Kenyan Trio Dominates NYC Marathon as Chepkirui Claims Victory

The 2024 New York City Marathon witnessed a commanding performance in the women's division, with Kenyan athletes securing a remarkable sweep of the podium positions.

In a thrilling finish, Sheila Chepkirui emerged victorious with a time of 2:24:35, narrowly defeating defending champion Hellen Obiri, who crossed the finish line at 2:24:49. Vivian Cheruiyot completed the Kenyan triumph, securing third place with a time of 2:25:21. What makes Chepkirui's victory particularly remarkable is that this was her maiden appearance at the New York City Marathon, coming merely two years after her transition into marathon running. The race initially saw Ethiopia's Senbere Teferi setting the pace through the first 20 kilometers, but the tactical acumen of the Kenyan runners proved decisive.

By the 30-kilometer mark, the field had narrowed to five contenders, with the Kenyan trio ultimately asserting their dominance. The final miles of the race delivered intense drama as Chepkirui and Obiri engaged in a gripping duel. Chepkirui's impressive closing speed, marked by a blistering 4:59 final mile, proved decisive in securing her victory. The triumph carries significant financial rewards with Chepkirui earning USD 100,000 for her victory, while Obiri and Cheruiyot secured USD 60,000 and USD 40,000 respectively. In the men's division, the Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye claimed victory with a time of 2:07:39, prevailing in a close contest with Kenya's Evans Chebet, who finished just six seconds behind.

Albert Korir of Kenya rounded out the podium, while his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor finished fifth. The wheelchair divisions showcased exceptional athletic prowess with American athletes dominating both categories. Daniel Romanchuk secured the men's wheelchair title in 1:36:31, while Susannah Scaroni triumphed in the women's division with a time of 1:48:05. This year's marathon attracted over 50,000 participants from more than 150 countries thus maintaining its status as one of the world's premier road racing events.