(Photo Credit: Google Images)
After a one year hiatus due to security concerns and conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy, the 2013 New York City marathon returned with Kenyan runners sweeping the race. Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo rallied from behind in the women’s race to overtake Buzunesh Deba (Ethiopian), a Bronx resident who finished runner-up for the second straight time in her hometown race. Geoffrey Mutai won the men’s race for the second time, becoming the first man to do so since Kenya’s John Kagwe in 1997-98.
ABC’s Rachel Cohen reports:
“Nobody was catching Mutai, who pulled away around Mile 22 and beat Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede by 52 seconds. On a windy morning, Mutai’s time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds was well off his course record of 2:05:06 set in nearly perfect conditions two years ago…
‘To win this course twice, it’s not easy,” Mutai said. “For me, it’s a glory.’
Jeptoo trailed Deba by nearly 3½ minutes at the halfway point. She made her move as the race entered Manhattan after a race official on a bike told her how big the gap was.
‘I train well, and I was in good shape,’ she said. ‘So I tried to push myself to see that I am supposed to close the gap before they reach 40 kilometers (25 miles). When they reach 40 kilometers, it could be difficult for me to close the gap.’
Deba was slowed by stomach cramps, and Jeptoo passed the Ethiopian with just more than 2 miles left. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2013 London Marathon champ, Jeptoo won in 2:25:07 to clinch the $500,000 World Marathon Majors bonus.”
Read more at ABC News.
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