Trail-blazing Keitany, Kipsang win New York City Marathon

Kenya's Wilson Kipsang celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the Pro Men's division during the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon in Central Park on November 2, 2014, New York City. Kipsang won his maiden New York Marathon on debut to claim the 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Kimetto, who was also in contention for the WMM after his Berlin victory, watched from the sidelines as the 2014 London Marathon winner Kipsang won the Series to be line for the Sh45m reward.
  • Kipsang beat Kimetto by a point after his Sunday victory brought his tally to 76 points. Ethiopian athletes Lelisa Dedisa and Gebregziabher Gebremariam second and third in 2:11:06 and 2:12:13.

Kenya’s former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang won his maiden New York Marathon on debut to claim the 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors Sunday.

But it was also Mary Keitany’s terrific comeback from giving birth to her second child to also clinch her first New York City Marathon in her third attempt.

Kipsang, who lost his world marathon record (2:03:23) to Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57) last month at Berlin Marathon, clocked 2:10:59.

Kimetto, who was also in contention for the WMM after his Berlin victory, watched from the sidelines as the 2014 London Marathon winner Kipsang won the Series to be line for the Sh45m reward.

Kipsang beat Kimetto by a point after his Sunday victory brought his tally to 76 points. Ethiopian athletes Lelisa Dedisa and Gebregziabher Gebremariam second and third in 2:11:06 and 2:12:13.

The WMM presentation that was to happen after the race was postponed after the women’s winner, Rita Jeptoo, who retained her Boston and Chicago Marathon titles, tested positive to a banned substance.

CLEARED OF DOPING
Keitany, the 2011 and 2012 London marathon champion, brushed aside stiff challenge from Jemima Jelagat Sumgong in the last 700m after having stayed shoulder-to-shoulder in the last seven kilometres to win in 2:25:07.

After staying together past the 38km mark at sub 2:13 and 40km at 2:17, Sumgong, who won the 2013 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:23:27, pulled her punches to take a five metres lead to cruse past 41km in 2:20 with Keitany in pursuit.

But Keitany, the 2009 World Half Marathon, who failed to defend her London Marathon after taking a maternal leave, responded in kind with 700m remaining as Sumgong, who started to curve in looked over her shoulders in submission.

Sumgong, who finished second during the 2012 Boston Marathon, would play the bridesmaid for a second place in 2:25:09 losing to Keitany.

The 32-year-old Keitany was competing in her third race after return from birth. She won the Ottawa 10km race and Bupa Great North Run in August and September respectively.

Sumgong herself had a positive test in 2012 for cortisone but was subsequently cleared by doping authorities because she was given the cortisone injection for a hip injury.