Nairobi — Kenya’s Evans Chebet and Albert Korir claimed two of the three podium locations on the New York Marathon in an exciting males’s race on Sunday.
Chebet, the 2022 champion, clocked 02:07:45 to complete second as Korir — the 2021 champion — got here third in 02:08:00.
Belgian Abdi Nageeye clocked 02:07:39 to complete first in what was a cutthroat race to the tape.
With an elite area that additionally included Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola and two-time New York Marathon Geoffrey Kamworor, the race was at all times anticipated to be a nail-biting one for spectators and a tactical one for the runners.
Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba appeared to have made the primary transfer after 19km, surging in entrance of the main pack.
It proved to be a precursor to what was to return.
Midway by the race and the main pack consisted of acquainted faces anticipated by bookmakers to be on the forefront — Tola, Korir, Kamworor, Chebet and Bashir Abdi.
On the 25km mark, Korir upped the tempo a bit, surging into the entrance of the pack as the remainder of runners took the cue and adopted go well with.
Quickly, it was Tola’s flip to take the initiative, Kamworor and Chebet matching him pace-for-pace because the race more and more changed into one in every of brains — as a lot as of brawn.
With 14km to go, the main pack had shrunk to 6; together with 4 Kenyans (Kamworor, Korir, Chebet and Wesley Kiptoo) in addition to Tola and Nageeye.
Lower than 10km to go, it was now a three-horse race, as Korir and Tola appeared to wither away behind the main pack.
The end line in sight, it was now a dash between Nageeye and Chebet — none prepared to throw within the towel.
Nonetheless, the Belgian’s highly effective kick ultimately carried the day as he crossed the end line for his first New York Marathon title.
