Imperial Tola
Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, 32, and a gold medalist at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, dominated the New York Marathon with commanding authority from start to finish. He shattered the Big Apple marathon record, crossing the line in 2 hours 4 minutes 58 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 2 hours 5 minutes 6 seconds set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011. Tola pulled nearly two minutes clear of Kenyan Albert Korir, who finished second in 2 hours 6 minutes 57 seconds.
From the early miles, Tola and Korir placed a firm dent in the field, stringing out a lead pack that soon narrowed to a core group. Ethiopian Jemal Yimer emerged as the third wheel who, after halfway, could not keep pace as Tola marched ahead. With relentless momentum, Tola pressed the pace at the 30th kilometer, then surged clear, leaving Yimer unable to respond and securing a consummate victory that felt earned from the outset.
Obiri reigns in an epic finale
In the women’s race, attention focused on a star-studded field, with Helen Obiri of Kenya proving the focal point of the finish. The 33-year-old, who also claimed victory in Boston in 2023, battled hard through a tense final kilometer that showcased a dramatic charge to the line. The race unfolded as a slow, strategic affair, with three contenders entering the final stretch bundled tightly together before Obiri produced the decisive move to claim the win in a memorable finish.
Obiri stopped the clock at 2 hours 27 minutes 23 seconds, while Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey finished close behind in 2 hours 27 minutes 29 seconds. Sharon Lokedi, another strong Kenyan challenger, ended up just off the podium in 2 hours 27 minutes 33 seconds. The 2023 season has set a blistering pace for the marathon, with Ethiopian Tigst Assefa setting a world record in Berlin at 2 hours 11 minutes 53 seconds and Kelvin Kiptum blasting a Chicago mark of 2 hours 00 minutes 35 seconds. New York’s course kept the time slower, highlighting the tough, hilly profile and the weather conditions that often temper the fastest times in majors such as Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, and Chicago.
In the wheelchair category, Marcel Hug of Switzerland claimed victory, marking a historic year as the first man to win six majors in one season, alongside Catherine Debrunner securing her first New York win for women. This added a rich layer to a day packed with drama and achievement.
A party in New York
More than 50,000 runners took to the streets to cover 42.195 kilometers, making New York a vibrant stage for athletic prowess. The women’s race kicked off at 8:40 a.m. on a bright day, with the temperature around 9 degrees Celsius and no rain or wind to speak of. The men’s race started about 25 minutes later, when the temperature had nudged up to 12 degrees. From first light, thousands lined the avenues and cheered as runners moved through the five boroughs toward Central Park. Live music, banners, and enthusiastic crowds added to the electric atmosphere as athletes pushed toward the finish line.
The iconic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge served as a visual landmark for the crowd, while the lanes on Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan buzzed with excitement. Security was heightened to ensure a smooth spectacle across the city, with fans and participants experiencing a celebration that underscored New York’s status as a premier marathon destination. The day proved that the New York Marathon is not just a race; it is a festival of endurance, city pride, and human spirit, captured in every stride along the route. The event left its mark as a vivid reminder of why marathon running continues to inspire participants and spectators around the world. (Source attribution: World Athletics)