by runblogrunstg
Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service ([email protected])
This Day in Track & Field–November 6
1883—The NYAC organizes 1st American cross-country championship race. Thomas Delaney (26:30) was the winner over the 4.25-mile course in New York City.
From the NY Times:
The spectators were numerous, and as the course lay for some distance along the King’s Bridge road many were present in carriages, and several horseback parties of ladies and gentlemen followed the runners.
At the conclusion of the race, the tired runners were fed upon sandwiches and clam chowder, and then returned to the city. One of them, whose name is withheld for the sake of his relatives, lost his trousers during the race, and came home covered with confusion and a horse blanket.
NY Times Archives (For Subscribers?): https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1883/11/07/103441549.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Cross_Country_Championships
1909—George Bonhag set an American Record of 31:05.2 for 6-miles at Celtic Park in NY City.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bonhag
TCS NY City Marathon
1988—Great Britain’s Steve Jones, a native of Wales, was the Men’s winner in 2:08:20, the 2nd fastest time ever on the course (at the time). His 3:21 margin of victory over Italy’s Salvatore Bettiol (2:11:41) is still the largest in the 5-boro event’s history. 3rd was Ireland’s John Treacy (2:13:18). Norway’s Grete Waitz (2:28:07), coming back from an injury-plagued 1987 season, won her record 9th (and final) women’s title. 2nd and 3rd were Italy’s Laura Fogli (2:31:26) and American Joan Benoit Samuelson (2:32:40), the 1984 Olympic champion.
Waitz finished 2nd to Benoit-Samuelson at the 1984 Olympics, but didn’t view her win here as “revenge”. “The Olympics are something very special because they happen every fourth year,” she said. “You can’t have the Olympics all over again. Los Angeles was a completely different race. So many things have happened to Joanie, and so many things have happened to me. When I entered the race, I didn’t see this as a duel . . . Except for my first win here {in 1978}, this is the one I’m most happy for.”
Samuelson and Waitz ran together through the halfway point. Samuelson was still contending at Mile 21, until she fell after colliding with a child trying to give water to another runner. “It caught me totally off guard,” Samuelson said. “If I had seen it coming, I would have broken every bone in my body. I wouldn’t call it a memorable moment. I’d just as soon forget it.”
Finishing 14th (2:14:50) in the Men’s race was Geoff Wightman, a familiar voice in the sport as an announcer at many major events, including the NY City Marathon! He also coaches his son Jake, who was the winner of the 1500-meters at the 2022 World Championships.
Other Notable Finishers (Total-22,405/18,431 men, 3974 women)
Men: 3.John Treacy (Ireland) 2:13:18, 4.Gidamis Shahanga (Tanzania) 2:13:50…8.Mark Nenow (USA) 2:14:21
By the numbers: Starters-23,463 (M-19,310, W-4,153; Finishers-22,405 (M-18,431, W-3,974)
Results: https://results.nyrr.org/event/881106/finishers
Top 20: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_New_York_City_Marathon
Looking Back(2020): https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/grete-waitz-nine-victories-new-york-city-mara
1994—The men’s race provided one of the most bizzare finishes in the race’s history. With less than a mile to go, Germán Silva was battling fellow Mexican (and training partner) Benjamin Paredes for the lead on Central Park South when he mistakenly followed the lead vehicles, which were making a necessary early exit from the race, into Central Park. Silva, reacting to the frantic gestures of officials and police officers, quickly went into reverse and eventually caught Paredes, winning by a mere two seconds (2:11:21-2:11:23).
Silva, a good sport, helped recreate the moment the following night as part of a skit on the David Letterman Show!
Kenya’s Tegla Loroupe became the first woman from Africa to win a major marathon, finishing first in 2:27:37
This was the first year as race director for Allen Steinfeld, who had taken the reins from Fred Lebow, who lost his battle with cancer the previous month.
Sadly, two men suffered heart attacks after finishing the race and were pronounced dead after being taken to a nearby hospital.
Other Notable Finishers (Total-29,735/22,758 men, 6977 women)
Men: 3.Arturo Barrios 2:11:43, 4.Sammy Lelei (Kenya) 2:12:24…9.Salvatore Bettiol (Italy) 2:13:44…17.Gianni Poli (Italy/1986 winner) 2:19:27
Women: 2.Madina Biktagirova (Belarus) 2:30:00, 3.Anne-Marie Lauck (USA) 2:30:19, 4.Anuța Cătună (Romania/would win in 1996) 2:31:26…6.Olga Appell (USA) 2:32:45; DNF-Kim Jones
That Finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzMi5zzHHic
2005—The Men’s race provided the closest finish in NY history (at the time). After battling shoulder-to-shoulder through the last ¼-mile, Kenya’s Paul Tergat, the World Record holder, edged ahead of South Africa’s Hendrick Ramaala, the defending champion, to win by .3s (Official times-2:09:30 2:09:31)! The two went at it down the final stretch in Central Park, with Ramaala falling to the ground after he crossed the finish line. Finishing 3rd and 5th were Americans Meb Keflezigh i(2:09:56) and Abdi Abdirahman (2:11:24). Meb had won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Latvia’s Jelena Prokopčuka (2:24:41) came from behind late in the race to win the Women’s division over Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei (2:24:55) and Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu (2:25:21).
Other Notable Finishers (Total-36,872/24,812 men, 2,060 women)
Men: 4.Robert Cheruiyot (Kenya) 2:11:01…9.Jon Brown (Great Britain) 2:13:29…11.Matt Downin (USA) 2:14:28…18.Ryan Shay (USA) 2:17:14; DNF-John Kagwe (Kenya)
Women: 6.Lyudmila Petrova (Russia) 2:27:21, 7.Gete Wami (Ethiopia) 2:27:40…10.Lornah Kiplagat (Netherlands) 2:28:28…18.Jen Rhines (USA) 2:37:07
http://www.marathonguide.com/results/browse.cfm?MIDD=472051106
Men’s Finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRT_EQrOzlc
Longer Version(in German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbhlreoFP4o
2011—Ideal conditions and strong fields led to a slew of fast times in both races, with Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai setting a Men’s Course Record of 2:05:06, which stood until 2023, when Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola ran 2:04:58! Also under the previous CR of 2:07:43 were Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai (2:06:18) and Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede (2:07:14). 6th in 2:09:13 was American Meb Keflezighi. It was the 2nd fast win of the year for Mutai, who had run an incredible 2:03:02 in Boston in April.
In the Women’s division, Kenya’s Mary Keitany was on World Record pace through the ½-way point, but slowed a little in the latter stages of the race and was passed by the Ethiopian duo of Firehiwot Dado (2:23:15) and Buzunesh Deba (2:23:19). Keitany still ran a creditable 2:23:38 in 3rd place. She would go on to become a 4-time winner in NY (2014-2016, 2018).
Other Notable Finishers (47,340/30,068 men, 12,272 women)
Men: 4.Gebre Gebremariam (Ethiopia/2010 winner) 2:08:00, 5.Jaouad Gharib (Morocco) 2:08:26…9.Ed Moran (USA) 2:11:47
Women: 5.Kim Smith (New Zealand) 2:25:46…16.Lauren Fleshman (USA) 2:37:22
Results: https://results.nyrr.org/event/108/finishers
Top 20: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_New_York_City_Marathon
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/sports/dado-wins-womens-title-in-new-york-city-marathon.html
Mutai Feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjzWoWwYad0
All-Time Men’s Performances (through 2024)
1.2:04:48 Tamirat Tola Ethiopia 2023
2.2:05:06 Geoffrey Mutai Kenya 2011
3.2:05:59 Lelisa Desisa Ethiopia 2018
4.2:06:01 Shura Kitata Ethiopia 2018
5.2:06:26 Geoffrey Kamworor Kenya 2018
6.2:06.28 Emmanuel Mutai Kenya 2011
7.2:06:57 Albert Korir Kenya 2023
8.2:07:11 Shura Kitata Ethiopia 2023
9.2:07:13 Tsegaye Kebede Ethiopia 2011
10.2:07:43 Tesfaye Jifar Ethiopia 2001
2016—Kenya’s Mary Keitany (2:24:26) was unchallenged as she won the women’s race for the 3rd year in a row (she would win again in 2018). Finishing a distant 2nd and 3rd in their marathon debuts were Kenya’s Sally Kipyego (2:28:01) and American Molly Huddle (2:28:13).
Mary Keitany wins The 2017 Great North Run, photo by Great North Run / Great Run Company
Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, the 2015 World Champion, won the men’s race in 2:07:51. Only 20 at the time, he’s still the youngest winner ever in NY. At the other end of the age spectrum, 39-year old Abdi Abdirahman (USA) finished 3rd in 2:11:23.
Other Notable Finishers (Total-51, 394/29,930 men, 21, 464 women)
Men:2.Lucas Rotich (KEN) 2:08:53…5.Shadrack Kiptoo Biwott 2:12:01; DNF: Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia), Dathan Ritzenhein
Women:9.Sara Hall 2:36:12…14.Gwen Jorgensen 2:41:01…16.Kim Conley 2:41:38
By the numbers: Starters-51,999 (M-30,285, W-21,714); Finishers-51,394 (M-29,930, W-21,464)
Results: https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2016/finishers
Top 20: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_New_York_City_Marathon
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/sports/nyc-marathon-2016.html
http://www.marathonguide.com/results/browse.cfm?MIDD=472161106
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIJ_wqcMtCU
2022—Winners Evans Chebet (2:08:41) and Sharon Lokedi (2:23:23), making her debut at the distance, made it a Kenyan sweep at the TCS NY City Marathon.
Chebet, who had also won in Boston in April, was running in 2nd place when Brazil’s Daniel Do Nascimento, who had built a huge lead after going out at World Record pace, collapsed during Mile 21 and dropped out of the race. (He had earlier taken a “potty break”).
Gianni Demadonna, his agent, told LetsRun that Do Nascimento “had diarrhea due to something he drank during the race” and that the ultimate cause of Do Nascimento’s collapse “….was that he underestimated the humidity and the warm[th] of NY today and in any case he open[ed] too fast”. Do Nascimento was fine after being treated at a local hospital. (It was one of the warmest NY City Marathons ever, with the temperature reaching a high of 74F/23C). It was the 2nd such experience for Do Nascimento, who also dropped out of the Olympic Marathon in 2021 after going out too fast.
Lokedi, the 2018 NCAA Champion at 10,000-meters while at Kansas, overtook Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (2:23:30) in the final mile to secure the win. She is married to another NCAA Champion (17 times!), former Oregon Duck Edward Cheserek.
Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat, just 9 days shy of her 43rd birthday, finished 4th in 2:24:16. She won in NY in 2010 and was the World Champion in the Marathon in 2011 and 2013.
Fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri (2:25:49), a 2-time World Champion at 5000-meters, finished a disappointing (to her) 6th in her first marathon.
Other notable/U.S. finishers (Total-47.840/26,609 men, 21,185 women)
Men: 2.Shura Kitata (ETH) 2:08:54…7.Albert Korir (KEN) 2:13:27…9.Scott Fauble (USA) 2:13:35, 10.Reed Fischer (USA) 2:15:23, 11.Jared Ward (USA) 2:17:09…13.Leonard Korir (USA) 2:17:29
Women: 3.Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:23:39…5.Viola Cheptoo Lagat (KEN) 2:25:34…7.Aliphine Tuliamuk (USA) 2:26:18, 8.Emma Bates (USA) 2:26:53…10.Nell Rojas (USA) 2:28:32…12.Stephanie Bruce (USA) 2:30:34.
By the numbers: Starters-48,726 (M-27,153, W-21,526); Finishers-47,840 (M-26,609, W-21,185)
https://results.nyrr.org/event/M2022/finishers
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/06/sports/nyc-marathon
LetsRun Coverage: https://www.letsrun.com/events/2022/11/2022-tcs-new-york-city-marathon
Do Nascimento:
Top-10: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_New_York_City_Marathon
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a41836478/nyc-marathon-2022-results/
Past NY City Marathon Winners: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winners_of_the_New_York_City_Marathon
Through The Years:
Memorable Moments:
Born On This Day*
Savanté Stringfellow 47 (1978) 2004 World Indoor Champion—Long Jump
Silver medalist-2001 World Championships; 2001 U.S. Champion
3-time NCAA Champion at Mississippi-2000, 2001 (indoors/outdoors)
2000 Olympian (Qual.)
PB: 27-11 ½ (8.52/2002)
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/89167
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/savante-stringfellow-14252437
Joyce Chepchumba-Kenya 55 (1970) 2000 Olympic bronze medalist—Marathon
Winner of marathons in Chicago (1998,1999), London (1999), Tokyo (2000), New York (2002)
World Half-Marathon: 1997 (4th), 1998 (6th), 1999 (5th)
PBs: 1:08:11 (2004), 2:23:22 (1999)
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/72709
https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/joyce-chepchumba-the-first-african-to-win-the
Norbert Elliott-Bahamas 63 (1962) 2-time Olympian—Triple Jump/1988 (10th), 1992 (qual.round)
9th at the 1987 World Championships
All-American at UTEP: NCAA-1984 (4th)
1981 Junior College Champion (Wharton County-TX)
Former head coach at Purdue retired after the 2024 season…among the elite athletes he coached while at other
schools were fellow Bahamians Debbie Ferguson and Tonique Williams-Darling (Georgia), and DeeDee Trotter and
Aries Merritt (Tennessee).
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/65006
https://purduesports.com/news/2024/06/20/track-field-head-coach-norbert-elliott-to-retire
https://www.bahamasembdc.org/bahamians-in-the-diaspora-norbert-elliott/
Ken Patera 82 (1943) 1967 NCAA Indoor Champion—Shot Put (BYU)/1966-2nd); 3rd Outdoors (1967)
Had successful careers in weightlifting and as a villain on the wrestling circuit!
1971 Pan-American Games Champion in the Unlimited Class (weightlifting)
Twice named “The Most Hated Wrestler of the Year” (1977,1981)
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/57011
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Patera
Match vs Andre the Giant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYjVmQPhLm8&list=PL1WvIOWDGxAGxyzlCcIGdoXRQ6AdkuIl7&index=16
https://ringthedamnbell.wordpress.com/2019/11/20/jailbreak-ken-patera-returns-to-the-wwf/
Deceased
Larry “The Mighty Burner” James 61 (1947-Nov.6, 2008) 1968 Silver medalist-400m, gold medalist-4×400 (WR-2:56.1)
(Vince Matthews 45.0, Ronald Freeman II 43.2, Larry James 43.8, Lee Evans 44.1)
1970 NCAA Champion—400m (Villanova/1968-2nd, 1969-5th)
3-time NCAA Indoor Champion—440y (1968-1970); 2-time NCAA Indoor Champion—Mile Relay (1968,1970)
8-time Penn Relays Champion—H.S. Mile Relay (1966/White Plains,NY), Villanova–3/Mile Relay, 3/Sprint Medley,
(1968-1970), Club-Mile Relay (1972/BOHAA)
As a sophomore, “The Mighty Burner” ran a 43.9 anchor split (the fastest 1-lap in history at the time) to give
Villanova the win in the Mile Relay at the 1968 Penn Relays (Villanova’s 5th win of the weekend)
Former World Record—400 Meters (44.1/1968); PB:43.97 (1968)
Inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 2003
Member of the White Plains(NY) teams that set National High School Records in the 880y and Mile Relays in 1966
Was a Coach, Athletic Director, and Dean during his 36 years at Richard Stockton College(NJ)
Soon after being diagnosed with colon cancer, 1,000 people showed up at a tribute in his honor at Stockton in 2007.
You can read my account of that memorable event at:
https://villanova.com/news/2007/12/18/A_Tribute_to_Larry_James.aspx
https://vault.si.com/vault/1968/05/06/the-mighty-burner-blazes-on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_James
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/sports/othersports/08james.html
HOF Bio: https://www.usatf.org/athlete-bios/larry-james
Penn Relays Wall of Fame: https://pennrelays.com/honors/wall-of-fame/larry-james/43
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78595
https://stocktonathletics.com/honors/stockton-athletics-hall-of-fame/g-larry-james/1
T&F News Cover(May I, 1968): https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1968_05I.jpg
Videos
OG 400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBQdA5CbSFM
OG 4×400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q9gW8MfMWw
