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A Race Like No Other
The 48th 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 for the 2018 marathon looks to be really, really good... The weather at the start will be in the mid-40s, rising to the low-50s when the top runners are finishing. The race is point to point, with the majority of the race run south to north. For the 2018 race day, there is expected to be a 5 mph wind from the south - meaning the runners will have a tailwind for about 21 miles of the course and a head wind for miles 22 through 25 (and a couple of miles of wind on their shoulders). With some really fast men (especially) and women, we will expect an exciting race.
Men's Race back to top
Finish (2:05:59). Geoffrey Kamworor has fallen back - what a surprise! Shura Kitata has regained some strength and is challenging Lelisa Desisa! But Desisa holds on to win in 2:05:59. Kitata finishes in second place in 2:06:01, while Kamworor easily hold on to third place in 2:06:26. Those are now the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fastest times ever run at New York. What an increadible race.
Mile 25 (2:00:22). Kamworor and Desisa! Kitata is now 8 seconds back...
Mile24 (1:55:43). Kamworor and Desisa - both pushing hard. Shura Kitata has fallen back and will likely have to settle for third place.
Mile 22 (1:46:30). Another 4:40something mile... Kamworor setting the pace, Lelisa Desis looking strong, Shura Kitata is starting to slow. Tola had not dropped out, but he did drop back and will probably keep fourth place.
35K (1:45:19). The men are on track for a sub-2:07 finish, but are falling behind record pace. Kamworor seems to be taking control. Ooops... we blinked and looked back up and are asking: "where is Tamirat Tola?" It seems that Tola must have dropped out.
Mile 19 (1:32:05), Mile 20 (1:36:57), Mile 21 (1:41:44). Festus Talam has fallen back from the lead group and is alone in fifth place 25 seconds behind the leaders, but 1:19 ahead of Daniel Wanjiru in sixth place. And back to the top 4... Kawmworor and Kitata seem to be pushing each other but Lelisa Desisa and Tamirat Tola are haging in well.
Mile 16 (1:17:53), Mile 17 (1:22:34), Mile 18 (1:27:15), 30K (1:30:20). The five men continue to push ahead - now clearly on track for a sub-2:07 finish. These five have a 1:12 cushion on sixth runner Daniel Wanjiru. The group is 33 seconds behind the split at this point when Geoffrey Mutai set his course record (2:05:06) in 2011. Likely we won't see a course record, but we'll be excited if third place comes in ahead of the 2011 3rd finishing time of 2:07:14...
Mile 15 (1:13:00). 25K (1:15:44). The men have crested the 59th St. Bridge, soon onto 1st Avenue which is where the real racing typically begins. But these men are already running super-fast, can they really step up from here? They are 39 seconds behind on this split when the 2:05:06 course record was set. They are on pace for a sub-2:08 or sub-2:07 finish on ths challenging course... Daniel Wanjiru is running by himelf 33 seconds behind the leaders. Juan Luis Barrios is 1:12 behind the leaders. Berhanu Kemal 2:00 behind the leaders. And runners 9 through 12 - including three Americans is 2:13 behind the leaders...
Mile 14 (1:08:03). The last mile was 4:42 - these men are not slowing down as they are soon going to approach the second major hill/bridge of the course...
Mile 12 (58:33), 20 (1:00:39), Mile 13 (1:03:21), Halfway (1:03:55). This is fast for this point - actually 35 seconds slower than when the course record was set. The four runners bThe leaders are now caught by two additional runners. Geoffrey Kamworor and Festus Talam have joined the three leaders.
Mile 11 (53:58). Four men have caught Kitata and now five run together.
Mile 10 (49:02). Shura Kitata continues to push ahead on his own... Behind, 4 men: Daniel Wanjiru, Festus Talam, Lelisa Desisa and Geoffrey Kawworor are letting Kitata go, but are working together with the hope that Kitata will falter in the next 15 miles (that is a long way!). Tamirat Tola, Juan Luis Barrios and Birhanu Kemal are running alone and separated in no-man's land behind those first five runners. Behind - 50 seconds behind Kitat, five other men are running together includeing four Americans: Abdi Abdirahman, Shadrack Biwott, Jared Ward and Chris Derrick.
Mile 9 (44:15). Kitata was looking at his watch and seemed disappointed. He actually turned around and started waving to the runners behind: "come on, come run with me." Kitata, 22 years-old and twice having run sub-2:05 doesn't understand that this is not the same as a flat London Marathon.
Mile 7 (34:36), Mile 8 (39:24). The 7th mile was a 4:49 mile and the 8th imle was a 4:48 mile, these are too fast for this point in the race. Kitata continues to push at the front and is getting away from the pack as the others give chase. At MarathonGuide.com we like to make predictions (we're so smart). Here is our prediction at miel 7: Kitata is pushing too hard and will have trouble at the end of the race. Kitata's run, also end up hurting some of the runners who were going with him early in the race... Behind Kitata, are Tamirat Tola and Geoffrey Kaworor as the others are falling behind in a separate chase pack.
Mile 6 (29:47), 10K (30:48). Shura Kitata continues to lead and the pack is beginning to break apart. 14 men near the front. The men are on pace for a sub-2:10 finish, so the pace is actually too fast for some of these men, that is too bad.
In the front group: Birhanu Dare Kemal (ETH),Tamirat Tola (ETH), Shura Kitata (ETH), Tadesse Yae Dabi (ETH), Festus Talam (KEN), Girma Bekele Gebre (ETH), Juan Luis Barrios (MEX), Lelisa Desisa (ETH), Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN), Temesgen Habtemariam Bekele (ETH), Daniel Wanjiru (KEN), Abdi Abdirahman (USA), Shadrack Biwott (USA), Alphonce Simbu (TAN).
Mile 4 (19:59), Mile 5 (24:51). Shura Kitata continues to set the pace. 23 men are in the front group.
Mile 3 (15:00), 5K (15:43). Shura Kitata is continuing to set the pace. Kitata is the fastest man in the field by his personal best, but he is used to marathons with pacers and flat courses. He is either stronger than the rest of the field and will push through to win; or we will find that that this 22-year old has underestimated the New York City Marathon course. We shall see...
Mile 1 correction (5:14). Mile 2 (10:05). The lead truck called in a correction, the first mile wasn't really that slow - it's all on track. Mile 2 was not too fast, but it does look like the runners are starting to stretch their legs. Ward and Fauble were leading but shortly after Shura Kitata is now starting to push it and run away from the others.
Mile 1 (5:37). This is not a fast pace... Festus Talam has moved to the front, with two Americans by his side: Jared Ward and Scott Fauble. They are just moving into a downhill bit and some runners just like opening it up on the downgrade and some don't. So the fact that Ward and Fauble are in the front doesn't mean too much
The men have started. From the start, two Ethiopians look to be sprinting up the bridg: Lelisa Desisa and Shura Kitata are ahead of all others - is it a strategy or is it nerves? Festus Talam is just behind - and the rest are all spread out. The weirdest start we've ever seen.
The men are on the starting line. It seems there are 26 men who will start just ahead of the masses...
The men's race will begin at 9:50AM. We'll have more when the race begins.
Women's Race back to top
Mile 26 (2:21:34), Finish (2:22:48). Mary Keitany has run her fastest time ever at New York and the second-fastest time for any woman at New York. Incredible is all we can say. Vivian Cheruiyot stays strong for second place in 2:26:02. Shalane Flanagan takes third place in 2:26:22. Other Americans finish very well: Molly Huddle 4th in 2:26:44, Desiree Linden 6th in 2:27:51 and Allie Kieffer in 2:28:12.
Mile 25 (2:16:15). Keitany will win, by a lot. Flanagan has moved into third place, great job...
Mile 24 (2:11:06). Keitany is now 2:34 ahead and is on pace for running the second fastest time ever at New York... Cheruiyot in seconds place has almost a thirty seconds cushion ahead of third place. Flanagan is within 5 seconds of overtaking Tusa in third place....
Mile 22 (2:00:34), Mile 23 (2:05:47). Mary Keitany continues to build on her lead, now 2:16 ahead of second place. Vivian Cheruiyot has moved in to second place ahead of a slowing Rahma Tusa. Shalane Flanagan is running strong in fourth place and although 16 seconds behind Tusa is running strong and we'll expect her to sneak in to finish third. Molly Huddle is running in fifth 32 seconds behind Flanagan. Linden is running comfortably and strongly in sixth position 1:02 behind Huddle. Daska in 7th place is slowing and Kieffer, now in 8th place is gaining. Our prediction for the Americans: Flanagan 3rd, Huddle 4th, Linden 6th, Kieffer 7th...
Mile 21 (1:55:29). Keitany now has a 1:27 lead on second place Tusa. Keitany's last split of 5:01 compares to Tusa's split of 5:35 - Keitany continues to build a cushion. Barring any extraordinary situation, Keitany will easily win. Gudeta is fading with a 5:47 last mile to push her back to 5th place. Cheruiyot's 5:19 last mile show she is quickly closing in on second place. Flanagan with a 5:26 mile is strong, and Huddle with a 5:32 mile is also moving up. Of the other runners, we will comment that Allie Kiefer - currently in 10th place - has notched a 5:23 last mile split, the third fastes of all of the women... with 5 miles to go, watch Kiefer move up a few places to the end of the race.
Mile 19 (1:45:28), Mile 20 (1:50:28). Keitany continues to notch sub-5:00 miles and she has opened up a 54 second lead on her next competitor. Rahma Tusa is running alone in second place, but looks to be struggling a bit. Netsanet Gudaeta is 28 seconds behind Tusa. Behind, the women are spread out with only Vivian Cheruiyot, Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle and Mamitu Dask in any position to advance to a possible podium finish.
30K (1:43:42). Wow, Mary Keitany has surged and Rahma Tusa has faltered. Keitany IS the best marathoner in the world - she is going to win.
Mile 18 (1:40:34). Another sub-5:00 mile has caused Netsanet Gudeta to fall back...
Mile 17 (1:35:36). What? A 4:55 mile?!? Someone is going to falter - they can not run like that... The gap behind the lead three has increased to 36 seconds. But there are nine miles to go....
Mile 16 (1:30:41). The last two miles for the lead women were 5:08 and 5:09 - really fast! Mary Keitany seems to be trying to show her two competitors that they should fear her, but they are hanging on. Vivian Cheruiyot is 22 seconds behind. And three seconds behind Cheruiyot are Mamitu Dask, Shalane Flanagan and Molly Huddle. That last group includes one woman who has won the race and two women who have finished in third plae - there is experience there.
Mile 15 (1:25:32). Three women have broken away from the others: Rahma Tusa (ETH), Netsanet Gudeta (ETH) and Mary Keitany (KEN). They are starting the approach and uphill onto the 59th St. Bridge . Eleven seconds behind Shalane Flanagan, Vivian Cheruiyot, Molly Huddle and Mamitu Daska. This lead three and the following four are the ones who will compete for the podium. The two Ethiopians in the front are less experiences and Mary Keitany looks like she is working hard. It is possible that this lead group might blow up - or one or two will continue to the win and runner-up spots.
Mile 14 (1:20:24). The last mile was passed in 5:14, the fastest mile yet in this race. And the lead pack is dropping runners. Des Linden is off the back.
Mile 12 (1:09:49), 20K (1:12:08), Mile 13 (1:15:10), Halfway (1:15:49). The pace has been increasing slightly and we are sure now the finish time will be sub-2:30. Nine women remain in the lead including three Americans: Des Linden, Shalane Flanagan and Molly Huddle.
Mile 11 (1:04:28). Still 9 women in the lead group - running across the road with no clear leader. Mary Keitany looks like she is just jogging, biding her time. Three Americans still remain in the front pack: Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle and Desi Linden.
Mile 10 (58:50). The pace has picked up a bit and there are now only 9 women in the lead pack.
Mile 8 (47:32), Mile 9 (53:20), 15K (55:08). The pace remains conservative, 20 seconds slower than the previous year and on track toward a low to mid-2:30s finish (but they will speed up). Desi Linden is trying to get the runners to pick it up and is running ahead of the others. Now 21 women in the lead group.
Mile 7 (41:42). Still 23 runners. This is a conservative pace...
Mile 6 (35:56), 10K (37:05). Desi Linden is setting the pace. She does that often. But it is also a slow pace.
The 23 women in the lead pack: Netsanet Gudeta (ETH),Rahma Tusa (ETH),Mamitu Daska (ETH),Desiree Linden (USA),Lisa Weightman (AUS),Brittany Charboneau (USA),Shalane Flanagan (USA),Mary Keitany (KEN),Allie Kieffer (USA),Molly Huddle (USA),Adriana Aparecida Da Silva (BRA),Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN),Roberta Groner (USA),Stephanie Bruce (USA),Belaynesh Fikadu (ETH),Carrie Dimoff (USA),Sydney Devore (USA),Samantha Bluske (USA),Gerda Steyn (RSA),Sarah Sellers (USA),Kelsey Bruce (USA),Meseret Ali Basa (ETH),Beverly Ramos (PUR).
Mile 5 (30:11). Weird. The pace is slow. There is a tailwind, the weather is cool. But the race is now 8 seconds behind the split at 5 miles in 2017 and more than a minute slower than the split in 2016 (but we won't talk much more about 2016 - that was a strange year!). In any case, this is shaping up to look like it will be a tactial race.
Mile 4 (24:22). Stephanie Bruce has again taken over the leadership role a few steps ahead of the others. But all of a sudden we note that the pace has slowed a bit. A 24th woman has joined the lead pack.
Mile 3 (18:12), 5K (18:45). 23 women running together - spread out all the all the way across the road. That last comment is indicative of the good weather: if there were a head wind, the women would be lined up letting some break the wind for others. With a tailwind, there is no advantage to run that way, and better to give yourself a bit of room. Also of note, only one woman is wearing a hat of any type, and only two women are wearing gloves and arm warmers - it is great weather.
Mile 2 (12:25). It appears that there are about 22 women at the front. Stephanie Bruce continued to lead and now sharing the lead with Desi Linden. Note the 2017 2-mile point was passed in 12:41. Interesting, but not really indicative of anything. Or is it?
Mile 1 (6:41). Stephanie Bruce started running in the front a few meters ahead of all others - perhaps feeling that the slow uphill pace was too slow. But the 6:41 first uphill mile is pretty typical. In 2017, the first mile was 6:43.. Of course in 2016 when Mary Keitany tried to crush the record, the first mile was run in 6:28. But whatever is happening at this point is just prologue to the rest of the day.
The women have started. The first mile has runners running uphil over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and mile 2 is down the bridge. There is typically nothing much to coment on the race for the first few miles...
The women are on the start line. It looks like about 27 women have lined up in the elite field to start ahead of the other runners. These are the only women eligible for prize money and they start 30 minutes ahead of the open field to ensure they will cross the finish line before anyone else.
The women's race will begin at 9:20AM. Stay tuned here for updates as soon as the race begins.
Coverage Homepage
Post Race:
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Pre-Race:
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Men's Preview & Starter List
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Women's Preview & Starter List
Head-to-Heads: Elite Athlete Past Matchups
Extras:
Pace Calculator/Pace Guide/Viewing |
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Press Releases |
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Featured Book/Movie:
Run For Your Life |
A Race Like No Other
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