Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia set a course record to win the New York City Marathon men’s race on Sunday, while Hellen Obiri of Kenya pulled away in the final 400 meters to take the women’s title.
Tola finished in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 58 seconds, topping the 2:05.06 set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011. Tola pulled away from countryman Jemal Yimer when the pair were heading toward the Bronx at Mile 20. By the time he headed back into Manhattan a mile later, Tola led by 19 seconds and was chasing Mutai’s mark.
Tola, who had two prior fourth-place finishes in New York, hoisted his arms aloft as he claimed his first World Marathon major title after taking third in London earlier this year.
Kenyan Albert Korir finished second in 2:06:57, while Ethiopian Shura Kitata was third in 2:07:11. Yimer fell back to finish in ninth.
While the men’s race was well decided before the last few miles, the women’s race came down to the final stretch. Obiri, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia and defending champion Sharon Lokedi were all running together exchanging the lead. Obiri made a move as the trio headed back into Central Park for the final half-mile and finished in 2:27:23. Gidey finished second, 6 seconds behind. Lokedi finished third in 2:27:33.
Obiri added the New York victory to her win at the Boston…
