Ethiopian breaks course record

Tamikat Tola of Ethiopia clocked two hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds in the recent New York City Marathon to break Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai’s course record set in 2011. Tola was the 10,000 bronze medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics but dropped out during the 2023 World Championship in Budapest. Kenya’s Albert Korir took second place in 2:06:57 while another Ethiopian, Shura Kitata wound up third in 2:07:11.  Abdi Nageeya of the Netherland finished fourth in 2:10:21 with Belgian Koen Naert placing fifth in 2:10:25.  The rest of the top ten are 6th Maru Teferi (Israel-2:10:28),7th Liass Aouani (Italy 2:10:54), 8th Edward Cheserek (Kenya- 2:11:07), 9th Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia-2:11:07) and Elkanah Zienasellasie (USA-2:12:09)

Women’s division

In the distaff side, Olympian Helen Obiri of Kenya timed 2:27:23 after pulling away from Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, world record holder in the half-marathon and 10,000m in the last 400 meters in Central Park, who pocketed second place in 2:27:29. Defending champion Sharon Lokedi of Kenya was third in 2:27:33. Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei pocketed fourth place in 2:27:45.   Obiri was 5,000 meter silver medalist in the last two Olympics and became the  first woman to win Boston and New York in the same year since Norwegian  Ingrid Kristiansen in 1989. Peres Jepchirchir who won the Olympic, Boston and New York  titles in an 8-month span in 2021 and 2022, withdraw from this year’s race with a leg injury. Three Kenyans occupied the next 3 places with Mary Ngugi fifth in 2:27:53, Viola Cheptoo sixth in 2:28:11 and the legendary Edna Kiplagat, seventh in 2:29:40. Kelly Taylor of the USA settled for eighth in 2:29:48 while compatriot Molly Huddle finished ninth in 2:32:02.  Ethiopia’s Fatima Jifar rounded the top ten in 2:34:10.

235 Pinoy runners joined NYC Marathon

Don’t look now but there were 235 Filipino runners including our very own Segundino Cardines from Boljoon, Cebu who joined the recent New York City Marathon. Cardines, who is now based in New Jersey, finished in over 3 hours with Juan Balagtas clocking 3 hours to be the best placed Pinoy runner  The 51,900 finishers included 16,948 international runners. Congratulations Dino!