Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and Evans Chebet created quite a stir on Sunday during their first New York City Marathon appearances.
With temperatures in the 70s, it was one of the warmest race days ever since the marathon was relocated to November 1986. Chebet won the men’s race and Lokedi the women’s in their first-ever marathons.
Chebet beat second-place finisher Shura Kitata of Ethiopia by 13 seconds as she crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 41 seconds.
The men’s race had a tense moment when Daniel Do Nascimento, who had been in the lead the entire time, passed out 21 miles in. Later, race authorities confirmed that he was fine.
The Brazilian broke the track record by two minutes throughout the race’s first half, clocking in at a blazing 1:01.22.
Before he began to slow down a little, he had been in the lead by about 2 minutes after the first 15 miles.
Do Nascimento collapsed just before returning to Manhattan and received prompt medical attention.
He had walked for a few minutes and had a fast 20-second restroom break just a few kilometers before he fell.
Chebet stated that he “felt awful for him but had to continue the race” after seeing Do Nascimento lying on the ground.
When pursuing Do Nascimento as they crossed the bridge into Manhattan for the first time, 33-year-old Chebet separated from the group.
Chebet took the lead after Do Nascimento’s defeat and remained unchallenged the rest of the way.
Earlier this year, Chebet won the Boston Marathon.
The translator explained that Boston was much more complicated and helped Chebet prepare for the victory in New York.
He is very appreciative.
The win extended an American male runner’s winless streak in the race, which began in 2009. Galen Rupp, the best hope for the Americans, was in the chasing group until pulling out of the race just before the 19-mile mark.
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