Kenyans Korir, Jepchirchir win New York Marathon titles

Kenya's Albert Korir won the men's title and compatriot Peres Jepchirchir captured the women's crown at the 50th New York Marathon on Sunday with surges over the final miles.

About 30,000 runners competed in the 26.2-mile run through the "Big Apple" after last year's race was wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Korir was the 2019 runner-up, finishing 23 seconds behind Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor, but crossed the line first on Sunday in 2hrs 8mins 22secs to beat Morocco's Mohamed El Aaraby by 44 seconds with Eritrean-born Italian Eyob Faniel third in 2:09:52.

"It was not an easy race but I enjoyed it," Korir said. "When I tried to push it tactically, it was there."

Jepchirchir became first reigning Olympic champion to win the women's race, claiming the victory in 2:22:39 just 13 weeks after her triumph in Japan.

"It was not expected. Unbelievable," Jepchirchir said. "I thank God I finished the season well after winning the Olympic marathon.

"Time was short but I tried my best to make sure I finished my work, completed my preparations."

Kenya's Viola Cheptoo, the sister of Kenyan-born US star Bernard Lagat, was second in 2:22:44 with Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh, the 2019 Chicago Marathon runner-up, third in 2;22:52.

Jepchirchir, 28, could not dispatch her fellow podium finishers until a late charge over the last turns in Central Park.

"The course is not bad but it's not easy," she said.

"I feel something I never felt before finishing a marathon. I don't know where the energy was coming from. Thank God it came to me in the last few minutes."