Kenyan Runners Sweep 2022 New York City Marathon
Kenyan runners Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi swept the men’s and women’s race in their debut New York City Marathon on Nov. 6.
The New York Post reports that Lokedi, 28, won the women’s championship by crossing the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 23 seconds in her first NYC Marathon. Chebet, 33, won the men’s competition with a time of 2 hours, eight minutes and 41 seconds.
Chebet won the Boston Marathon earlier this year, making him just the sixth man to win Boston and New York City in the same year, NBC Sports reports. His victory also means that Kenyan men won all six annual world marathon majors in 2022.
“Boston was actually harder and it prepared him for the win for New York. He’s very thankful,” a translator said for Chebet, The Associated Press reported.
Lokedi pulled out a win in what was a tight race with Israeli runner Chemtai Salpeter. The Kenyan took the lead in the final two miles to win by just seven seconds.
“I’m just so happy that I just won, you know?! I’m really excited, just so happy that I did it here. The people out there, the course was amazing, the cheers, everything. I’m just thankful,” the AP quoted Lokedi.
Brazilian runner Daniel do Nascimento took the lead from the start and was on pace at the halfway mark to shatter the course record of 2:05:06. However, he collapsed 21 miles into the race and quickly received medical attention. It was suspected that the unseasonable weather, 72 degrees with 67 percent humidity, contributed to his collapse.
When Do Nascimento fell to the ground, Chebet passed him and ran largely unchallenged to the finish line.
Chebet said he “felt bad for him, but had to continue to race,” the AP quoted his translator.
“He knew that it was hot and humid and (Do Nascimento) was going at a high pace. He has a lot of experience and he knew he was going to surpass him,” the Kenayan added.
This year’s marathon was the first competition at full capacity since 2019. Officials canceled it in 2020 and downsized the event in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
