Flanagan Breaks A 40-Year Winner Wait

UNITED STATES WELCOMES FIRST FEMALE HOME WINNER OF THE RACE SINCE 1977

AS SHE strode down the finishing stretch in Central Park, the emotion was clear. Shalane Flanagan was about to become the first American woman to win the TCS New York City Marathon in 40 years, and there was no hiding how much it meant to the 36-year-old, who had made her marathon debut in the very same race seven years earlier.

Ignoring the script which had Mary Keitany down as a strong favourite going for her fourth consecutive victory, Flanagan timed her finishing surge to perfection to move away over the final few miles and finish more than a minute clear, clocking 2:26:53 to the Kenyan’s 2:27:54.

The men’s race also featured a strong finish and this time it was Geoffrey Kamworor who was victorious, the 24-year-old claiming a maiden victory over 26.2 miles. He saw off Wilson Kipsang in the last two miles and although the former world record-holder managed to close the gap, he just ran out of road. Kamworor’s first ever marathon win – which he adds to a CV including world cross country and half-marathon titles – was secured in a time of 2:10:53 as his fellow Kenyan finished just three seconds behind.

The last US winner of the women’s race was Miki Gorman in 1977 and Flanagan was emotional as she reflected on her victory.

“I wondered if I had enough to beat the best in the world,” said the four-time Olympian, who had been forced to miss her hometown Boston Marathon in April through injury.

“My coaches told me it was possible and they made me believe today it could happen.