NYC Marathon Runs Predictable Course– African Runners Up Front

By Thalif Deen Reprint | | Print |

NEW YORK, Nov 1 2015 (IPS) - The annual New York city marathon, described as the world’s biggest with over 50,000 runners , ran its predictable course — dominated by athletes, both men and women, primarily from Africa who took most of the first five places after a grueling 26.2 miles of long-distance running.

In the men’s event, Kenya and Ethiopia took turns in the top five spots. The winner Stanley Biwott of Kenya was followed by Geoffrey Kamworor, also of Kenya, Lelisa Deisa of Ethiopia, Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia.

In the women’s event, Mary Keitany of Kenya, Aselefech Mergia and Tigist Tufa, both from Ethiopia took first, second and third places followed by Sara Moreira of Portugal and Christelle Daunay of France.

Biwott completed the course in 2 hours and 10 minutes while in the women’s event Keitany reached the finishing line in 2 hours and 24 minutes.

In the 45^th annual event, which wound its way through five of the New York City’s boroughs, African countries continued to dominate the race – as they did in recent years.

There were also half a dozen celebrities, including Hollywood movie star Ethan Hawke who completed the course in 4 hours and 25 minutes. But his participation in the marathon was primarily to raise funds for a charity.

The race, which traditionally begins at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, named after an Italian explorer from Florence, began in Staten Island and ended at Central Park even –as thousands of spectators cheered the runners through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.

Last year, the marathon brought in approximately $415 million to the coffers of New York city, according to figures from the New York Road Runners, the organizers of the race, making it a profitable event as well, with participants coming from over 100 countries..

According to the organizers, the entire 26.2-mile course was equipped with 62,370 gallons of Poland Spring water and 32,040 gallons of Gatorade, which were handed out in recyclable cups at every mile.

The prize money for the 2015 New York City Marathon was $705,000, with $100,000 awarded to first-place finishers, with potential bonuses of up to $50,000, depending on how fast they finished.

The first NYC marathon, organized in 1970 by Fred Lebow and Vince Chiappetta, was held entirely in Central Park.

Of 127 entrants, only 55 men finished while winners were given inexpensive wristwatches and recycled baseball and bowling trophies.