Photo credit Marc A. Hermann/Metropolitan Transportation Authority
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Runners from across the globe took to the streets Sunday for the 50th race of the TCS NYC Marathon, with Kenyans sweeping both the men's and women's pro divisions.
Peres Jepchirchir, of Kenya, won the pro women's race around about 11 a.m. She finished in 2:22:39, right ahead of Viola Cheptoo, who is also from Kenya, and Ababel Yeshaneh, of Ethiopia, who finished third.
Shortly after, Kenya's Albert Korir won the pro men's division with a time of 2:8:22. Korir was 44 seconds ahead of Mohamed Reda El Aaraby, and Eyob Faniel, of Italy, who placed third.
Mohamed Reda El Aaraby, who was 44 seconds behind, came in second place, and Eyob Faniel of Italy was third.
After the 2020 event was canceled due to the coronavirus, New Yorkers were out this year to cheer the marathoners in what is the city’s biggest unofficial holiday, blending civic pride and togetherness.
This year, about 30,000 runners are participating in the 26.2-mile race around the five boroughs. That’s about 40% fewer participants than in 2019 due to coronavirus precautions.
“We’ve also added an additional wave for our event. So instead of a traditional fourth wave, we’ve added a fifth wave, so when you add more time and less people, that instantly creates more space,” Ted Metellus, director of the New York City marathon, told NY1.
The first division winners came in just before 10 a.m., with Marcel Hug securing his fourth NYC victory in men’s wheelchair division and and Madison de Rozario winning the woman’s wheelchair race.
As always, a handful of celebrities also ran in the marathon, including supermodel Christy Turlington, MSNBC anchor WIllie Giest and Abby Wambach, the retired U.S. soccer star, among many others.
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