NYC Marathon Has Its Winners

Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, Mary Keitany of Kenya take top spots
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 4, 2018 12:40 PM CST
NYC Marathon Has Its Winners
Mary Keitany of Kenya crosses the finish line second in the women's division of the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia has won the New York City Marathon, holding off countryman Shura Kitata by 1.99 seconds, the AP reports. Desisa finished in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 59 seconds. Last year's winner, Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya, finished third. Mary Keitany of Kenya became the second woman to win the marathon four times, beating countrywoman Vivian Cheruiyot by 3 minutes, 13 seconds. Keitany ran the race in 2:22:48, the second fastest in history. Margaret Okayo of Kenya holds the record of 2:22:31, which was set in 2003.

The victory was Keitany's fourth in New York in the last five years. She won in 2014, 2015, and 2016 before coming in second last year to American Shalane Flanagan. Keitany joined Grete Waitz as the only women to win the marathon four times. Waitz, a Norwegian, won the marathon nine times between 1978-1988. Flanagan finished third.

(More marathon stories.)

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