Kenyans Again Dominate New York City Marathon
Kenyans again ruled the New York City Marathon on Sunday, with Margaret Okayo smashing the course record and Martin Lel winning his debut marathon.
Okayo won the New York race for the second time, dropping to her knees and kissing the ground after crossing the line. Her time of 2 hours 22 minutes 31 seconds shattered her record by nearly two minutes.
She set the course record in 2001 in 2:24:21. The next two finishers also beat the previous course record.
Lel was timed in 2:10:30 for 26.2 miles.
Reigning world champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya was second among the women in 2:23:04, followed by Lornah Kiplagat, a native Kenyan who became a Dutch citizen this year, in 2:23:43.
On the men’s side, defending champion Rodgers Rop of Kenya was second in 2:11:11 and countryman Christopher Cheboiboch was third in 2:11:23.
Five of the last seven men’s champions have been from Kenya. The top three men last year were from Kenya.
Lel and Okayo each won $100,000, with Okayo getting a $60,000 bonus for finishing under 2:23.
From Associated Press
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