Ethiopian Tola and Kenyan Obiri competed in the New York Marathon

Tola, 32 and a gold medalist at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, dominated the competition with tremendous authority from start to finish and He broke the Big Apple marathon record with a time of 2 hours 04:58 (the previous mark was held by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai with 2 hours 05:06 since 2011). Tola took almost two minutes from Kenyan Albert KorirHe finished in second place (2 hours 06:57).

ObiriThe 33-year-old and winner of Boston in 2023 took the victory later. an exciting ending After the three runners were tied heading into the final kilometer of the race.

In a slow-paced and highly strategic race, Obiri achieved a time of 2 hours 27:23 (The women’s record in New York belongs to Kenyan Margaret OKOO with 2 hours 22:31 in 2003) Ethiopian Letesenbet left Gidey behind in the final meters (2h27:29).

Obiri thus took over from his compatriot Sharon LokediHe came very close to the winner in 2022, finishing third this year (2 hours 27:33).

This 2023 has been a year of great marks in the marathon. World records of Ethiopian Tigst Assefa (2 hours 11:53 in Berlin) and Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum (2 hours 00:35 in Chicago).

As expected, this Sunday’s marks in New York were a far cry from these impressive records, as the New York route was tougher and more challenging than the other ‘majors’ (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin and Chicago).

Imperial Tola

After the first and even 10 kilometers, Tola and Korir radically tightened the rhythm, they began to eliminate their rivals, and this disruption left a group of half a dozen runners in the lead. Ethiopian Jemal Yimer completed the trio, which left everyone behind after half of the race and reached Manhattan from Queens.

Tola did not slow down and with a new momentum, he left Korir behind and went head to head with his compatriot Yimer. Empire from beginning to end, Tola hit again at the 30th kilometer, Yimer could no longer follow him and Tola went alone to achieve an indisputable victory.

Obiri reigns in an epic finale

At the New York Marathon this year, most of the attention was on the women’s competition, and there were more prominent names in the men’s race.

American kelly taylor, Aggressive from the start, the driver took control of the race in the first kilometers and moved slightly away from the main group. Despite some isolated attacks, such as that of the Americans, they were hunted down before reaching the 10th kilometer and the group of a dozen runners Molly Meetingremained stable beyond the midpoint of the race.

At a slow pace, keeping each other in mind, and as in a sharp game of poker to see who would move first, none of the favorites dared to attack. Kenyan Viola Cheptoo broke the race After the 35th kilometer, only four runners survived the cut.

In the end there were three men vying for victory in the final kilometer and in a very exciting result in Central Park, Obiri managed to separate himself from Gidey and Lokedi to gain victory.

In the wheelchair competition, Switzerland completed the double with wins in New York by Marcel Hug, who made history as the first man to win six majors in one year, and first-time winner Catherine Debrunner. York.

A party in New York

With More than 50,000 runners Ready to cover 42,195 kilometers, New York gave athletes the perfect day to hit the streets at this time of year.

Thus, the women’s competition, which started at 08.40 in the morning, started on a completely sunny day with a temperature of 9 degrees, without any trace of rain or wind.

When the men’s test started twenty-five minutes later, the temperature was already 12 degrees.

From first thing in the morning, Thousands of fans flocked to the streets where the race took place to cheer on the competitors. and many traveled to the area around Central Park to witness its arrival.

Fans also enjoyed live music along the track, where flags and banners were hung to give strength to the runners.

The New York marathon once again left behind iconic images such as: Crossing the Verrazano-Narrows bridge – because of the runners’ shirts – numerous and colorful Right after we started testing on State Island.

The race took place under great security measures in the city’s five boroughs (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Manhattan).