Kenya stole the spotlight at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, with runners claiming both the men’s and women’s titles in memorable fashion.
Hellen Obiri made history in the women’s race, breaking the course record to secure her second consecutive victory. She crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 51 seconds, surpassing Margaret Okayo’s 2003 mark of 2:22.31. Obiri pulled ahead from fellow Kenyan and 2022 champion Sharon Lokedi in the final mile, winning by 16 seconds.
The men’s race was a nail-biter, producing one of the closest finishes in marathon history. Benson Kipruto, competing in New York for the first time, edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso by just 0.03 seconds to claim victory in 2:08.40. The two Kenyans broke away from the pack near Mile 24, setting up a thrilling sprint to the line.
Sunday’s marathon reinforced Kenya’s reputation as a powerhouse in long-distance running, with both victories highlighting the nation’s depth and endurance on the world stage.
–ChannelAfrica/Reuters–
