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A Race Like No Other
The 46th Running of the New York City Marathon - As It Happens
On this page: Men's Race | Women's Race
We're on-site at the New York City Marathon and will be commenting on the race - as it happens. If you haven't yet, follow the links above to read the bios and look at the starter lists - so you know who the players are. Then, return to this page and refresh often. We'll have photos and post-race writeups after the race is over.
Refresh this page every few minutes to see the latest updates. We'll have all of the updates for all races on this one page - trying to make it as easy as possible for our readers to see what's happening.
Note, as you read these reports, they will appear in reverse chronological order.
Newest updates will be at the top of each section. Men's Race | Women's Race
Overview
The weather on race day will be fine for the runners: mid- to low 50s at the start and through to the finish. The wind looks to be a factor with 11mph headwinds at the start and up to 16mph winds from the NNW later. That means that there will be a headwind for the first 20 miles and then a tailwind. We'll expect to see the runners bunched up early on and anyone who decides to make a break for it alone will need an extra bit of courage to run alone into the wind for many miles...
Men's Race back to top
The Finish 2:07:51. Ghirmay Ghebreslassie becomes the first Eritrean and youngest-ever winner of the New York City Marathon in 2:07:51. Lucas Rotich, an early leader, held on well to finish runner-up in 2:08:53. Abdi Abdirahman, never at the front of the race, outlasted many many others to finish third in 2:11:23 and as first American. Hiroyuki Yamamoto, in his first race in the USA, finished fourth in 2:11:49 and Shadrack Biwott finished second American and fifth overall in 2:12:01.
40K (2:00:52), Mile 25 (2:01:39). Ghirmay Ghebreslassie will be guaranteed the win... Lucas Rotich is alone in second place.
Mile 22 (1:46:33), Mile 23 (1:51:26), Mile 24 (1:56:27). Ghirmay Ghebreslassie is 46 seconds ahead and well on his way to becoming the youngest NYC Marathon champion ever. Lucas Rotich will finish second. Lelisa Desisa, seemingly guaranteed a third place finish, has dropped out! The following pack has fallen apart and Abdi Abdirahman has run ahead to run in third place. Shadrack Biwott and Kiroyuki Yamamoto are running together for fourth or fifth place.
Mile 21 (1:41:41), 35K (1:45:18). Ghirmay Ghebreslassie will win.... And he is on pace for a sub-2:07 finish - that is really good, especially on the New York City Marathon course and especially on a day with a strong headwind. Lucas Rotich is 20 seconds back, he will easily hold on to second place but is not making up any time to threaten for the win. Dathan Ritzenhein has dropped out and two Americans are now vying for top American position: Abdi Abdirahman and Shadrack Biwott are running together in a group of five men making up spots four through eight. That pack is 1:10 behind the third place runner and 1:10 ahead of the ninth place runner.
Mile 17 (1:22:33), Mile 18 (1:27:10), Mile 19 (1:31:58), Mile 20 (1:36:46). Ghirmay Ghebreslassie has dropped the hammer and is running away with the race. He may (will?) become the first Eritrean to ever win the New York City Marathon. But, there is still a far way to go.... Lucas Rotich is second just a little behind. Lelisa Desisa is 45 seconds back in third plae, but still way ahead of the next runners and he should easily land on the podium.
Mile 14 (1:08:26), Mile 15 (1:13:11), 25K (1:15:56), Mile 16 (1:17:58). The men's race is down to three men who are running a full minute ahead of the next runners. Ghirmay Ghebreslassie leads and sets the pace with Lucas Rotich and Lelisa Desisa just with him. Among the Americans, Abdi Abdirahman is first at mile 16 (5th overall at 1:18:58), Dathan Ritzenhein is just behind (7th overall at 1:19:00) and Shadrack Biwott is third American at this point (10th overall, 1:19:16).
Mile 13 (1:03:53), Halfway (1:04:24). Lucas Rotich has broken the pack apart and only two women could go with him: Ghirmay Ghebrselassie and Lelisa Desisa.
Mile 10 (49:10), Mile 11 (54:11), Mile 12 (59:01), 20K (1:01:08). The lead pack now consists of 12 men: Lucas Rotich (KEN), Tadesse Yae Dabi (ETH), Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI), Senbeto Geneti Guteta (ETH), Musa Babo Ido (ETH), Tekeste Nekatibeb (ETH), Lelisa Desisa (ETH), Dathan Ritzenhein (USA), Hiroyuki Yamamoto (JPN), Abdi Abdirahman (USA), Moses Kipsiro (UGA) and Shadrack Biwott (USA). That pack contains three Americans who in addition to trying to do well in the overall race are eyeing each other as they go for the huge American money in this race ($25K/$15K/$10K/$5K/$3K for the top five Americans respectively).
Mile 8 (39:22), Mile 9 (44:17), 15K (45:51). Defending champion Stanley Biwott has dropped out. That following his DNF at the Olympics a few months earlier.... Thirteen men remain in the lead pack and Dathan Ritzenhein remains in control of the pack.
Mile 6 (29:36), 10K (30:37), Mile 7 (34:26). The men are running very consistent splits: averaging 4:52 +/- 3 seconds. That will put them into the finish at a 2:09 finish or faster.
Mile 5 (24:42). The pack remains at 18 men. It is typical at the New York City Marathon that the men's pack will remain large until mile 16 - we will see if this hold true this year.
Mile 4 (19:53). Dathan Ritzenhein continues to lead and set the pace, with Matt Llano on his shoulder. Just behind is the main pack of 15 runners, including all of the favorites and four additional Americans: Patrick Smyth, Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan //vail and Jonathan Grey.
Mile 3 (14:50), 5K (15:19). Nineteen men are in the lead pack, including nine Americans. The men are on track for a 2:09 marathon, this is a good effort.
Mile 2 (9:50). Dathan Ritzenhein and Matt Llano continue to lead, just five seconds ahead of the main pack.
Dathan Ritzenhein, followed a few steps later by Matt Llano, is running away from the rest of the field.
The men's race has started. Ghirmay Ghebbreslassie (ERI) is nomially at the front as the runners start up the Verrazano Narrows bridge.
The men's race will begin at 9:50AM. We'll have more when the race begins.
Women's Race back to top
The Finish (2:24:26). Mary Keitany has easily won her third New York City Marathon. Sally Kipyego, after dropping out in 2015, has finished her first marathon in 2:28:01. Molly Huddle, running strong, completes here debut marathon in third place overall in 2:28:13.
Mile 24 (2:11:22), Mile 25 (2:17:10). Mary Keitany continues to build her lead: four minutes ahead of the second runner. But she will fall short of the record. Sally Kipyego has passed Chepkirui and will likely run to second place - a great improvement after dropping out the year before. Molly Huddle is running strong as Joyce Chepkirui, currently in third place, is fading. Huddle may take over third.
Mile 22 (1:54:33), Mile 22 (2:0:05), Mile 23 (2:05:38). Mary Keitany is three and one-half minutes ahead of her competition. But, she has been slowing and the record now seems out of reach.
Mile 20 (1:49:03). Keitany's 20th mile at 5:32 was significantly slower than any other mile she has run in the second half of the race. Either she is slowing, or the last mile of headwind is having its effect. She is more than two minutes in the lead. Joyce Chepkirui is 2:06 back in second place. Sally Kipyego is solidifying her third place position. Molly Huddle is slowing, but remains in fourth place three and a half minutes ahead of fifth place.
30K (1:41:35), Mile 19 (1:43:31). Mary Keitany is now crushing the time needed for a course record. Crushing it.... Let's see how she can continue (or suffer from running too fast?!?).
Mile 16 (1:27:55), Mile 17 (1:33:03). Mary Keitany's 17th mile was run at 5:08, her third mile of 5:10 or better.... Keitany is now running on the pace to beat Margaret Okayo's record run from 2003. And what is amazing is that Keitany is running alone into a strong headwind. In a few miles she will turn south and have a tailwind to push her along, perhaps to a course record. Joyce Chepkirui is running 50 seconds behind, seemingly comfortable in second place. Sally Kipyego has passed Huddle to be in third place. Molly Huddle, though, continues to run comfortably at a constant pace toward a 2:27:10 Marathon.
Mile 14 (1:17:13, Mile 15 (1:22:30). Mary Keitany has broken away from all other runners. She looks strong, but in the past she has also broken away too early and then struggled in on the final miles. There is no need for her to move away this decisively, but all she knows how to do is run fast.... Joyce Chepkirui seems comfortably in second place, 20 seconds back. Molly Huddle has moved into third place 1:43 back, but on target ofr a 2:27 marathon. Sally Kipyego is starting to move forward and will be contending for a podium position, she is just six seconds behind Huddle.
Mile 13 (1:12:03), Halfway (1:12:39). Mary Keitany and Joyce Chepkirui reamin well in the lead. Aselefech Mergia is falling further behind. Molly Huddle is running alone in fourth place, passing the halfway mark in 1:13:35 on pace for a 2:27:10 Marathon.
Mile 11 (1:01:38), Mile 12 (1:06:46). 20K (1:09:04). Aselefech Mergia has fallen back: it is a race of two women: Mary Keitany and Joyce Chepkirui. They are on target for a 2:25 marathon if they can hold on to this pace.
Mile 10 (56:15). The fastest mile of the race: 5:06, and the race is truly among three women: Mary Keitany, Joyce Chepkirui and Aselefech Mergia. Molly Huddle is just behind running her own race and being extremely smart for her debut marathon. It is generally hard to stick to your plan with the adrenaline flowing, but Huddle is doing it.
Mile 8 (45:43), Mile 9 (51:09), 15K (52:48). Mary Keitany has pushed the pace and leads and the pack is beginning to break up. Joyce Chepkirui and Aselefech Mergia, two other favorites, are remaining with Keitany. Molly Huddle is just behind behind, falling into no-woman's land in her debut marathon, but seeming to be running on a smart pace for that debut (toward a 1:15 first half). Just behind are Etaferahu Temesgen, Diane Nukuri, Buzunesh Deba and Sally Kipyego.
Mile 7 (40:09). The pace has continued to acceleartate and only 8 women are in the lead pack: Ayantu Dakebo Hailemaryam, Aselefech Mergia, Mary Keitany, Buzunesh Deba, Etaferahu Temesgen, Joyce Chepkirui, Diane Nukuri and Sally Kipyego. Molly Huddle is just behind and maintaining contact with the leaders. Just behind, Kim Conley and Sara Hall follow as second and third Americans. Lanni Marchant of Canada - just months after running both the Marathon and 10,000m at the Olympics is with Conley and Hall.
Mile 6 (34:43), 10K (35:50). There are now 12 women in the lead pack as Gwen Jorgensen and Neely Gracey have fallen back from the lead pack.
Mile 4 (23:40), Mile 5 (29:10). Two miles, both at 5:30 per mile - that is faster than the race started and the women are on target for a 2:32 marathon.
Mile 2 (12:12), Mile 3 (18:10), 5K (18:42). Fourteen women are running in the lead pack. In that pack are all of the favorites five Americans: Gwen Jorgensen, Molly Huddle, Kim Conley, Neely Gracey and Sara Hall.
Mile 1 (6:28). The first mile is slightly slow - and now 18 women are together. At this point the women are just warming up...
From the beginning, three women have taken to the front: Caroline Lefrak started the push up the bridge (the start is uphill) and Laura Manninen and Neely Gracey have gone with Lefrak. Lefrak, an agent and accomplished runner with a marathon PR of 2:38:14, is likely running for the local prize money: first NYRR member. Manninen, from Finland with a personal best of 2:41:21, is running for exposure. We are surprised to see Gracey running out of the pack: Gracey has a chance at being one of the top Americans overall.
9:20AM: The women's race has started. Approximately 35 women started 30 minutes before the main field. In order to be considered for open prize money, a woman must start in this early wave. This includes the local elites as well, so from the start we expect this group to split into two or three packs very early on.
The women's race will begin at 9:20AM.
Coverage Homepage
Post Race:
Men's Post-Race |
Women's Post-Race
| Complete Searchable Results
Pre-Race:
Men:
Men's Preview & Starter List
Women:
Women's Preview & Starter List
Head-to-Heads: Elite Athlete Past Matchups
Extras:
Pace Calculator/Pace Guide/Viewing |
More News:
Press Releases |
News (other sources)
Featured Book/Movie:
Run For Your Life |
A Race Like No Other
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