Keitany wins a fourth NYC marathon; Flanagan third

Kenya’s Mary Keitany cruised to her fourth victory at the TCS New York City Marathon, in an (unofficial) time of 2:22:48, only 17 seconds off the course record. Vivian Cheruiyot, also of Kenya, finished second, three and a half minutes back, in 2:26:02, and defending champion Shalane Flanagan crossed the line in third place in 2:26:21 for a podium finish in what may be her final marathon.

RELATED: New York Marathon 2018: Elite women’s preview

That’s 4 #TCSNYCMarathon wins for Keitany! ???? pic.twitter.com/EWQJcc8Yyb

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 4, 2018

Keitany, 36, won New York in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and was defeated by Flanagan last year when Flanagan became the first American woman in 40 years to win in New York.

Top 11 results

In a field crowded with African elites and American women hungry to continue the success they’ve enjoyed so far this year, the Americans had an excellent day, with five runners in the top 11. Molly Huddle was only 20 seconds off the podium, with a huge personal best (2:26:44). Huddle finished second to Sara Hall at the US 10-mile championships on October 7. She was third in New York in 2016, and set the American record (67:25) in the half-marathon at the Houston Half-Marathon in January 2018. Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia was fifth. Boston Marathon champion Des Linden was sixth overall and the third American finisher, in 2:27:51. 

Allie Kieffer, who won the Scotiabank Toronto Half-Marathon just two weeks ago, was seventh, with a huge personal best of 2:28:12 (Kieffer was fifth last year). Lisa Weightman of Australia, who finished second in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games in April, was eighth, in 2:29:11. Mamitu Daska of the U.S. was tenth, in 2:30:31. Belaynesh Fikadu of Ethiopia was tenth, in 2:30:47, and Stephanie Bruce of the U.S. was eleventh, in 2:30:59.

The great Norwegian marathoner Grete Waitz is the only other woman to win the New York Marathon at least four times (Waitz won nine times between 1978 and 1988).

It was a gloriously sunny, fall day in New York with the temperature around 10 C and the usual crowds cheering at almost every kilometre along the course, which starts in Staten Island and goes through all five New York City boroughs before finishing in Manhattan’s Central Park. Flanagan’s “I love you” as she crossed the line has many people thinking she intends to now retire.

1. Mary Keitany KEN                     2:22:48
2. Vivian Cheruiyot  KEN              2:26:02
3. Shalane Flanagan  USA             2:26:21
4. Molly Huddle  USA                    2:26:44
5. Rahma Tusa ETH                       2:27:13
6. Des Linden USA                         2:27:51
7. Allie Kieffer USA                        2:28:12
8. Lisa Weightman AUS                2:29:11
9. Mamitu Daska USA                   2:30:31
10. Belaynesh Fikadu ETH             2:30:47
11. Stephanie Bruce USA                2:30:59