Tola Breaks Record to Win Ethiopia’s First NYC Marathon

Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia emerged as the winner of the New York City Marathon, breaking the course record and securing Ethiopia’s first victory in the race. Tola finished the 26.2-mile marathon in 2 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 by eight seconds.

Speaking after the race, Tola expressed his gratitude to the people of New York for their support and credited their encouragement for his success. The 32-year-old runner, who finished fourth in the marathon in 2018 and 2019, pulled away from his compatriot Jemal Yimer during the race and steadily increased his lead.

Albert Korir of Kenya, the winner of the 2021 NYC Marathon, finished second, nearly two minutes behind Tola.

In the women’s competition, Hellen Obiri of Kenya claimed the title by pulling away in the final 400 meters of the race. Obiri, who ran the New York City Marathon for the first time last year and finished sixth, redeemed herself with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 23 seconds.

The women’s race was highly competitive, with several runners vying for the lead. Ultimately, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia finished second, followed by defending champion Sharon Lokedi. Obiri’s victory in the New York City Marathon comes after winning the Boston Marathon in April, making her the first woman since 1989 to secure both titles in the same year.

Despite expectations of a potential course record, the women’s race was more tactical, and the ideal weather conditions contributed to the impressive performances. Unlike the previous year’s warm temperatures, Sunday’s race had cooler temperatures in the 50s, providing optimal conditions for the 50,000 participating runners.

Even though the women’s lead pack included talented runners like Americans Kellyn Taylor and Molly Huddle, they ultimately fell behind and finished eighth and ninth, respectively. Taylor described the race as unusual and expressed surprise at the slower pace in the early stages. The lead group intensified the pace in the final miles, and Obiri, Gidey, and Lokedi separated themselves from the other competitors, securing the top positions.

Overall, Tola and Obiri showcased their exceptional talent and determination, breaking records and achieving victory in the challenging New York City Marathon.

Keyword: NYC Marathon