by Larry Eder
Lelisa Desisa, photo by PhotoRun.net
The women’s marathon went out like a lamb, and finished, like a tigress. Mary Keitany showed that she is the finest women’s marathoner in world. She also showed something that has eluded her in past marathons: Keitany showed self control. Going out with a pack of 25 at the half in 1:15:50, Mary Keitany allowed 2018 Boston champ Desi Linden the chance to bust the race down to a pack of 10, then, Keitany, by 25k, took the race under her wing, and took off. Between 25-30k, Keitany ran 5:09, 4:55, then 4.58. Between 30-35k, Keitany ran 4:55, 5:01, 5:01. Keitany won in 2:22.48, the second fastest time in NYCM history, by running the second half in 66:58. Molly Huddle, when told that, captured what the rest of us thought, Huddle eloquently noted, “Holy Crap!” Why use ten words when one can use two?
Mary Keitany, photo by PhotoRun.netrrrrrrr
In the men’s race, nine time podium finisher Lelisa Desisa battled defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor, and between 23-34, put down a 4:30 mile, and Kutata fell back. Then, at 40k, Desisa sprinted and Kamworor dropped back! Kutata charged into second, but Lelisa Desisa, gutting it out, held on by two second! 2:05.59 to 2:06.01!
Desisa ran 63:57 in first half and 62:02 in second half! A glorious day for the 50,000 marathoners in the Big Apple.
