• epa07141290 Runners head across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. EPA
    epa07141290 Runners head across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. EPA
  • All runners finishing the TCS New York City Marathon will receive a participation medal being displayed before the start of the race in Central Park. EPA
    All runners finishing the TCS New York City Marathon will receive a participation medal being displayed before the start of the race in Central Park. EPA
  • Athletes in the Professional Men's race start the marathon ahead of the general classification. Reuters
    Athletes in the Professional Men's race start the marathon ahead of the general classification. Reuters
  • A runner stretches his leg as he pauses at the Queensboro bridge. AP Photo
    A runner stretches his leg as he pauses at the Queensboro bridge. AP Photo
  • A member of the Wheelchair Division race crosses the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. EPA
    A member of the Wheelchair Division race crosses the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. EPA
  • Runners approach the finish line in Central Park. EPA
    Runners approach the finish line in Central Park. EPA
  • A runner crosses the Queensboro Bridge. AP Photo
    A runner crosses the Queensboro Bridge. AP Photo
  • Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa crosses the finish line to win the Professional Men's race. Reuters
    Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa crosses the finish line to win the Professional Men's race. Reuters
  • The New York skyline is seen in the background as competitors run past. Reuters
    The New York skyline is seen in the background as competitors run past. Reuters
  • Runners race in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Reuters
    Runners race in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Reuters

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The 48th New York City Marathon - in pictures

Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa edged compatriot Shura Kitata to win the men's title and Kenya's Mary Keitany captured her fourth women's crown Sunday

Agence France Presse

November 05, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa edged compatriot Shura Kitata to win the men's title and Kenya's Mary Keitany captured her fourth women's crown Sunday at the 48th New York City Marathon, on Sunday.

It was a historic day in perfect running conditions for 50,000 entrants in the 26.2-mile showdown over the streets of New York.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Desisa, second in New York in 2014 and third in 2015 and 2017, finally claimed the crown in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 59 seconds with Kitata only two seconds back and defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya third in 2:06:26.

"I (was) thinking this year to be a champion," Desisa said. "I'm very thirsty to be the champion. I've been second. I've been third. This year I decided to be champion because I had the training, everything in my power I controled.

"Today is my day. I'm very, very happy." he added.

The only faster time in the history of the New York Marathon was the 2:05:05 men's record set by in 2011 by Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai.

Keitany took her fourth women's title in five attempts after finishing second to American Shalane Flanagan last year, crossing the finish line in 2:22:48.

Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot was second in 2:26:02 with Flanagan third, another 20 seconds adrift.

"I felt great today. I'm really happy for winning," Keitany said. "I did not give up (after last year). I went back home and said I will try my best and that's why I came back and that's what I did. I worked very hard for the victory." she added.

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