over Rotich and was never threatened.
Third went to 39-year-old American Abdi Abdirahman (2:11:23).
