First modification: Last modification:
–
New York (AFP) – Kenya celebrated a double this Sunday in the 50th edition of the emblematic New York marathon with the triumphs in the men’s branch of Albert Korir and in the women’s of Peres Jepchirchir, Olympic champion in Tokyo-2020, both in exciting finals.
The 27-year-old Korir prevailed in the iconic race with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 22 seconds.
The Kenyan had been second in 2019 after his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor and could not fight for the title in 2020 due to the cancellation of the test due to the covid-19 pandemic.
This Sunday, Korir rallied in the last kilometers to overtake Moroccan Mohamed El Aaraby by 44 seconds, with Italian Eyob Faniel in third place in 2: 09.52.
“I was hoping to win. It was not an easy race, but I enjoyed it,” Korir said after crossing the finish line.
In the women’s division, Peres Jepchirchir became the first Olympic gold medalist to triumph on the streets of New York with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 39 seconds.
Only 13 weeks after climbing to the top of the Tokyo-2020 podium, Jepchirchir beat the Kenyan Viola Cheptoo, second with 2: 22.44, and the Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh, who finished in third place. with 2: 22.52.
“I did not expect it. I thank God for having finished the season well after winning the Olympic marathon,” he congratulated himself.
Jepchirchir was only able to break away from her podium mates in one last attack on the last corners of Central Park.
“The route is not bad, but not easy,” he explained. “I feel something that I had never felt when finishing a marathon. I don’t know where the energy came from. Thank God it came to me in the last minutes.”
28-year-old Jepchirchir succeeds another Kenyan, Joyciline Jepkosgei, champion in 2019.
Around 30,000 runners participated in the 42,195 kilometer race held through the streets of the “Big Apple”.
© 2021 AFP
–
